[demigod]

Correct 1400MHz is the absolute max the very best cards will do for benchmarking only, game stable will be 1250-1350MHz on cards with 8+6 pin power and about 1100-1200MHz on 6+6 pin cards.

Damn, kicking myself now because I didn't get the Gigabyte. The Asus one is only 6+6 pin.

[Fallout-NL]

Damn, kicking myself now because I didn't get the Gigabyte. The Asus one is only 6+6 pin.

A dutch review said that the Asus actually had better results in FPS tests at lower clock speeds. So I wouldn't worry too much. It was also the most quiet. Where'd you get the Asus card anyway, they haven't been sighted yet, have they?

[demigod]

Don't have it, just quoting the guy from OcUK.

[Refreshment.01]

What a f*cking great card the 670 is. People upgrading most be in blessed land right now. Enjoy the moment to its fullest as we don't tend to get similar ones for years.

Good, good stuff.

So the AMD reply was the 3 games thing, disappointing.

[Fallout-NL]

Right, just made a phone call to informatique.nl and ordered the Asus 670 DirectCU II TOP.

Never before have I spent such a fortune on a graphics card. But whatever, seems like the best possible card you can buy right now.

[Mystery]

Is maintaining water cooling a hassle? I've built PCs for years, but never went there.

It's easy if you make plans for maintenance from the very beginning. My first loop was nice and clean, but I neglected to create a T-Line for easy draining and my bay reservoir tubing was a bit too short, so pulling it out to fill it was almost impossible.

Also, if it's your first time, just be prepared to have a highly volatile system for the first few days. Even after leak checking for 24 hours, slow leaks can still appear, and if there's any sort of strange stress or twisting on your tubing it can slowly come loose.

Once it's up and stable, though, you will never want to go back to the loud, hot air cooling solutions of past.

[demigod]

Right, just made a phone call to informatique.nl and ordered the Asus 670 DirectCU II TOP. Never before have I spent such a fortune on a graphics card. But whatever, seems like the best possible card you can buy right now.

Preorder? When do they expect shipment?

[sammich]

Ok i guess this settles it. The Asus 670 DirectCU II TOP for me.. Now i have to find it in Toronto somewhere. I havent found any direct comparisons, but i assume this will consume less power, put out less heat, less noise and be a hell of a lot faster than my 6870?

Now to go hunting..

[Fallout-NL]

Preorder? When do they expect shipment?

Yeah, a preorder. They didn't really know when to expect it, but they'll give me a call when I can come pick it up.

Still need to order the rest of my build anyway, so I'm not in any rush.

[Wortany]

I'm really thinking of buying a 670, I'm just not sure which one to buy. What are the differences between the ASUS GTX 670 DirectCU II TOP and the Gigabyte GTX 670 OC. If there are any huge benefits for one or the other.

Cause, I can't really find a place where they compare the two. And the Gigabytes are easily available in my region....for now.

Also, I'm coming from a 460 SLI. They've been great and I got them very cheap at the time, which would make this upgrade a little bit pointless (performance/price ratio).

[sn1pes]

I'm really thinking of buying a 670, I'm just not sure which one to buy. What are the differences between the ASUS GTX 670 DirectCU II TOP and the Gigabyte GTX 670 OC. If there are any huge benefits for one or the other. Cause, I can't really find a place where they compare the two. And the Gigabytes are easily available in my region....for now. Also, I'm coming from a 460 SLI. They've been great and I got them very cheap at the time, which would make this upgrade a little bit pointless (performance/price ratio).

I think that the consensus is that the Gigabyte will perform very similar to the ASUS.

[Credo]

I'm really thinking of buying a 670, I'm just not sure which one to buy. What are the differences between the ASUS GTX 670 DirectCU II TOP and the Gigabyte GTX 670 OC. If there are any huge benefits for one or the other. Cause, I can't really find a place where they compare the two. And the Gigabytes are easily available in my region....for now. Also, I'm coming from a 460 SLI. They've been great and I got them very cheap at the time, which would make this upgrade a little bit pointless (performance/price ratio).

Here are the reviews I posted earlier:

Gigabyte (also EVGA): http://hothardware.com/Reviews/NVIDI...gabyte/?page=1

ASUS: http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/A..._Direct_Cu_II/

It seems like the ASUS card is more powerful, but Gigabyte's card runs a little cooler. Still, both are very powerful and run cool, and both seem to run quietly based on what I read on other forums.

And then, this was mentioned in our thread:

From the early hands on on overclock.net, its safe to say the Gigabyte Windforce 3x should be just as good as the asus dc2 top.

and in response to that...

Yup. TPU uses a different bench setup. The 2 cards should be extremely similar.

[joeygreco1985]

The Gigabytes are a bitch to find in Canada, mine got back ordered and won't ship out until next Thursday now (assuming they don't get delayed)

[Shambles]

The Gigabytes are a bitch to find in Canada, mine got back ordered and won't ship out until next Thursday now (assuming they don't get delayed)

Looks like it's in stock here: http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...?EdpNo=2585856

[taranatar]

Handy little info here from OCuk.

