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Leaked shots allude to ASUS MARS II graphics card - twin GTX 480s

by Tarinder Sandhu on 16 July 2010, 14:53

Tags: ASUSTeK (TPE:2357)

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qay6t

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ASUS' engineers must be a dreamy bunch. Designing run-of-the-mill graphics cards and motherboards simply don't get their creative juices flowing, so when the boss is away, out comes the pen and paper, soon to be filled with sketches of outlandish and monstrous hardware.

Just look back to the ASUS ROG MARS, launched just under a year ago and marked by pulling two GeForce GTX 285s on to one PCB. Putting that extreme know-how into good use, the simply massive ROG ARES, released last week, purports to be the fastest graphics card in the world.

The two special-edition cards serve as a warm-up and prelude to the maddest project of the lot - putting two GeForce GTX 480 GPUs on to one PCB.


Click to enlarge

Based on a stupefying-sized PCB and carrying what are rumoured to be two full-fat GeForce GTX 480 GPUs (GF100-375-A3) internally hooked-up via a high-speed NF200 bridging chip, the MARS II has the provenance to provide some electrifying numbers.


Click to enlarge


Each GPU's six 64-bit memory controllers are serviced by, we imagine, double-density, double-width GDDR5 - that or a further 12 chips on the back. Three eight-pin PCIe connectors provide enough juice - to the tune of 450W-plus, it is reasonable to assume - and we're guessing that the sheer size of the proposed cooling would make the ARES' blush. Indeed, it wouldn't be surprising if this was a watercooling-only product.

Should this product come to bear before the next round of GPU updates, the MARS II would be the baddest - and undoubtedly most expensive - graphics card in the world.



HEXUS Forums :: 16 Comments

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Surely it'd have to be a watercooled-only product? I mean, if a single GTX480 can produce 90c+ on full load, than this, in theory would produce 180c *at least* on just air. If Asus pull it off, then there can really be no doubt that they make the most insane yet awesome components in the world.
GageC
Surely it'd have to be a watercooled-only product? I mean, if a single GTX480 can produce 90c+ on full load, than this, in theory would produce 180c *at least* on just air. If Asus pull it off, then there can really be no doubt that they make the most insane yet awesome components in the world.

If you ever get a chance, see the ARES card in real life: it weighs over 2kg, and most of that is the cooling.
GageC, Temperature dissipation isn't linear, the bigger the temp gradient, the faster the “thing” will lose heat.

Watercooling or a very well designed (and big) cooler.
Tarinder
If you ever get a chance, see the ARES card in real life: it weighs over 2kg, and most of that is the cooling.

When's the Hexus Open Day? :)

Asus are just showing off! This card would be sick.
No doubt it'll cost a small planet too :(