Unboxing the ASUS GeForce GTX 680 graphics card

 

ASUS has just released the GTX 680 graphics card, signaling an expansion of their 28nm performance segment with the arrival of the first NVIDIA GPU to use the latest fabrication technology.

Codenamed “Kepler” in honour of astronomer and physicist Johannes Kepler, the GTX 680 design brings NVIDIA into the 28nm race alongside current offerings based on AMD technology – such as the ASUS HD 7870 and HD 7970.

Spec ops

Leaner and meaner, the GTX 680 upgrades performance significantly compared to its closest predecessor, the GTX 580. It utilizes the 28nm-transistored GK104 GPU, which only needs a modest 195W TDP to reach peak performance, considerably reducing the energy demand compared to the previous generation. At the same time, the 256-bit interface and 2GB of 6008MHz GDDR5 memory partner with 1536 CUDA cores to offer impressive DX11 output via PCI Express 3.0. And when I say impressive, I mean running even the most demanding of current games with walk in the park ease – just like its AMD peers, the 28nm ASUS GTX 680 was basically designed for ultra HD (4K, or 2x 1080p) gaming, though it will be a while before we take advantage of that. By which point, I’d wager even more powerful graphics cards will have come along!

Well fit

The card we’re looking at here is a pure reference design from a build perspective, with one fan and a shroud that touches the PCB all around for a nice and neat boxy look, which I personally prefer. ASUS will likely provide us with homemade variants of this powerful platform, but I can’t confirm anything at this point.

One thing I do like about reference cards is that they are meant for mass consumption, and therefore use more realistic measurements than some of the custom versions out on the market. The ASUS GTX 680 requires two expansion slots, which has been the standard for all mid-range and up cards since at least 2009. Well, this is much better than a triple-slot colossus. Also, it’s “only” 10.08” (25.60cm) long, allowing it to fit easily into almost any micro ATX and of course any ATX case.

You only need two 6-pin power connectors to drive the GTX 680. Again, this is more reasonable than a 6-pin plus 8-pin configuration, and goes to show that the trend continues to be more performance for less energy spent.

Challenging the clock

NVIDIA has added GPU Boost and Boost Clock to the card BIOS. This allows it to modify clock speeds instantly based on system load. This isn’t the usual 300MHz 2D/900MHz 3D etc. we’ve seen many times before, as the clocking range is much wider here. Within performance applications, you also get an instant 5% overclock from the base 1006MHz core speed to 1058MHz, with no intervention on your part. Even in really massive games, that’s an extra couple frames per second, so we can’t complain.

As this card is obviously more amenable to overclocking, the bundled ASUS GPU Tweak utility should come in handy, offering an even wider core and video memory tuning range, as well as core overvolting, fan speed controls, multiple profiles you can define to suit individual games and applications, integrated GPU-Z from Techpowerup, and an on-screen monitoring widget. This version of GPU Tweak also maintains the 2D/3D mode locking we discussed before, so you can set it to all-3D during benchmarks to keep scores from dipping into the realm of 2D.

Smoother operator

NVIDIA is also talking about their new Adaptive Vertical Sync technology, debuting on this card. I too thought this was a little odd, as vsync is hardly a new thing. But what they mean is that the GPU is programmed to intelligently detect whether vsync is needed in each game, turning it on or off accordingly. First of all, this saves you manually adjusting vsync in game menus. But more importantly, it optimizes card resources. Vsync does require processing power, and does add strain to the system. It has historically been associated with a compromise in frame rate, limiting you to the screen’s refresh rate even though your PC was capable of much more, or causing a further reduction in smoothness in less powerful setups, which had to struggle to keep games synced with the screen. At the same time, frame rates spiking beyond your screen’s comfort zone may cause the dreaded screen tearing treatment. Adaptive Vertical Sync eliminates all these issues in one fell swoop, and will likely be incorporated in many cards in future. It keeps card output and screen display in more perfect synergy at all times, so neither screen tearing nor frame rate dead zones need bother you ever again. Being a new feature, it remains to be seen how this will work with individual games, but I believe the end result is an overall smoother experience. Nobody likes screen tearing that rips you out of an immersive session, and you won’t be able to find many gamers who are enthusiastic about their action transforming into an impromptu slideshow, so let’s hear it for 28nm power.

Now let’s take a look at the handful of pics I managed to snap of this powerhouse of a graphics card.

 

Yes, it has finally come to pass. ASUS graphics cards no longer feature my friends the knight and the warhorse, who have decided to retire and are now sipping mojitos somewhere sunny. I don’t think they really have the disposition for that, so they may well return. Say hello to the new design – “Claws”!

 

On the back we have a quick guide to all the new features of the card, from both ASUS and NVIDIA, highlighting GPU Tweak, Adaptive Vertical Sync, and GPU Boost.

 

The card ships in the usual sturdy ASUS packaging, so don’t worry about DOA surprises…

 

Here is the beast, looking lovely in exactly the kind of clean and simple design that I crave so much.

 

On the side, you get your two SLI fingers and two 6-pin connectors. Make sure you pair this card with a 600W min power supply to be on the safe side of stable. Or is it the stable side of safe?

 

The front is totally closed off, ensuring heat gets pushed out the back rather than into the case.

 

Two DVI, one HDMI, one DisplayPort. Talk about well connected.

 

So if you’re a GeForce follower, here’s your card. Welcome to the 28nm era. Let us know what you think in the comments section, we may read it while taking time off from gaming in NVIDIA 3D Vision.