To make your buying decision easier, here are the models which all under each PCB type:- Short PCB - NVIDIA Reference design - Approx 1250MHz max aircooled core clock Palit / Gainward (including Jetstream & Phantom) EVGA including Superclock (Seem to be best overclocking reference design cards) KFA2 Reference MSI OC OcUK Long PCB - GTX 680 PCB Design - Approx 1400MHz max aircooled core clock Asus GTX 670 DirectCU2 (2x 6pin power) Gigabyte GTX 670 WindForce 3X (8+6pin power) KFA2 GTX 670 EX OC (8+6pin power)

[TheThunder]

Stock either the Asus or Gigabyte already amazon...

[RS4-]

I take it that the none reference heatsinks like the Asus/Giga are probably going to be a brutal for mobos rotated 90 degrees, yeah?

Or was that a whole YMMV thing.

[demigod]

Handy little info here from OCuk.

He changed it, the Asus won't overclock to 1400mhz. I'm still going to get the Asus, just hope the delay isn't too long.

[XOMTOR]

God that Asus "Top" GTX 670 is sweet. Still running SLI GTX 260's but plan to upgrade this year. I assume that if my PSU can handle OC'd 260's in SLI, it'll be fine with SLI'd 670's. My PSU is 700w so I should be good right?

Also, my i5-750 @ 3.8Ghz shouldn't be a bottleneck should it?

[Metal-Geo]

Right, just made a phone call to informatique.nl and ordered the Asus 670 DirectCU II TOP. Never before have I spent such a fortune on a graphics card. But whatever, seems like the best possible card you can buy right now.

Hah. You'll have to wait in line buddy. I pre-ordered two of those at Informatique yesterday. :D

[Phoenixazure]

Would've liked to have known about the difference between the 670 versions from different manufactorers. That said, my EVGA 670 should still be a substancial upgrade from my 4850x2 (also helps im building a new computer as well. first intel computer build im doing after being amd/ati all my life), i'll just keep an eye out for the Asus one in the distant future when i feel like getting a 2nd card to SLI the more intensive games later on.

[joeygreco1985]

The Gigabytes are a bitch to find in Canada, mine got back ordered and won't ship out until next Thursday now (assuming they don't get delayed)

Looks like it's in stock here: http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...?EdpNo=2585856

Nope. I ordered mine from Tigerdirect.ca, that is the exact page I ordered mine from. Its back ordered but they won't update their page to say so, instead saying "It will ship within 7-10 business days". Sneaky bastards.

[RS4-]

Tigerdirect is probably one of the worst retailers when it comes to PC parts and such.

[Shambles]

Nope. I ordered mine from Tigerdirect.ca, that is the exact page I ordered mine from. Its back ordered but they won't update their page to say so, instead saying "It will ship within 7-10 business days". Sneaky bastards.

Thanks for the heads up. I'm still trying to find a direct Asus Gigabyte comparison. If the windforce comes close to the DC2 in cooling/noise I might just go for one of those instead since Asus is taking too long getting their product out. The DC2 definitely looks much better though but it'll be hidden in a case anyways.

[mkenyon]

Would've liked to have known about the difference between the 670 versions from different manufactorers. That said, my EVGA 670 should still be a substancial upgrade from my 4850x2 (also helps im building a new computer as well. first intel computer build im doing after being amd/ati all my life), i'll just keep an eye out for the Asus one in the distant future when i feel like getting a 2nd card to SLI the more intensive games later on.

Careful with SLI'ing two wildly different cards. Can cause some major headaches, and you'll lose the overhead from the better card if they do end up working well together as everything scales down to the lowest common denominator.

Tigerdirect is probably one of the worst retailers when it comes to PC parts and such.

Only for launchday stuff, they just don't update their website fast enough. Customer service and special sales are generally really good. Not NCIX levels, but certainly on par with newegg.

[Phoenixazure]

Careful with SLI'ing two wildly different cards. Can cause some major headaches, and you'll lose the overhead from the better card if they do end up working well together as everything scales down to the lowest common denominator.

Alrighty. Thanks for the heads up.

[n0n44m]

I BLAME ALL OF YOU



now to find a good home for my GTX480 (and recoup some €€€)

for the Dutchies, Alternate.nl has still some more Gigabyte OCs in stock it seems

I ordered as soon as I saw that they were genuine 680 PCB (but with 5 instead of 4 phases and 6+8 pin connectors) so compatible with 680 waterblocks (EK at least). The Asus DC II has a completely custom PCB btw, but is also a great card of course.

damn lot of money, but this should make 120 hz 1080p gaming absolutely bliss for the next few years ;) [and a 690 would've been another €200 more...]

[Fallout-NL]

Hah. You'll have to wait in line buddy. I pre-ordered two of those at Informatique yesterday. :D

Damn you :D

[Zulithe]

gigabyte in stock on amazon :)

i'm still holding out for asus.

was it in stock at all today?

[Domcorleone]

I just ordered the gigabyte, hopefully i dont feel like a fool when the asus drops...

[rhfb]

I'd get the Gigabyte, but that blue color would not go well with my planned rig. The Asus' red/black is a much better fit.

