Performance tests

Testbed:

• Intel Core i7-975 3340 MHz CPU
• ASUS P6T Deluxe motherboard on the Intel X58 chipset
• 6GB of 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM from Corsair
• WD Caviar SE WD1600JD 160GB SATA HDD
• Tagan TG900-BZ 900W PSU
• Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit, DirectX 11
• 30" Dell 3007WFP monitor
• VSync disabled
• NVIDIA Drivers 275.27, AMD Catalyst 11.5

Benchmarks:

• Far Cry 2 (Ubisoft) — DirectX 10.0, Shaders 4.0 (HDR), built-in benchmarking utility (the Middle level), maximum settings.
• Crysis Warhead (Crytek/EA) — Cargo, DirectX 10.0, Shaders 4.0, Very High settings, batch file, timedemo available by e-mail request.
• Colin McRae: DiRT 2 (Codemasters) — DirectX 11, Ultra High settings, run as follows: "dirt2.exe -benchmark example_benchmark.xml".
• Metro 2033 (4A Games/THQ) — DirectX 11, Super High settings, PhysX disabled, run from in game.
• Just Cause 2 (Avalanche Studios/Eidos Interactive) — DirectX 10.0, Super High settings, run from in game.
• Aliens vs. Predator (Rebellion/SEGA) — DirectX 11, Shaders 5.0, Very High settings, run from in game.
• F1 2010 (Codemasters) — DirectX 11, Ultra High settings, run as follows: "formulaone.exe -benchmark example_benchmark.xml". Game provided by NVIDIA.
• Tropics Benchmark 1.3 (Unigine) — DirectX 10.0, High settings.
• Heaven Benchmark 2.5 Pro (Unigine) — DirectX 11, High settings.
• 3DMark 11 (FutureMark) — DirectX 11, Performance settings.

We'd like to thank Unigine for helping us set up their benchmarks.

Note that we don't usually provide results of non-factory overclocking. Speaking of tested cards, the overclocked ENGTX580 DCII/2DIS/1536MD5 performs just 10% slower than GTX 590, and its factory clock rates are very close to the reference. ENGTX570 DCII/2DIS/1280MD5 also has clock rates close to the reference ones. EAH6970 DCII/2DI4S/2GD5 performs only 12% better when overclocked, and it, too, has factory clock rates close to the standard. EAH6950 DCII/2DI4S/2GD5 performs almost like HD 6970 when overclocked. So, in fact, there's no need to add anything to diagrams, because every result you may need is essentially already there. As for ENGTX560 Ti DCII TOP/2DI/1GD5, its decent overclocking ability is demonstrated here.

Final thoughts

Four cards out of five occupy three expansion slots, so make sure you have enough space inside the PC enclosure, and also remember to check what onboard ports such a monster may obstruct when installed (do it, even if you have a dual-slot solution). You don't want to suddenly find out you've lost a couple of SATA connectors, right? Especially, if there are drives already connected to those.

ASUS ENGTX580 DCII/2DIS/1536MD5 is a very nice GTX 580 designed for enthusiasts and overclockers that lets you raise core voltage thanks to improved power circuitry. One disadvantage is that memory chips are not cooled.

ASUS ENGTX570 DCII/2DIS/1280MD5 is a very good GTX 570 that, however, has no means of raising voltage, so overclocking is limited. And it has the same disadvantage: memory chips are not cooled.

ASUS EAH6950 DCII/2DI4S/2GD5 is yet another nice graphics card that lets you increase core voltage and overclock like there's no tomorrow. Our sample achieved the performance of HD 6970. The same disadvantage (memory chips are not cooled) is even more negative in this case. A good thing is EyeFinity support is extended to four monitors.

ASUS EAH6970 DCII/2DI4S/2GD5 is another very interesting product also designed for enthusiasts and overclockers and supporting quad-monitor EyeFinity among everything else. As of the late June 2011, Radeon HD 6970 has a better price/performance ratio than GTX 570 it competes with.

ASUS ENGTX560 Ti DCII TOP/2DI/1GD5 has a good overclocking potential that we have already confirmed in earlier reviews. Due to that it competes well against HD 6870 and even HD 6950. However, the latter still has a better price/performance ratio (as of the late June 2011).

We express gratitude to ASUS for the provided graphics cards. The PSU is provided by TAGAN, the monitor is provided by NVIDIA.

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