ASUS
ENGTX295
Specifi cation Core: 2 x GT200b; Interface: PCI-e Gen2.0;
Core Clock: 576MHz; Memory Clock: 1GHz; Memory
Capacity 1792MB; Memory Type: GDDR3; 3DMark
Vantage Score: 18,966 3DMark 06 Score: 22,432
Price Around US$520
Website www.asus.com
Nvidia’s shift to the 55nm process, long overdue some
would feel, could not have come at a better time. After
AMD managed to take the crown in the form of the
4870 X2, we wondered how the graphics giant would
react and despite some rumours, it was never clear
how the follow up to the 9800 GX2 would compare.
Luckily Nvidia has delivered and the GTX 295 is not
only the fastest graphics card you can buy, in Quad SLI
guise it becomes the fastest graphics solution available
anywhere: easily surpassing 4-way Crossfi re with 4870
X2 cards.
With the GTX 295, Nvidia did not just take two GTX
260 cores and splice them together, but managed to
update them into something that fi ts snugly between
the GTX 260 (216SP) and the GTX280/285. Each of the
GT200b cores feature 240 stream processors, a full
80 texture units, 28 render outputs and the familiar
448-bit memory crossbar of the original GTX 260.
Clocks are at a reserved 576MHz but most will fi nd
625MHz (and sometimes more) can be comfortably
used. The heatsink used on Asus’ ENGTX295 is the
standard version seen on other GTX 295 cards with
the main differentiator being the custom artwork. It’s
an understandable choice - the heatsink employed
by the GTX 295 is rather impressive. Even at standard
fan speed the card remains relatively cool (or at least
cooler then that 4870 X2!)
Given that the GTX 295 is Nvidia’s highest
performance part and that it came after the 4870 X2,
it won’t surprise anyone that it performs so well and
comfortably takes the crown for the fastest graphics
card money can buy although there are overclocked
models from several other vendors that are even
faster. The 3DMark Vantage numbers were particularly
impressive with a score just shy of P19,000 points
certainly making it the fastest single graphics card we
have ever tested.
When it comes to game performance the GTX
295’s lead over the 4870 X2 becomes very apparent.
26
THE LAB
Nvidia (courtesy of
Asus on this occasion)
back on top
“the GTX295 is not only
the fastest graphics card
you can buy; in Quad SLI
guise it becomes the
fastest graphics solution
available as well”
The frame rates are not only higher, but the overall
experience is much smoother even with PhysX
enabled on supporting games. There are better value
propositions around but, as it stands, there simply isn’t
a more-attractive purchase than the GTX 295.
SCORE 9/10
Verdict Fastest graphics card on the market.
Neo Sibeko.
Test Platform
Motherboard: DFI LP DK X58 T3eH6
Processor: Intel Core i7 940
(3,600MHz, 200 x 18)
RAM: OCZ Platinum DDR3 Dual
Channel PC14400 Set (2GB)
PSU: IKONIK VULCAN 1200W
WWW.THEOVERCLOCKER.COM
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