ASUS’ Own Dual-GTX 285 4 GB Graphics Card = 2 x GTX 285!!
The ASUS Mars 295 Limited Edition has been designed and it completely rethinks “GeForce GTX 295” to make it far more than just another overclocked edition. ASUS actually used two graphics processors that make up the GTX 285 – all 240 shader processors are enabled and they also include the complete 512-bit GDDR3 memory interface as well as the exact same clock speeds of Nvidia’s flagship GPU!
In terms of design, the new Mars 295 is very similar to a standard GTX 295. There are two PCBs sandwiched together inside one package although the Mars limited edition has 32 memory chips for a total of 4GB of memory allowing each GPU to access half of it. What is very surprising is that ASUS picked their own as yet unnamed third-party bridge chip, eschewing Nvidia’s own nForce 200 SLi bridge chip. ASUS has also designed their own cooler although it appears similar to the reference design. What makes the Mars GTX 295 really fast is its much higher clock speeds than the regular reference GTX 295.
Despite ASUS’ new design, Mars GTX 295 will still work with standard Nvidia drivers and will be recognized as a GeForce GTX 295, but will still be able to access the full features of both GTX 285 GPUs. Its core is clocked at 648MHz with 1,476MHz stream processors, compared with 576MHz core and 1,242MHz stream processors in a standard GTX 295. In addition, GeForce GXT285 has a wider 512-bit memory interface, compared with the 448-bit interface on the GTX 295 GPUs. Besides all of this, the GTX285 also has 32 render outputs (ROPs), compared with 28 on the GTX 295 GPUs. Fortunately, compatibility with standard Nvidia drivers means that the Mars GTX 295 can be set up in Quad SLI configuration by adding a second Mars card.
Asus evidently wouldn’t confirm whether the Mars is going to actually reach retailers, or how even much it might cost. One clue, “Limited Edition 1/1000” on the Mars GTX 295’s top corner, indicates that the card will be available for a limited run.
The ASUS Mars GTX 295 videocard spans across two expansion slots and is slightly larger than the reference design card. This image from TechPowerUp show us a Mars PCB and the GPU:
If this ASUS Mars GTX 295 makes it into production, it will be the fastest video card – and probably one of the most expensive also.
Source: TechPowerUP
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