Today we'll continue reviewing NVIDIA's GeForce GTX 680 GPU on the example of two graphics cards from Gigabyte and Palit.

Specifications

Gigabyte GeForce GTX 680 Overclock Edition

GPU: GeForce GTX 680 (GK104) Interface: PCIe 3.0 x16 GPU clock rate (ROPs/shaders): 1072–1137 MHz (the standard is 1006–1110 MHz) Memory clock rate, physical (effective): 1502 (6008) MHz (standard) Memory bus: 256-bit Stream processors: 1536 Texture units: 128 (BLF/TLF/ANIS) ROP units: 32 Dimensions: 275x137x43 mm PCB color: blue Peak power consumption (3D/2D/standby): 201–215/77/63 W Output connectors: DVI-I, DVI-D, HDMI 1.4a, DisplayPort 1.2 Multi-GPU mode: hardware SLI

Palit GeForce GTX 680 JetStream

GPU: GeForce GTX 680 (GK104) Interface: PCIe 3.0 x16 GPU clock rate (ROPs/shaders): 1084–1150 MHz (the standard is 1006–1110 MHz) Memory clock rate, physical (effective): 1575 (6300) MHz (the standard is 1502 (6008) MHz) Memory bus: 256-bit Stream processors: 1536 Texture units: 128 (BLF/TLF/ANIS) ROP units: 32 Dimensions: 254x112 mm, 2.5 slots PCB color: black Peak power consumption (3D/2D): 199–216/79/63 W Output connectors: DVI-I, DVI-D, HDMI 1.4a, DisplayPort 1.2 Multi-GPU mode: hardware SLI

Comparison with the reference design, front view

Gigabyte GeForce GTX 680 Overclock Edition	Reference NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680

Palit GeForce GTX 680 JetStream	Reference NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680

Comparison with the reference design, rear view

Gigabyte GeForce GTX 680 Overclock Edition	Reference NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680

Palit GeForce GTX 680 JetStream	Reference NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680

The Gigabyte GeForce GTX 680 Overclock Edition copies the reference design. The only difference is that it has a Durable PCB with more layers and all the elements are made of copper so it would heat up less. Besides, while the reference VRM has 4 phases for the GPU (the 5th is unused) and 2 phases for memory, the Gigabyte GeForce GTX 680 Overclock Edition has a VRM with 5 phases for the GPU. Power is still handled by the Richtek RT8802A power controller. The card also has 8-pin and 6-pin supplementary power sockets placed next to each other. This is a much better layout than that inconvenient 'double-decker' on the reference card.

In turn, Palit GeForce GTX 680 JetStream retains the reference 'double-decker' supplementary power connector layout, although it's wider, also with 8-pin and 6-pin connectors. Another difference is that the VRM has 6 phases for the GPU—also managed by Richtek RT8802A.

Both graphics cards have the same set of outputs: 2 x DVI (Dual-Link HDMI-compatible and Single-Link VGA-compatible), HDMI (able to transmit both audio and video), and DisplayPort.

Maximum resolutions and frequencies:

• 240 Hz maximum refresh rate
• 2048 x 1536 @ 85 Hz max. analog (VGA) resolution
• 2560 x 1600 @ 60 Hz max. digital (DVI) resolution (for Dual Link DVI-D)

Write a comment below. No registration needed!