ASUS 7970 Matrix Platinum
Test Setup, Overclocking and Temps
Published: 22nd October 2012 | Source: ASUS | Price: £400 |
Test Setup
ASUS HD7970 Matrix Platinum
Catalyst 12.8 Drivers
Intel Core i7-3960X @ 4.6GHz
ASUS Rampage IV Extreme
Corsair Dominator Platinum
Corsair AX1200W
Corsair H100
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
Overclocking
Despite all the possible tweaks and tunings available to us the Matrix Platinum was only able to be overclocked by 100MHz before we lost stability. Considering we have loadline calibration and a host of voltage adjustments available to us we have to say that we were very disappointed in such a meagre stable overclock. Of course you could push it as high as you desire if you're only going to run a basic test, but we always demand stability throughout our testing and 1200MHz was the limit. If anything it speaks volumes that ASUS themselves use 3D Mark 03 in their press kit. That's about as demanding as reading the ingredients on a packet of peanuts.
The side lights change colour depending upon the GPU loading which is almost wholly useless. Why have these colours available if we can't manually set them to match our rig? Does anyone really care how hard their GPU is working? Wouldn't you rather be able to have it always matching the colour scheme of your system?
Temperatures
None of the HD7970s we've tested have been insanely hot, and the Matrix is no different. Despite it being a triple slot cooling solution it's actually warmer than the dual-slot Gigabyte Windforce cooler. It's certainly quiet though, but then so is the reference cooler. Of course the 100% fan button changes the noise factor, but you're unlikely to need it as we've got loads of headroom even with a voltage tweaked overclock.
Most Recent Comments
(Except for NZXT, that was pretty funny!)ASUS could have at least sent a cherry picked review sample, so they wouldn't look as bad.
By the way, Tom, is it planned for the future to get the graphs in HTML5 instead of Flash (or some sort of compromise). I went on this on a mobile device and none of the numbers would show.
tom was swearing and that doesnt happen often
I really get the sense that they are using the Republic of Gamers branding on products that aren't really that premium. If they continue to dilute the brand it will become worthless. I also don't think the lights on the side of the card are a good idea, makes it look like a cheap afterthought to distract from the cards main fault: Performance.
the platinums ARE cherry picked...hence the "Platinum"
different version becasue they are all upside-down giddy with the results.
comparo to GTX and gains over the reference cards, you'd thought the 2nd
coming was in this card. dribble... just dribble.. cost to performance ratio is
so lope-sided.
"....11% performance improvement over the regular HD 7970 and a 3% boost
over the HD 7970 GHz and MSI HD 7970 Lightning." for 35-40% more cost to
the Lightning?
but nobody else is barking about the low frequency clocking ability. edged by the
PowerColor at more cost?
should have been stomped a mud-hole in the competitions butt on this purchase.
but instead "edged-out" by its competitor..
ASUS good for you, but i think this is not a great card from the stables of ROG
performance line..
another spot-on point was the RBG lighting and the control. Corsair Link was
getting similar flack on the "effect" and gave "ownership" to the end-user instead
of locking them out. same aurguement, "oohh it changes under load.." obvious
reply, "MEH".
just my opinion...
airdeano
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Originally Posted by 233Kosta
I always hate to see good manufacturers righteously get their bollocks handed to them
(Except for NZXT, that was pretty funny!): |
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Originally Posted by Lollipop
Contradiction.
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if my money tree didnt die, id buy another and send it to tom to see if the results be similar
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Originally Posted by badtaylorx
thats why i think this one was a dud....it happens.....
if my money tree didnt die, id buy another and send it to tom to see if the results be similar |
I hope they send him one that performs to rectify the situation, otherwise they will suffer imho.
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Originally Posted by 233Kosta
I agree. I seriously doubt ASUS are stupid enough to brand a card for overclocking and then not cherry pick the chip that goes on it, especially when they'd be sending samples to reviewers such as TTL.
I hope they send him one that performs to rectify the situation, otherwise they will suffer imho. |
puzzled looks. but reading other reviews, it sounds pretty on par with
what Tom's already said as far as performance. they just "gussied" the print
up for specatular effects. not saying speaks as loud..
airdeano
My trust in Tom's reviews surpasses anything else on youtube. They're just the most detailed and honest videos I've seen on youtube. (to me if Tom says it's bad - it's bad, end of)
Off to google now to see what people write about this card.
Obviously this card isn't all they say it is
Regards.
C.
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Originally Posted by DB006
tl;dr, Tom, have you re tested using 12.11beta 4's?
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Originally Posted by tinytomlogan
Theres only 24 hours in a single day so sadly not. If I retest this why shouldnt I retest all the other 7970's or even 680's because they have new drivers out too!
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Originally Posted by tinytomlogan
Theres only 24 hours in a single day so sadly not. If I retest this why shouldnt I retest all the other 7970's or even 680's because they have new drivers out too!
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Or
Mars, as one Marian day = 58 days and 15 hrs Sol days
Or do what said
Regards.
C.
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We finally get our hands on the top-line HD7970 from ASUS, the Matrix Platinum. Has it been worth the lengthy wait?
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