Review: asus rog matrix gtx580

We are honored to review one of the best custom graphics cards of the moment. This is the Asus ROG Matrix GTX 580 with a 3-slot DirectCU II heatsink, 19 power phases, and voltage read points. Do not miss how this beast behaves.

Product ceded by:

ASUS ROG MATRIX GTX580 FEATURES
Chipset	GTX 580
GDDR5 Bus and Memory.	PCI Express 2.0 and 1536 MB.
CUDA frequency and core.	816 mhz and 512 CUDA cores.
Heatsink	DirectCU II with 3 slots.
Memory frequency and memory interface	4008 MHZ and 384 bits.
Interface	D-Sub output: Yes x 1 (via DVI to D-Sub adapter x 1) DVI output: Yes x 2 (DVI-I) HDMI output: Yes x 1 Display Port: Yes x 1 (Regular DP) HDCP Support: Yes
accessories	2 x Power Cable 1 x SLI Extension Cable 1 x DVI to D-Sub Adapter
ASUS Features	DirectCU SeriesMatrix SeriesSuper Alloy Power
Dimensions	11.5 "x 5" inches
Warranty	3 years.

The Asus GTX 580 Matrix occupies 3 PCIE slots (Be very careful with the layout of your motherboard to mount an SLI or Tri SLI). The graphic includes 2 DVI ports, 1 HDMI and a Displayport. Latest technology engineering.

DirectCU II - Increases air flow by 600%: lowers temperature by 20%.

Based on the ASUS DirectCU architecture, which improves dissipation by implanting copper dissipation ducts in direct contact with the GPU, DirectCU II increases airflow by 600% and lowers temperature by 20% using two large fans size.

Safe Mode - Recovery of the safe configuration.

This button instantly recovers the factory settings of frequencies and BIOS. It comes to be a "Clear CMOS" always at your fingertips.

TweakIt - Instant voltage control.

TweakIt offers flexible control of overclocking parameters even while using Benchmarking programs. Users will be able to manage voltages by pressing the "+" and "-" buttons during their game, ensuring a competitive advantage for games.

MATRIX LED - Indicates the load to which the GPU is subjected.

The multi-colored MATRIX LED indicator informs the user of the load to which the GPU is subjected in real time.

Asus uses the famous red box for its Republic of Gamers series. The graphics card is protected in a plastic and foam rubber blister.

Perfectly protected for any blow upon arrival of the recipient.

The box includes:

• Graphics Card GTX580 Matrix Power cables. Bridge SLI.CD Installation and Manual.

The graphics card incorporates a Direct CU II heatsink that occupies 3 slots. Without a doubt, it is the best assembled heatsink on the market: quiet and great dissipating power.

The upper part is engraved with the “Matrix” series, which will change color depending on the state of the graphics card.

In the back we have to highlight its blacktape. That will help to gain 2-3º C and aesthetics.

It also has 2 8-pin connectors. This is due to its 19 phases and its great OC capacity.

Speaking of Overclocking. We have 3 buttons: fan control, raise and lower points.

The fan cable is meshed.

View of the powerful heatsink. Quite a brown beast.

TESTING BENCH
Processor:	Intel i7 3930K
Base plate:	Asus Rampage IV Extreme
Memory:	Corsair Vengeance 8GB Quad Channel
Heatsink	Corsair H60
HDD	Kingston Hyperx 120gb
Graphic card	Matrix GTX580
Box	Benchtable Dimastech Easy V2.5

To evaluate the performance of the graphics card we have used the following applications:

• 3DMark11Lost planet 2Alien vs predatorHeaven benchmark 2.1

All our tests have been carried out with a resolution of 1920px x 1200px.

What are we looking for in the tests?

First the best possible image quality. The most important value for us is the average FPS (Frames per second), the higher the number of FPS, the more fluid the game will be. To differentiate the quality a little, I leave you a table to assess the quality in FPS:

FRAMES BY SECONDS
Frames for Seconds.	Gameplay
Less than 30 FPS	Limited
30 - 40 FPS	Playable
40 - 60 FPS	Good
Greater than 60 FPS	Fairly Good or Excellent

Let's not fool ourselves; there are games that can have an average of 100 FPS. It may be because the game is quite old, does not require excessive graphic resources or that the graphics is the most powerful on the market, or we have thousands of euros GPU systems. But the reality is different, and games like Crysis 2 and Metro 2033 are very demanding and do not usually give high scores.

TESTS GTX580 MATRIX ROG 1920 x 1200
Alien Vs Predator DX11	1180 FPS
The planet 2 DX11	85 FPS
Heaven 2.1 DX11	45 FPS
3dMark11 Performance	6820 pts

The ASUS GTX580 ROG Matrix is ​​designed for the most enthusiastic. Among its most important characteristics we find:

• Freshness and silence: With the factory values ​​we have the best heatsink on the market. Only that at maximum power you start to listen. Maximum power: It becomes one of the best monogpu graphics cards on the market. Its 816 mhz and 1536 mb of ram are appreciated by the games. It has perfectly moved games like: Alien Vs Preador and Lost Planet 2.Overclock: With 19 phases and a custom hot button system. 950mhz does them quickly.

We would have liked that the graphics card did not occupy three slots. This can bring us head problems when updating to multigpu systems (SLI or Tri SLI). Although its efficient heatsink will lower remarkably high temperatures.

In short, very satisfied with the offered level of the ASUS GTX580 ROG Matrix. A highly recommended purchase for the most demanding, who, as always, will have to pay a high price (+ € 500).

ADVANTAGE	DISADVANTAGES
+ PERSONALIZED CARD	- PRICE
+ GOOD LEVEL OF OVERCLOCK.	- 3 SLOTS
+ HOT BUTTONS.
+ BEST ASSEMBLED HEATSINK IN THE MARKET.
+ VERY SILENT.