ASUS Launches ENGTX275 Series Graphics Cards with Fuse Protection Technology

[alexp999]

ASUS, world-leading producer of top quality graphic solutions, has today introduced the ASUS ENGTX275/HTDI/896MD3 that incorporates the latest generation of NVIDIA GPUs, the GeForce GTX 275. In line with ASUS' commitment to providing users with the best possible computing experience, the ENGTX275/HTDI/896MD3 comes equipped with 3 sets of Fuse Protection devices to guarantee doubled defense against over-current for risk-free computing. Additionally, with the inclusion of the EMI Shield, covered chokes, low RDS(on) MOSFETs, and solid capacitors, users will achieve extreme performance and peace of mind at the same time. Furthermore, to show that ASUS cares for all gamers, the ENGTX275 Series graphics cards will come bundled with a special coupon to obtain up to $25 or 10% off on a total of 5 games or CUDA applications at the NZONE webpage.




Fuse Protection Enables Totally Risk-Free Computing
Traditionally, graphics cards are equipped with controllers for over-current protection. If these controllers malfunction, an over-current can seriously damage components on the card, resulting in a significant or even total loss of performance. The ASUS ENGTX275 Series is just the first of ASUS' graphics cards to come equipped with a second over-current protection device—Fuse Protection, that eliminates any chance of an excessive or dangerous temperature rise in the conductors on the graphics card. With three sets of input fuses present on the circuit board of the ENGTX275/HTDI/896MD3, at least one of these sets will "break" to interrupt the flow of electrical current if the over-current protection controllers malfunction. With this double protection, users can enjoy risk-free and long-lasting computing—only with ASUS graphics cards.

Ultimate Armaments: The Finest Component Selections
Keeping in line with ASUS' Rock Solid promise for quality, the ENGTX275 Series will come equipped with several solutions to help deliver top quality visual performances. With the EMI shield, 66% of EMI Interference is reduced for more stable signals; while Covered Chokes guarantee more power efficiency and less heat generation in comparison to traditional Toroidal Coil Chokes. Additionally, the low RDS(on) MOSFETs lower temperatures by up to 15°C in comparison to traditional thick versions; and last but not least, the use of solid capacitors reduces power loss for more stable operations and durability—even under long-term use. Therefore, users will be able to enjoy extreme performances and have peace of mind—only with the ASUS ENGTX275 Series.

Value-added Coupon Offer to All Gamers
To further provide users with added gaming value, the ASUS ENGTX275 Series graphics cards will now come with a limited edition coupon. This coupon will allow them to obtain up to $25 in value or 10% off on up to 5 games or CUDA applications at the NZONE webpage. With over 200 game titles like Fallout 3, Far Cry 2 and Call of Duty: World at War, users will be spoiled for choice for the hottest and latest games. The latest CUDA applications like Badaboom are also offered on the site for users interested in unlocking the true power of their graphic card's GPU cores to help accelerate the most demanding graphical tasks.

Speak Visual with Graphics Plus
The ASUS ENGTX275 Series graphics cards are also outfitted with CUDA technology that not only provides world-class gaming experiences, but also offers the brand new Graphics Plus pack enhancements. Users can experience jaw-dropping PhysX gaming effects, Stereoscopic 3D, and lightning-fast video and image processing all accelerated by the GPU. Regardless of whether users are experiencing new worlds of realistic physical motion and massively destructible environments, strapping on their GeForce 3D Vision glasses to experience true Stereoscopic 3D gaming, transcoding HD videos to portable video players in minutes, or rapidly editing digital images using Adobe CS4, the ASUS ENGTX275 Series graphics cards is able to do it all.



Source: ASUS

[REVHEAD]

ASUS cares for all gamers

Thats a joke right bwhahahahaha.

[OnBoard]

I'd think if you break the fuse you also break the warranty and have a non working card But yes it could be nice if the fan on the card break and then a fuse saves rest of it. Though you'd still have to send it to warranty to get a new one, now they'll just solder a new fuse and be done with it.

Seems more like a cost saving thing to them than anything new for user.

[Basard]

this would be cool.... kinda... if the fuses were removable, like normal fuses..... instead you have to get out a soldering iron and crap....

it's no different than any other car now.... it's just saves asus money basically, because instead of a card being dead when it's rma'd, it just needs a fuse replaced.... which, i guess, saves us money too... right? in theory, but i think it just saves THEM money, and we keep up with same price.

they need to add a zif socket to video cards.... so you can keep your old RAM and pwm assembly, just pop in a new gpu ...

