ASUS EAH3850 X2: a metal-framed exclusive
Today, we are reviewing the technologies of multi-GPU configurations - AMD CrossFire and NVIDIA SLI. We'll be examining their efficiency to find out which operating system - Windows XP or Windows Vista - is more suitable for their operation. We'll be using the exclusive video card ASUS EAH3850 X2 with a proprietary cooling system, as well as the overclocked ASUS EN9800GX2, plus three more video cards, at least two of which will be interesting to many. We start our introduction to video cards with the most interesting part, the exclusive.
ASUS EAH3850 X2: Layout and Features
ASUS EAH3850 X2 is shipped in an orange-black box like all the other video cards of the Radeon family produced by this manufacturer. Note that the box is quite large, as big as the video card itself.
Here is the package bundle of the new video card:
- power supply adapter for PCI-Express video cards;
- DVI -> HDMI adapter;
- DVI -> D-Sub adapter;
- S-Video > Component out adapter;
- CrossFire bridge;
- drivers CD;
- CD with a user's manual;
- User's manual;
- Case for CDs;
Engineers at ASUS have used a proprietary cooling system. They managed to create an impressive product - the metal housing accentuates the status of the card, with a couple of fans add more credit to the cooling system.
The reverse side of ASUS EAH3850 X2 is not equipped with additional cooling devices, which may puzzle you. But there is no need to worry - the memory chips on the reverse side won't overheat.
If you are annoyed by the noise from the fans, you can easily fit 1-2 slow 120-mm fans instead. For that, just dismantle the metal housing off the video card by turning out 5 screws.
Each GPU is cooled with its own radiator which at the same time cools the memory chips and components of the power supply subsystem.
The "bare" ASUS EAH3850 X2 looks very similar to Radeon HD3870 X2, but there are some differences between them, e.g. in the power supply subsystem.
The memory chips are made by Qimonda and offer 1 ns access time, which is equivalent to the effective frequency 2000 MHz. But the real operating frequency is lower.
The next participant of today's review also uses two GPUs at the same time. Well, meet the guest.
ASUS EN9800GX2 TOP
Although ASUS EN9800GX2 TOP belongs to the GeForce family, its package is made in grey tints, which is not typical for ASUS. That is because of the game "Company of Heroes" whose full version comes as a bundled item with the new video card. And of course we can't help pointing to the fact that the video card is factory-overclocked, which has given extra 11% performance gain, according to the manufacturer. But no info is as to where and under what conditions that was achieved.
Here is the package bundle of the new video card:
- power supply adapter for PCI-Express video cards;
- PCI-express 2 x 6 pin > 8 pin power supply adapter;
- DVI -> D-Sub adapter;
- a cable to apply S/P-DIF sound signal to the video card inside the computer;
- drivers CD;
- CD with a user's manual;
- CD with the Company of Heroes;
- User's manual;
- Case for CDs;
ASUS EN9800GX2 TOP differs from the "regular" reference video card in overclocking only. Its design is such that you'd better avoid dismantling it because there is a high risk of damaging it. Therefore, we'd rather not dismantle it - for the details of the interior of the video card, read our previous review.
Look at the proprietary sticker. That is no longer "a piece of paper" but an impressive thing with a golden tint. Nice, isn't it?
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