Introduction

Last month, NVIDIA's GeForce GTX 780 launched with great success. The card uses the same Kepler GK110 GPU we've seen on the GTX Titan, but with fewer shaders. The new GPU and NVIDIA's new Boost 2.0 algorithm allow the card to offer significant performance improvements over the GeForce GTX 680.



The ASUS GeForce GTX 780 DirectCU II OC introduces a completely new DirectCU heatsink that promises better cooling performance. It also has a revamped PCB design that increases the number of power phases to ten.

With 889 MHz, clocks are only increased slightly. Memory clock is unchanged. Exact pricing isn't finalized yet, but ASUS is looking at USD 699 as the most realistic price point.

Packaging

Contents

You will receive:

• Graphics card
• Driver CD + documentation
• PCI-Express power cable
• Long SLI bridge

The Card

The new ASUS DirectCU II cooler is big, red, and menacing. I like it. ASUS has also put a backplate on their card, which provides additional protection against damage while looking great. Height of the card is 14.5 cm and length is 28.5 cm.


Installing the card requires two slots in your system.


Display connectivity options include two DVI ports, one HDMI port, and one DisplayPort. You may use all outputs at the same time, so triple-monitor surround gaming is possible with one card.

The GPU also includes an HDMI sound device. It is HDMI 1.4a compatible, which includes HD audio and Blu-ray 3D movies support.


Two SLI connectors are available, which would allow you to combine up to four GTX 780 cards in a Triple-SLI, multi-GPU configuration. NVIDIA limited the GTX 780 to Triple-SLI only, while Quad SLI is supported by the GTX Titan.


Pictured above are the front and back, showing the disassembled board. High-res versions are also available (front, back). If you choose to use these images for voltmods, etc., please include a link back to this site, or let us post your article.