Asus Matrix Platinum GTX 580 1.5GB Review

As we expected, the Asus Matrix Platinum GTX580 is a stunning graphics card with class leading build quality and it will rival any high end discrete solution on the market. Make no mistake, this is a serious solution for serious gamers, the weight of the card alone immediately hints at what is in store.

The Direct CU Cooling system, as we have noted before, is fantastic, ensuring reduced temperatures under the most taxing of situations. The dual fan design lowers noise emissions which is always a welcome improvement with an enhanced, proprietary design. The only downside is the physical three slot cooler which demands substantial space inside a chassis – in some instances it may even block other PCI Express x16 slots.

The talking points for this specific card include an array of options which cater to voltage control and manual fan speed adjustment. The redundant bios may be practical for the hardcore audience who are continually tweaking the hardware and settings. The solder points are also useful in the right hands, but in reality only to a very small portion of the prospective audience.

The Matrix Platinum GTX580 is certainly a showcase card, highlighting ASUS engineering capabilities and to offer a variety of new features to the hardcore overclocking and modding audience. UK pricing has yet to be confirmed, but according to Asus UK the retail price will be in and around £496 inc vat.

Pros:

• class leading build quality
• software control is good
• hardware tweaks are useful
• solder points
• temperatures are reduced
• quiet

Cons:

• cooler is 3 slot which may cause problems for some system configurations

Kitguru says: A graphics card which comes fully locked and loaded.

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