Thursday, August 18th 2011

ASUS Reveals the Republic of Gamers MARS II with Dual GeForce GTX 580 GPUs

The new ROG MARS II picks up where previous graphics card powerhouses from ASUS ROG left off, and continues the legacy of the finest hardware for hardcore gamers. The limited-edition card is built on twin NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580 GPUs and a mammoth 3GB of GDDR5 video memory, with a proprietary ROG design that combines extreme cooling and extensive tuning facilities that cater to the most demanding power user. It also offers colossal pixel-pushing output that is unmatched by any graphics card.
Massive dual GPU power - 22% faster performance than reference
The super-powered ROG MARS II reaches new peaks of performance - it runs 22% faster than a reference GeForce GTX 590 and offers tremendous potential. Its launch comes at a very opportune time for dedicated PC gamers, since it will be followed by the arrival this fall of several high-profile games that promise genuine next generation graphics with next generation hardware. The ROG MARS II has so much power it will be able to easily run all native DirectX 11 games in resolutions higher than 1080p and detail settings at their maximum levels. Its twin GeForce GTX 580 cores and 3GB of superfast GDDR5 video memory translate into the superlative performance that gamers are always seeking, representing a new benchmark in graphics dominance.

DirectCU II thermal design - 600% greater airflow and 20% cooler than reference
In addition to the trademark red-on-black ROG color scheme, the ROG MARS II has twin 120mm fans that move up to 600% more air than the reference GeForce GTX 590 design, yet still remain quiet even under stress. ASUS DirectCU II technology means the GPU is cooled directly with all-copper pipes and a heatsink base, resulting in 20% lower temperatures. ASUS has also incorporated a Turbo Fan button on the card itself, allowing users to instantly switch the fans to 100% speed, regardless of driver settings. This feature proves very useful in overclocking situations where heat is a factor, as does the solid aluminum shroud that conducts heat away much more efficiently than the materials used in generic graphics cards.

Enhanced with 21-phase Super Alloy Power for a 15% performance boost
The ROG MARS II incorporates exclusive ASUS Super Alloy Power technology, which utilizes a special alloy mix for power delivery components that resist heat and material fatigue far beyond the norm. For this new graphics card, ASUS has expanded the technology to a 21-phase power architecture to ensure constantly stable wattage and prevent power loss, even in the most arduous of circumstances. This guarantees the kind of extensive overclocking headroom that has never before been seen in any graphics card, much to the delight of enthusiasts. As a result, this graphics card design leads to a 15% performance boost, 2.5 times the lifespan and up to 35°C cooler performance than reference cards. Users also benefit from a patented PCI-E anti-shock sustainer that keeps the card firmly in its slot, preventing deformation as a result of heat exposure and resisting vibration if the PC case is moved.
Collectors' edition card with GPU Tweak utility

The ROG MARS II is bundled with the exclusive ASUS GPU Tweak utility, which puts users in direct control of the card's extreme hardware. It offers modification of a wide range of performance parameters, including clock speeds, voltages and fan speeds, and all are accessible via a friendly and clear user interface. The GPU Tweak utility puts the immense processing muscle of the ROG MARS II at the disposal of gamers to make an ideal overclocking environment. A laser-carved, sequentially-numbered aluminum plate certifies each card's limited edition status, making each one an icon that's sure to be coveted by collectors.

Product highlights:
  • Dual NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580 GPUs with 512 CUDA cores each and 3GB GDDR5 video memory for 22% faster than reference performance
  • Laser-carved aluminum plate identifies each card individually as a limited-edition item
  • Twin 120mm fans for up to 600% greater air flow
  • DirectCU II all-copper thermal design - 20% cooler than reference
  • GPU Tweak interface opens up extensive overclocking and tuning possibilities
  • Turbo Fan button instantly activates 100% fan speed
  • Solid aluminum shroud improves heat dissipation
  • Extra stable 21-phase Super Alloy Power architecture for incredible overclocking headroom - 15% performance boost, 2.5 times longer lifespan and 35°C cooler operation
  • Custom PCI-E anti-shock sustainer keeps the card securely in place at all times
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21 Comments on ASUS Reveals the Republic of Gamers MARS II with Dual GeForce GTX 580 GPUs

#1
Lionheart
Cutting off my arm & leg now to buy this beast ^_^
Posted on Reply
#2
Trackr
...