[faceless007]

Hmm, in stock at Amazon, but my order from yesterday still says they don't have an estimated ship date. WHHYYYYYYYYY

[Credo]

I just ordered the gigabyte, hopefully i dont feel like a fool when the asus drops...

I'm in the same boat, Dom. I think I've made peace with the gigabyte though since it seems to be at least 2nd best.

[ksimm]

Hmmm I have an Asus HD5850 DirectCU running at 850mhz along with a 4.2ghz I7, the 670 looks really tempting!

I've always had Nvidia except for the last 2 generations were a switch to AMD, I wonder what sort of performance jump this will provide me? I know my current card is holding my system back.

[faceless007]

Amazon says in stock but I'm pretty sure they're not actually getting them till Monday. If you try to order one and pick Next Day shipping, it says estimated delivery Tuesday.

[Domcorleone]

Amazon says in stock but I'm pretty sure they're not actually getting them till Monday. If you try to order one and pick Next Day shipping, it says estimated delivery Tuesday.

Thats even better, that means if the ASUS drops between now and Monday I can cancel! YAY!

[Lord-Audie]

Dunno if i should wait for Asus.

Also have to sell my cards..

WHAT TO DO...

[Khal_B]

I'm so tempted to grab that Gigabyte 670...gosh why is ASUS taking so long to get their stuff out?

[Domcorleone]

I'm so tempted to grab that Gigabyte 670...gosh why is ASUS taking so long to get their stuff out?

grab the card amazon probably wont charge until monday, hopefully the asus drops today or tomorrow

[Domcorleone]

Does anyone know what kind of jump I can expect from 580 lightning xtreme 3gb to the gigabyte or asus 670? I want uber on my witcher 2 damnit!

[TheCrow]

Yeah, I'm leaving work early today.

[Domcorleone]

Yeah, I'm leaving work early today.

what card did you grab?

[Wortany]

I think that the consensus is that the Gigabyte will perform very similar to the ASUS.

Here are the reviews I posted earlier: Gigabyte (also EVGA): http://hothardware.com/Reviews/NVIDI...gabyte/?page=1 ASUS: http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/A..._Direct_Cu_II/ It seems like the ASUS card is more powerful, but Gigabyte's card runs a little cooler. Still, both are very powerful and run cool, and both seem to run quietly based on what I read on other forums.

Thanks, and I saw that line in the thread, but was still looking for a more direct comparison like Shambles said.
I'll guess I'll bite at Gigabyte again (going from Gigabyte to EVGA to 2x Gigabyte and now another Gigabyte card).
Now......1 or 2....., eh who am I kidding. I don't have that kind of money for 2 :(

I BLAME ALL OF YOU now to find a good home for my GTX480 (and recoup some €€€) for the Dutchies, Alternate.nl has still some more Gigabyte OCs in stock it seems I ordered as soon as I saw that they were genuine 680 PCB (but with 5 instead of 4 phases and 6+8 pin connectors) so compatible with 680 waterblocks (EK at least). The Asus DC II has a completely custom PCB btw, but is also a great card of course. damn lot of money, but this should make 120 hz 1080p gaming absolutely bliss for the next few years ;) [and a 690 would've been another €200 more...]

Zercom.eu also have a stock of 10+ remaining. Alternate.be just got some in stock today as well. But it's €20 more expensive. And there are still a lot of other Dutch sites that have them in stock.

[Firebrand]

Any word on which brands / models of this are the best regarding coil whine? In Sweclockers' test the ASUS card had none and the Zotac card had some.

My current GTX260/216 (XFX) has quite a bit and it's annoying since it's audible on speaker and headphone outputs on the motherboard.

[Zulithe]

Does anyone know what kind of jump I can expect from 580 lightning xtreme 3gb to the gigabyte or asus 670? I want uber on my witcher 2 damnit!

I don't think you are going to squeeze too many extra FPS out of a 670 for withcher + ubersampling if that is your goal

http://www.hardware.fr/articles/866-...d-edition.html

*edit* stock of evga regular & SC on amazon again (requires 1-2 days processing)... if anyone wants those!

stock seems to be a lot better than 680... a lot... hopefully we are near the end of the shortage

[sk3tch]

Heh I wonder if I should just "upgrade" to quad-SLI 4GB 670s...probably save money switching from my 680s! Not in stock, yet - but I'm guessing in the next couple of weeks.

[TheCrow]

what card did you grab?

Gigabyte. Only other option was asus but why wait and possibly pay more for practically the same performance.

[Credo]

Gigabyte. Only other option was asus but why wait and possibly pay more for practically the same performance.

Mine just arrived too!

[TheCrow]

Nice. Can't wait to see what it can do.

[mkenyon]

Heh I wonder if I should just "upgrade" to quad-SLI 4GB 670s...probably save money switching from my 680s! Not in stock, yet - but I'm guessing in the next couple of weeks.

GTFO.

I'm really wary of these benchmarks. I have a distinct feeling they're all being run on different drivers which give a bit of a performance edge. I also question the OC overhead compared to 680. Equal performance or not, they're the trash binned 680s.

They also lose their performance edge the higher you go up on res compared to the 680.