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Gigabyte GeForce GTX 570 Super Overclock Review

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SKYMTL

HardwareCanuck Review Editor
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With next generation graphics architectures still a good ways off, we’ve seen a steady stream of manufacturers introducing custom versions of current GPUs. Unfortunately these cards are meant as flagship products that make a bold statement so they are usually reserved for certain well-heeled consumers. This has led MSI, ASUS, Zotac and many others to introduced high performance versions of the GTX 580 while less expensive alternatives have -for the most part- maintained the status quo. Gigabyte on the other hand has broadened the reach of their Super Overclock series so it touches products at almost every single price point. In this review we will be looking at their GTX 570 Super Overclock which is meant to appeal to the large number of people who want high performance but just can’t justify spending more than $400 to get it.

GTX-570-SOC-64.jpg

The specifications of this card are about what we have come to expect after reviewing several other Super Overclock products. When taken together, the clock speeds aren’t necessarily ground breaking but they should contribute to reasonably higher framerates in most games. The core does however get a nice bump, making this version the highest clocked GTX 570 currently on the market but as usual, Gigabyte’s memory overclocks are completely MIA.

At around $370, the Super Overclock certainly isn’t the least expensive GTX 570 around either (reference versions routinely go for around $320) but its apparent performance and some additional features do make this premium justifiable.

GTX-570-SOC-7.jpg

There really isn’t much to distinguish this card from the excellent GTX 580 Super Overclock we reviewed a while back. It uses the same Windforce 3x heatsink design as its bigger brother along with a custom designed PCB that’s about 11” long but this version lacks the GTX 580’s dual bios feature.

GTX-570-SOC-1.jpg
GTX-570-SOC-2.jpg

The Windforce 3X heatsink uses a trio of 80mm fans which sit atop a huge heatsink that uses a copper vapor chamber and 8mm heatpipes. In the past, this setup has proven to be quiet and delivered very good temperatures so we hope it can accomplish the same here.

GTX-570-SOC-3.jpg
GTX-570-SOC-4.jpg

The PCB meanwhile houses a 14-phase PWM, voltage read points, an 8-pin + 6-pin power connector layout for additional overclocking headroom, NEC / Tokin “super capacitors” and the components demanded by Gigabyte’s Ultra Durable VGA. Gigabyte also hand picks each of the GPU cores used in these cards in order to ensure the best possible overclocking headroom. Additionally, there is a long flat heatsink added to this card’s underside in order to disperse heat from the VRM modules.

GTX-570-SOC-6.jpg
 
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SKYMTL

HardwareCanuck Review Editor
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Joined
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Messages
12,840
Location
Montreal
Test System / Benchmark Sequences

Test System

Processor: Intel Core i7 920(ES) @ 4.0Ghz (Turbo Mode Enabled)
Memory: Corsair 3x2GB Dominator DDR3 1600Mhz
Motherboard: Gigabyte EX58-UD5
Cooling: CoolIT Boreas mTEC + Scythe Fan Controller
Disk Drive: Pioneer DVD Writer
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Black 2TB
Power Supply: Corsair AX1200
Monitor: Samsung 305T
OS: Windows 7 Ultimate N x64 SP1

Drivers:
NVIDIA 285.62 WHQL
AMD 11.10 WHQL

Application Benchmark Information:
Note: In all instances, in-game sequences were used. The videos of the benchmark sequences have been uploaded below.


Battlefield 3

<object width="640" height="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/i6ncTGlBoAw?version=3&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/i6ncTGlBoAw?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="640" height="480" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>​

Crysis 2

<object width="560" height="315"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Bc7_IAKmAsQ?version=3&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Bc7_IAKmAsQ?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="560" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>​


Deus Ex Human Revolution

<object width="560" height="315"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GixMX3nK9l8?version=3&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GixMX3nK9l8?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="560" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>​


Dirt 3

<object width="560" height="315"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/g5FaVwmLzUw?version=3&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/g5FaVwmLzUw?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="560" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>​


Metro 2033

<object width="480" height="360"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8aZA5f8l-9E?version=3&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8aZA5f8l-9E?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="360" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>​


Shogun 2: Total War

<object width="560" height="315"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/oDp29bJPCBQ?version=3&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/oDp29bJPCBQ?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="560" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>​


Witcher 2 v2.0

<object width="560" height="315"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tyCIuFtlSJU?version=3&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tyCIuFtlSJU?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="560" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>​

*Notes:

- All games tested have been patched to their latest version

- The OS has had all the latest hotfixes and updates installed

- All scores you see are the averages after 3 benchmark runs

All IQ settings were adjusted in-game
 
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SKYMTL

HardwareCanuck Review Editor
Staff member
Joined
Feb 26, 2007
Messages
12,840
Location
Montreal
3DMark 11 (DX11)

3DMark 11 (DX11)


3DMark 11 is the latest in a long line of synthetic benchmarking programs from the Futuremark Corporation. This is their first foray into the DX11 rendering field and the result is a program that incorporates all of the latest techniques into a stunning display of imagery. Tessellation, depth of field, HDR, OpenCL physics and many others are on display here. In the benchmarks below we have included the results (at default settings) for both the Performance and Extreme presets.