And 1000% marked up.
Posted on Reply
#4
Fourstaff
Trackr...

And 1000% marked up.
And the usual omgwtf this is so expensive comment :rolleyes:

Premium products are supposed to be exclusive, price or availability. You don't call MARS marked up just like you don't call Bugatti Veyron marked up, or Intel 980X marked up.
Posted on Reply
#5
Mindweaver
Moderato®™
WOW! I want 2! :eek:

@EasyRhino and Mailman you guys need to build one of these in the Mindcraft server! hehehehe It could be the power plant that fuels the Millennium Falcon! :roll::roll:
Posted on Reply
#6
etayorius
It costs twice the price of the 6990/590, and its only 10% faster than 6990... what a deal! geesh...
Posted on Reply
#7
Casecutter
It is an amazing feat of packaging to get all that on one PCB and bricked into that size. Then control the BTU's of a small floor heater. It is an achievement of Engineering merit for that alone.
Posted on Reply
#9
POGE
Can you run these in SLI or tri-SLI? Hrm they use too many slots with thier stock cooler for tri SLI, but watercooling would probably be what you'd want to go for anyways.
Posted on Reply
#10
sneekypeet
Retired Super Moderator
SLI yes, not Tri SLI. Only 4 cores max with SLI, since both are dual core, essentially SLI on these is quad SLI;)
Posted on Reply
#11
[H]@RD5TUFF
I soooo want one of these! Must find $1,500 dollars noa! :banghead:
Posted on Reply
#12
_JP_
TheMailMan78But will it run Crysis?
I think it would be entertaining to see the card reject the game, because it is too basic in the graphics department for it.
Posted on Reply
#13
WarraWarra
+1 JP,
is the 2x 6950 / 2x 6970 not going to run a near the same as this or was it 2x 6870 that is about the same performance ? Just past 6990 ?
Posted on Reply
#14
[H]@RD5TUFF
WarraWarra+1 JP,
is the 2x 6950 / 2x 6970 not going to run a near the same as this or was it 2x 6870 that is about the same performance ? Just past 6990 ?
wait what .. . . ?:wtf:
Posted on Reply
#15
jpierce55
Doesn't seem fast enough to be worth that price verses running two cards in SLI or Crossfire.
Posted on Reply
#16
[H]@RD5TUFF
jpierce55Doesn't seem fast enough to be worth that price verses running two cards in SLI or Crossfire.
It's not but it is a triumph of engineering!
Posted on Reply
#17
Zubasa
FourstaffAnd the usual omgwtf this is so expensive comment :rolleyes:

Premium products are supposed to be exclusive, price or availability. You don't call MARS marked up just like you don't call Bugatti Veyron marked up, or Intel 980X marked up.
The Veryon is a different league, all the parts are custom built for it and it certainly is one of a kind.
This card really have nothing special about the components uses, and hell this thing don't even have more memory than the reference model.
The past Ares do at lease have double the amount of memory compare to the reference card.
[H]@RD5TUFFIt's not but it is a triumph of engineering!
"Triumph" in the way that they couldn't even fit/cool 6GBs of memory because they stuff a ton of phases on this thing?
There is one thing that Asus did right, they put ample VRMs on this thing unlike the reference GTX 590.
Posted on Reply
#18
btarunr
Editor & Senior Moderator
Added News Poll.
Posted on Reply
#19
Easy Rhino
Linux Advocate
man, these console ports are gonna run like butter!!! i bet it kills in folding though.
Posted on Reply
#20
[H]@RD5TUFF
Zubasa"Triumph" in the way that they couldn't even fit/cool 6GBs of memory because they stuff a ton of phases on this thing?
There is one thing that Asus did right, they put ample VRMs on this thing unlike the reference GTX 590.
Not everyone want's a card to be over 12" long *cough* 6990 *cough*, so for the space and the power it's more like a Focus RS than a Veyron, compact but very very powerful!
Posted on Reply
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