Originally Posted by REVHEAD

Thats a joke right bwhahahahaha.

Dont be a troll please.

I love ASUS lineups, I mean my 8800GT TOP was awesome. Heard their customer service is spot on too.

Another nice product from ASUS me thinks.

[Bjorn_Of_Iceland]

Originally Posted by kyle2020

I love ASUS lineups, I mean my 8800GT TOP was awesome. Heard their customer service is spot on too...

Not true for the mobo side of things though.

For Asus' video card price, Id rather get an evga.. more boons there.

Originally Posted by Bjorn_Of_Iceland

Not true for the mobo side of things though.

For Asus' video card price, Id rather get an evga.. more boons there.

what, customer service elated or their line up of boards?

[Bjorn_Of_Iceland]

Originally Posted by kyle2020

what, customer service elated or their line up of boards?

RoG. Striker II Formula. Customer service representative at the other line was really oblivious as to what I was talking about (the LAN boost feature that was present on their Striker Extreme was not found in Striker II Formula). Had to explain everything like A-B-C kinda way. In the end I gave up and kinda like told her "ok, I thanks for the help. I guess I'll look on this matter on my own" (well something like that. forgot the exact way I told it).

But then again, just like any support center, customer service representative skillz still depend if the person on the other side is skillful or not (I got a chinese like CSR.. probably an outsourced employee)

[Dippyskoodlez]

I'm still trying to figure out what the heck those fuses are for.

If they wanted to sell the idea to enthusiasts, wouldnt a "breaker switch" be a lot more attractive?

Perhaps if these fuses serve a *useful* purpose, maybe they're replacable through some soldering work?

[Haytch]

I did a customer service course a while back, and basically i came to the conclusion that i could never work in a call centre environment (Ill much rather be the bastard on the other end).
Long story short, i came to realize that the person that initially answers the phone, almost always knows jack shit about anything. . . Thats why they always pass you off to someone when the standard protocols dictated to them fail.

I have delt with Asus many times, and upon every occassion ive asked to speak to the appropriate contact and had my issue resolved. Asus do indeed have a great customer support program, like most of the other companies we deal with, just need to have a cool/demanding head.

Besides, it ALWAYS works in the customers favour if the support team have no idea what they are on about. Compensation rocks.
I believe the greater majority of customer service centers are outsourced. Here in Australia i wouldnt deny that 90% of major companies are outsourced to India or Egypt.

Slapping fuses onto the GPU is a fantastic idea. Looking at the board, i personally feel they done it perfect.
Car fuses for a GPU ? Thats just silly, noobie & ugly.
Nothing wrong with having to rip out the soldering iron to replace a fuse if you went too far. Could probably pick up the fuse from Jaycar, Rc Components or their likes.

[alexp999]

Originally Posted by Dippyskoodlez

I'm still trying to figure out what the heck those fuses are for.

If they wanted to sell the idea to enthusiasts, wouldnt a "breaker switch" be a lot more attractive?

Perhaps if these fuses serve a *useful* purpose, maybe they're replacable through some soldering work?

The idea is that they are the backup protection, there is still the reference chip based protection, but in the event it fails, it will blow the fuse instead of your card.

Not sure what happens if a fuse goes though, it shows two in the picture

As per what they are saying it must mean that the card is still able to function, as obviously over voltage is probably not covered by the warranty.

[REVHEAD]

Originally Posted by kyle2020

Dont be a troll please.

I love ASUS lineups, I mean my 8800GT TOP was awesome. Heard their customer service is spot on too.

Another nice product from ASUS me thinks.

I am not a troll, I am just laughing at the statement, I have had plenty of Asus products, but the Asus of old is a farcry of the Asus today, full of gimmicks and wazoos, half of them mean nothing to the end user except a Box loaded woth sticked claiming the world, I have a Xonar 1.3 from Asus, dont even get me started on the 24P firmware debarcale, releasing a half baked product, or My Rampage extreme RMA trip from hell, half the time they dont even know or listen to the problems, then we have Bios support for motherboards that cease to be released once a new product line is refreshed or released.

[AsRock]

Originally Posted by Dippyskoodlez

I'm still trying to figure out what the heck those fuses are for.

If they wanted to sell the idea to enthusiasts, wouldnt a "breaker switch" be a lot more attractive?

Perhaps if these fuses serve a *useful* purpose, maybe they're replacable through some soldering work?

Was thinking the same thing a breaker switch would be MUCH better and this just seems like it's just to get your self screwed or \and save there asses in cost of other parts getting killed.