The age of Radeon HD 58xx cards is coming to a logical end, because these cards have been in the market for over a year now and a replacement is already in order. Today, perhaps for the last time, we'll take a look at an overclocker solution based on the Radeon HD 5870 GPU — ASUS MATRIX 5870 P/2DIS/2GD5.

Design

ASUS MATRIX 5870 P/2DIS/2GD5
GPU: Radeon HD 5870 (Cypress) Interface: PCIe x16 GPU clock rate (ROPs/shaders): 894/894 MHz (the standard is 850/850 MHz) Memory clock rate, physical (effective): 1200 (4800) MHz (standard) Bus: 256-bit Stream processors: 1600 TMUs: 80 (BLF/TLF) ROPs: 32 Size: 275x100x33 mm PCB color: black RAMDACs/TDMS: integrated into GPU Outputs: DVI-I, DisplayPort, HDMI Multi-GPU mode: hardware CrossFire

Comparison with the reference design, front view
ASUS MATRIX 5870 P/2DIS/2GD5	Reference AMD Radeon HD 5870

Comparison with the reference design, rear view
ASUS MATRIX 5870 P/2DIS/2GD5	Reference AMD Radeon HD 5870

As you can see, the card has a completely custom PCB, and the only reference part of design is memory chips surrounding the GPU. The graphics card offers uniquely flexible GPU/memory clock rate controls and thus has a custom power supply with new controlling elements. It also has two 8-pin supplementary power connectors to improve stability during extreme overclocking.

The solution also has a Safe Mode button situated on the backpanel bracket that lets you quickly reset parameters to default values (see below).

Maximum resolutions and frequencies:

• 240 Hz maximum refresh rate
• 2560 x 1600 @ 60Hz max. digital resolution
• 2048 x 1536 @ 85Hz max. VGA resolution

Cooling

ASUS MATRIX 5870 P/2DIS/2GD5

The cooler features a heatsink and a metallic plate. The heatsink has a copper baseplate and cools down both the GPU and memory chips. There are also heatpipes to transfer heat from the baseplate to heatsink fins. Finally, there's a fan that drives air through the heatsink. You can also see a decorative backlit plaque on the upper part of the cooper that indicates it's a Matrix series card. Unfortunately, the cooler is very noisy even at standard clock rates due to the initially increased fan speed. But overclockers hardly care.

Traditionally, we monitored temperatures using EVGA Precision (based on RivaTuner).

ASUS MATRIX 5870 P/2DIS/2GD5

As you can see, the core temperature doesn't exceed 86°C, which is fine, considering increased clock rates. The cooler has a certain reserve of performance for reasons explained a bit further. Aside from drivers, ASUS offers a proprietory overclocking tool.

So, as an overclocker, not only you can increase memory clock rates, but also adjust core/memory voltages. Moreover, you can even adjust memory timings. Truly, an overclocker solution.

Bundle

A basic bundle should include a user manual, a software CD, and adapters where applicable. Now let's see what other accessories are bundled with each card.

ASUS MATRIX 5870 P/2DIS/2GD5
This is a complete basic bundle plus an HDMI-to-DVI adapter and a bonus leather CD case.

Box

ASUS MATRIX 5870 P/2DIS/2GD5
A traditional jacketed box with a window. The bundle is stowed into compartments, and the card is very securely fixed.

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