Performance Preset

GTX-570-SOC-30.jpg


Extreme Preset

GTX-570-SOC-31.jpg
 

SKYMTL

HardwareCanuck Review Editor
Staff member
Joined
Feb 26, 2007
Messages
12,840
Location
Montreal
Battlefield 3 (DX11)

Battlefield 3 (DX11)


For this benchmark, we used a sequence from the Rock and Hard Place mission. The results may seem lower than normal and this is due to the fact that after playing through the game multiple times, this one are was found to be the most demanding on the GPU. As with all of the tests, we try to find a worst case scenario in order to ensure a given card can properly play through the whole game instead of just a “typical” section.

1920 x 1200

GTX-570-SOC-32.jpg


GTX-570-SOC-33.jpg


2560 x 1600

GTX-570-SOC-34.jpg


GTX-570-SOC-35.jpg
 

SKYMTL

HardwareCanuck Review Editor
Staff member
Joined
Feb 26, 2007
Messages
12,840
Location
Montreal
Crysis 2 (DX11)

Crysis 2 (DX11)


Crysis 2 with the DX11 and Texture Package installed not only looks great but it is a strain on any GPU. For this benchmark, we used a classic runthrough which includes far views, explosions, combat and close-in knifing; basically every hallmark of gameplay.

1920 x 1200

GTX-570-SOC-36.jpg


2560 x 1600

GTX-570-SOC-37.jpg
 

SKYMTL

HardwareCanuck Review Editor
Staff member
Joined
Feb 26, 2007
Messages
12,840
Location
Montreal
Deus Ex: Human Revolution (DX11)

Deus Ex: Human Revolution


Deus Ex: Human Revolution may not be the hardest game for today’s high end gaming rigs to render. While the game mostly takes place indoors, it is the few outdoor areas that put additional strain on graphics cards. So for this test, we use one of the more involved outdoor sections: the Sharif Manufacturing Loading Docks.

1920 x 1200

GTX-570-SOC-40.jpg


GTX-570-SOC-41.jpg


2560 x 1600

GTX-570-SOC-42.jpg


GTX-570-SOC-43.jpg
 

SKYMTL

HardwareCanuck Review Editor
Staff member
Joined
Feb 26, 2007
Messages
12,840
Location
Montreal
Dirt 3 (DX11)

Dirt 3


Dirt 3 isn’t all that much different from its predecessor but the developers have added a few more visual touches but boost image quality. In this case, we used the Michigan Rally track since it features some of the hardest to render features of the game: expansive vistas, water, dirt effects, trees and many other items.

1920 x 1200

GTX-570-SOC-44.jpg


GTX-570-SOC-45.jpg


2560 x 1600

GTX-570-SOC-46.jpg


GTX-570-SOC-47.jpg
 

SKYMTL

HardwareCanuck Review Editor
Staff member
Joined
Feb 26, 2007
Messages
12,840
Location
Montreal
Metro 2033 (DX11)

Metro 2033


For this test we use a walkthrough and combat scene from The Bridge level which starts at the beginning of the level and lasts for about 3 minutes of walking, running and combat. Famerates are measured with FRAPS and Advanced PhysX is turned off.

1920 x 1200

GTX-570-SOC-49.jpg


2560 x 1600

GTX-570-SOC-50.jpg
 

SKYMTL

HardwareCanuck Review Editor
Staff member
Joined
Feb 26, 2007
Messages
12,840
Location
Montreal
Shogun 2: Total War (DX11)

Shogun 2: Total War (DX11)


Due to its very nature, Shogun 2 is a tough game to benchamark since the in-game tool doesn’t accurately convey an in-game experience. So we took a pre-recorded battle which pits three large armies against one another and includes camera zooms, fog, gun smoke and other items. Using a pre-recorded sequence also effectively removes the CPU from the equation since it doesn’t have to process AI.

1920 x 1200

GTX-570-SOC-52.jpg


GTX-570-SOC-53.jpg


2560 x 1600

GTX-570-SOC-54.jpg


GTX-570-SOC-55.jpg
 

SKYMTL

HardwareCanuck Review Editor
Staff member
Joined
Feb 26, 2007
Messages
12,840
Location
Montreal
The Witcher 2 (DX9)

The Witcher 2 (DX9)


The Witcher 2 may be a DX9 based game but its graphics quality is beyond reproach. In this benchmark we take an area out of The Kayran mission and include one of the toughest effects the graphics engine has in store for the GPU: rain. Throughout this sequence, rain plays a large part but explosions, combat and even some sun shafts are included as well.

1920 x 1200

GTX-570-SOC-57.jpg


GTX-570-SOC-58.jpg


2560 x 1600

GTX-570-SOC-59.jpg


GTX-570-SOC-60.jpg
 
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