Asus' ROG Ares II: Four Dual-GPU Graphics Cards, Compared

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Earlier this year, Asus joined the extreme high-end graphics club with its own dual-Tahiti-based card, liquid-cooled and overclocked. You can't buy it anymore, but we got our hands on one and are adding it to our database of performance data.

The Benchmark System

We’re testing with our 2012 VGA benchmark system. The driver we're using was the "miracle" update that catapulted AMD's performance out in front of what Nvidia could do with its GK104. As a result, we can draw comparisons between the dual-Tahiti boards and Nvidia's GeForce GTX 690 without worrying about software-based misrepresentations. Overall, the data should look pretty similar using today's beta drivers, at least in the games we're benchmarking.

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Benchmark System
CPUIntel Core i7-2600K (Sandy Bridge), 32 nm, 4C/8T, 8 MB Shared L3 Cache, Hyper-Threading Enabled, Overclocked to 4.5 GHz
MotherboardGigabyte Z68X-UD7-B3, Intel Z68 Express, BIOS F10
Memory4 x 4 GB Kingston HyperX DDR3-1600
CPU CoolerCooler Master TPC 800 with Noiseblocker eLoop B12-PS (PWM)
System DriveKingston V200+ 480 GB
Power SupplyCorsair AX1200i Digital ATX Power Supply, 1200 W, 80 PLUS Platinum
Operating SystemWindows 7 x64 Ultimate
DriversCatalyst 12.11 (Beta) and Catalyst 12.9         GeForce 306.97 WHQL
Ambient Temperature22 °C (held constant)
Benchmark CaseNZXT Phantom 820

It’ll be interesting to see how these enormous cards fare in a closed case. It’s not easy to exhaust out 500 or more watts of heat.

Igor Wallossek
63 Comments Comment from the forums
  • acasel
    nice video card.

    hope it doesnt cost a kidney :)
    Reply
  • Ceee9
    last picture on the last page seem..., i think it oversize
    Reply
  • JJ1217
    ermagherd gerfics cerd yey i r so herpy
    Reply
  • UltimateDeep
    I think you can get 2 690s or least 3 680s for the price of an ARES 2. The benchmarkers didn't evaluate Performance per watt, or Performance per dollar and the flipping size and length of each card which is the reason why I still stand by the GTX 690 in this article... For all these cards, all of that personally needs to be taken into consideration.

    I've nothing against the Dual 7970s but just want to let consumers be aware of the pros and cons especially the cards are not for the meek of wallet.
    Reply
  • killerchickens
    So about that FCAT ........... sigh
    Reply
  • slomo4sho
    Wonder if Asus will re-release this card into the US market as the 7990.
    Reply
  • ASHISH65
    WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Reply
  • dkcomputer
    Classic statement whenever you talk about AMD - "If only the software were better" or "When the software catches up" - how about "If only this component would be relevant when the software its made for exists"
    Reply
  • PadaV4
    So is the fps for radeon dual cards already divided by 2 or must the reader do it by himself?
    Reply
  • ShadyHamster
    You can't buy it anymore, but we got our hands on one and are adding it to our database of performance data.

    If you live in Australia and have a spare $1900 you can still get your hands on one.
    Reply