Posted on Wednesday, January 09 2013 @ 18:53 CET by Thomas De Maesschalck
ASUS send out a press release with some details about the ROG ARES II, a limited edition dual-Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition graphics card with a dual-slot design. The card uses a hybrid of liquid and air cooling.
ASUS ROG presents the fastest and most powerful graphics card currently available in the form of the limited edition ARES II. Its dual HD 7970 GHz Edition GPUs and 6GB GDDR5 support the finest and smoothest PC gaming, with extra-efficient heat dissipation handled by a new hybrid thermal design that includes liquid and air cooling. ARES II fits in a space-saving 2-slot height and employs exclusive ASUS DIGI+ VRM and Super Alloy Power technologies for greater stability and product longevity. The bundled ROG Edition GPU Tweak utility gives customers direct access to graphics card overclocking and tuning, tapping ARES II power via a user-friendly interface.
Continuing the ARES legacy with collectible hardware for enthusiasts
Launched in the summer of 2010, the original ROG ARES provided a new milestone in graphics power that soon became an in-demand commodity among hardware enthusiasts and collectors. ARES II likewise debuts as a limited edition product, with only 1000 units produced. It ships in a special ROG-themed case, with each card featuring a laser-etched serial number on the aluminum backplate to denote its collectible status.
Top of the line gaming power
Within ARES II, twin HD 7970 GHz Edition GPUs provide the fastest graphics performance of any card currently on the market. Its 6GB GDDR5 video memory means smooth high-count framerates in any PC game available or forthcoming in the near future. ARES II presents the current apex of the 28nm generation in terms of graphics processing capabilities, as it can easily take on the most detailed gaming without experiencing any slowdown. The generous video memory allotment translates into support for resolutions higher than 1080p, such as WQHD or 2560 x 1440 and 2560 x 1600.
New hybrid liquid/air thermal design enables maximized performance
ARES II inaugurates a custom cooler that utilizes liquid and air cooling to achieve drastically improved heat dissipation. The hybrid design consists of a 120mm fan block that easily fits in PC cases. The fan cools a closed-cycle liquid system with a tube running to the graphics card to provide dedicated heat removal from the dual GPUs. The card itself includes an 80mm dust-proof fan to enable added cooling for critical components such as video memory and power delivery elements, as well as resist harmful dust and debris accumulation. The new design assures continuous stability even under full load, and achieves up to 31?C cooler operation compared to a reference GTX 690 while helping outperform said card by as much as 13%. The hybrid cooler saves customers the need to purchase and install additional hardware, which can be costly and risky. ARES II fits in a 2-slot height, making it accessible to most PC cases on the market. The slimmer design also keeps an extra expansion slot free on the motherboard.
DIGI+ VRM, Super Alloy Power, and GPU Tweak harness graphics might
Exclusive ASUS digital voltage regulation technology DIGI+ VRM provides more precise power delivery to bolster graphics card stability and help increase overclocking flexibility. It is joined by 20-phase Super Alloy Power architecture, consisting of heavy duty solid state capacitors, concrete-core chokes, and MOSFETs that can withstand higher temperatures and greater stress. These further improve ARES II stability and prolong its lifespan by as much as 2.5 times compared to reference cards such as the HD 7970 or GTX 690.
Customers may modify card parameters including core and memory speeds, fan performance, and voltages using the bundled ROG Edition GPU Tweak utility, all via a user-friendly interface. Multiple profiles for individual games and applications can also be set up, and GPU Tweak doubles as a monitoring program for keeping an eye on ARES II temperatures and power consumption levels.
