MSI Geforce GTX 680

   

         I just finished testing out the MSI N680GTX-PM2D2GD5 video card and I was amazed what it can do. This is the latest codename "Kepler" (GK104)GPU Chip that Nvidia released which uses the new 28nm fabrication process technology. The card length is 10" inches long but boasts 1536 shader (CUDA) cores. It has a maximum of 195W power draw and now using the PCI-Express Generation 3.0 data path. As for memory is concerned, it features a 256-bit memory bus connected to 2GB of GDDR5 of memory and soon 4GB version will also be available. 


         Focusing more on the features of the Kepler. The new architecture do boast out a very high framebuffer bandwith structure. Its a combination of massive memory and core partitions and of the GDDR5 memory. Aside from this, it has also the so called "Dynamic Clock Adjustment Technology" which boost up the speed of the GPU core while stays within the Total Draw Power Bracket. From a standard speed of 1006Mhz it can go up as high as 1058-1124MHz. Like Intel's Turbo Boost Technology :) 


         Moving on, 3D Vision Surround is now doable in a single GPU configuration unlike before you need atleast 2 video cards in SLI. You can hook up to 4 displays (3840x2160 resolution) with multi streaming audio capability. 


Below are still other Features of the Kepler GPU:
•Adaptive V-Sync - adjusts vertical sync to your current frame rates for a stutter-free gaming experience
•AA TXAA (Temporal Super Sampling) - s a new style anti aliasing technique that make the most of the graphics card high texture performance. TXAA is a mix of hardware anti-aliasing, custom CG style AA resolve and in the case of 2x TXAA an optional temporal components for better image quality
•Supports DX11.1

MSI Geforce N580GTX Lightning Xtreme Edition

 

              MSI N580GTX Lightning Extreme Edition is a reconstructed N580GTX Lightning but with 3GB DDR5 memory and redesigned Twin FrozrIII cooler (propeller blade fan’s color changes from blue to white if the card gets hot and the fan rotates backwards for 30 seconds each time the computer starts to remove dusts on the fan). The card still has the enhanced voltage controls and power circuitry where the Lightning series stands out. Compared from a regular 580GTX power phase, the EX has 16+1 (12 for the GPU Core, 3 for the memory and 1 for the PLL/VDDC Power).

 The box:

FRONT

BACK

MSI N480GTX Lightning Edition Twin Frozr III (NVIDIA GTX 480)

The card and its very huge packaging box.

          Today's technology where rapidly changing so fast and almost every week there's a lot of new hardware release especially in computer industry.Few days ago I purchased this monster card(MSI GTX 480 Lightning Edition) as a replacement on my previous graphic card (ASUS GTX 460 Direct Cu 1Gb DDR5). I can say that MSI built well because every component of this card where all military class type (MSI trade mark for high end components on motherboards and video cards).  This graphic card composed of dual BIOS, DIP switches and has three voltage measurement socket which later I'll show you. Ill try to run several games like Need for Speed Shift 2, NBA 2K11, Lost Planet 2,Starcraft II and Crysis 2 whereas this games run smoothly on maximum settings with 16X AA. 

         One more thing I'll like on this card was its  power management. We know the GTX 480 consumes a lot of power but MSI built a very good power profile whereas the clocks of memory and GPU automatically adjust as low as 50Mhz on GPU and 75Mhz on memory( nice work MSI).

Additional actual photo of MSI N480GTX Lightning Ed:

This card measures approx 11 inches long.

Old but still kick'in (Inno3d Geforce GTX 280 video card)

         Nowadays, 3d games and applications were rapidly growing and the demands of its hardware support really needs a lot of power to run them flawlessly. More and more updated hardware we're released almost every month  and its quite hard to choose whose really the best in terms of price/performance ratio. 

         My exisiting graphics card is getting older and older and i had no moolah to upgrade but for me its still kick'in on newer games like Dirt2, Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2, Starcraft 2, and etc beyond  its lack of DirectX 11 support.  I decided to make a short tribute about this monster video (Inno3d Geforce GTX 280 1GB DDR3 512 bit)  card wayback on its time (2008) before its getting forgotten of all gamers and enthusiast.

Taken from inno3d.com

               Inno3D® are excited to announce the 2nd Generation GPU technology, the Inno3D® GeForce® GTX 280 & 260. Place yourself in the center of the action and experience true DirectX 10 gaming cinema in extreme HD (2560x1600) resolutions – all enabled by Inno3D® GeForce® GTX 200 GPUs’ second generation unified architecture, NVIDIA SLI® Technology, and top notch DirectX 10 support. With 50% more performance than prior generation GPUs, GeForce GTX 200 GPUs tear through complex DirectX 10 environments and cinematic effects at blazing frame rates in beyond HD resolutions. Inno3D® bundles double the action with 2 amazing games: Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter2 & Company of Heros Opposing Force.

My test system:

AMD Athlon II X3 440 (overclock @3.6Ghz)

MSI 890FXA GD70 AM3  mobo

4 GB Dual Channel DDR3 1600 Gskill Ripjaws

Inno3d Geforce GTX 280 1GB DDR3 512bit Dual DVI

Corsair HX750 modular power supply 

Coolermaster CM 690 I chasis

Cooled by Xigmatek Balder HSF and 5pcs 90cfm 120mm case fans.

XFi Titanium Fatality Champion Ed

My own benchmark ( 3DMark 2006 and 3DMark Vantage)

Inno3D Geforce GTX 280 Specification and temperature via GPU-Z info:

 For complete overview and driver update, kindly click url below:

 http://www.inno3d.com/products/graphic_card/gtx200/gtx280.html