Recently, ASUS launched the “renewed” non-reference Pitcairn XT based GPU, the R9 270X DirectCU II TOP. The TOP series is running on selected 1120MHz cores which run 80MHz higher than reference for smoother gameplay. It is also equipped with DIGI+ VRM components, providing 30% less power noise and 2.5X longer lifespan as well as 8-phase Super Alloy Power which delivers precise digital power for superior efficiency, reliability, and performance. The graphics card also bundles with in-house GPU Tweak utility to helps you modify clock speeds, voltages, fan performance and more. ASUS made a slight changes to the DirectCU II technology with a precision-shaped SSU heatpipes that utilizes highly-conductive copper and directly-centered GPU placement to double cooling efficiency in the same space.
Product Link: http://www.asus.com/Graphics_Cards/R9270XDC2T2GD5/
Suggest Retail Price: RM 899
Specifications
Unboxing
There’s no changes to the retail packaging with ASUS graphics card, sporting the three claw marks on the top right. Luckily, the beastly claw damage seems contained well enough to allow plenty of information about the graphic cards and features to be organizes all over the box.
At the front view of the R9 270X DirectCU II TOP packaging, ASUS highlights the TOP Edition, which is the highest in its product lineup after OC Edition. 2GB VRAM, DiGi+ VRM as well as GPU Tweak are listed.
R9 270X DirectCU II TOP – Side View
At the back of the packaging, you are able to find more features and information of the R9 270X DirectCU II TOP.
Inside the main packaging there lies another black box which contains the graphics card itself and related accessories.
Beneath it is the smaller black box which contains all the accessories bundled with the graphics card.
Finally, below it user can find the card itself wrapped with frosted anti-static plastic
+ ASUS GPU Tweak & Driver
+ GPU DIY Manual Guide
+ Power Adapter
+ Crossfire bridge cable
Front view of ASUS Radeon R9 270X DirectCU II TOP has a very pleasing overall aesthetic with the ROG red and black colour theme. This card is equipped with 2 fans that perform silently even under full speed.
The R9 270X DirectCU II TOP uses a black PCB which is always nice to see
PCI-E 3.0 connector on the R9 270X DirectCU II TOP
A single CrossFireX connector is provided for up to 2 way CFX
This card provide up to 4 way of display connector:
+ D-Sub Output : Yes x 1 (via DVI to D-Sub adaptor x 1)
+ DVI Output : Yes x 2
+ HDMI Output : Yes x 1
+ Display Port : Yes x 1 (Regular DP)
+ HDCP Support : Yes
Aside from those there is a half slot vent for a little additional ventilation.
The ASUS Radeon R9 270X DirectCU II TOP has the same double 6-pin power requirement as most other R9 270X’s. There is a small LED on the top of the PCB that light up when the card is plugged into the PCI slot, the red LED will light up if there isn’t power to the 6 pin connection and green LED light up when the card is ready to run. This is a great way to confirm if having issues and maybe a plug has come undone.
This card required 2 PCI slot and has both the ASUS badge as well as the DirectCU II logo on the fan shroud.
The 4 pin fan power connector.
There is 4 screw need to be removed before user can detach it from the PCB. There is 3 8mm nickel plated copper heatpipes protrude from the GPU die and 3 upper-most memory chips get covered by the thermal pad attached to the aluminum block. The rest of the memory chips reside under the fin stack and should get plenty of airflow from the fans.
The core of this card running with AMD’s Pitcairn graphics processor uses the GCN shader architecture. It is produced on a 28 nm process at TSMC. The transistor count is 2.8 billion.
The GDDR5 memory chips are by Elpida and carry the model number W2032BBBG-6A-F. They are specified to run at 1500 MHz (6000 MHz GDDR5 effective).
ASUS implements 8 phase power design (6 GPU & 2 memory) for the R9 270X DirectCU II TOP. The reference design power delivery of R9 270X is 7 phases (5 GPU & 2 memory).
ASUS claims 30% more stable overclocking potential and 15% better power efficiency because of the DIGI+ VRM Super Alloy power design on this card.
Test bench
This is the setup that I used for the whole testing and benchmarking process for the ASUS Radeon R9 270X DirectCU II TOP.
ASUS GPU Tweak
ASUS GPU Tweak is useful software that allows optimizing clock speeds, voltage and fanning speeds on up to four graphics cards independently or simultaneously, user can also select between GPU Tweak’s Standard or Advanced modes depending on your level of experience. GPU Tweak describes its function in simplicity with no complication and gives user a lot of headroom for overclocking.
The main menu of ASUS GPU Tweak software utilities. What is displayed are the 3D clock speeds, voltage and memory clock speed. By scrolling down you will see the rest of the options including power target and control of both fans, which is on auto by default. User either can use the slider to set the value or click in the number field or manually key in the value.
This utilities also come with ASUS GPU-Z for the current graphic card information and specification. This section can be access from clicking the GPU Info from the main menu.
There is a long list of monitors where user can add to the window: GPU Temperature, GPU Usage, Fan Duty, Fan Speed, GPU Clock, GPU Voltage, Memory Voltage, Memory Clock, Processor Clock and Power target status.
Overclock Performance
During the test I manage to mild overclock the card and let it running stable at 1250MHz which is 130MHz higher than stock clock
The highest temperature was recorded at 68 degree by stressing using MSI Kombustor utilities for 20 minutes.
Benchmark Result
3DMark 11 @ Performance and Extreme Preset setting
Unigine Heaven @ Maximum preset
Unigine Valley @ Maximum preset
Resident Evil 6 @ 1920×1080 | Anti Alias FXAA3HQ | High Quality Setting
Street Fighter IV @ 1920×1080 | Anti Alias C16XQ | Texture Filter 16x | Highest Quality Preset
Assassins Creed IV FPS @ 1920×1080 | EQAA 16X | HBAO+ | Maximum graphic preset
Batman Arkham City FPS @ 1920×1080 | Maximum graphic preset
Batman Arkham Origin FPS @ 1920×1080 | Maximum graphic preset
Battlefield 4 FPS @ 1920×1080 | 4x MSSA | HBAO | Ultra graphic preset
Bioshock Infinite FPS @ 1920×1080 | Maximum graphic preset
Call of Duty Ghosts FPS @ 1920×1080 | HBAO+ | SMAA | Maximum graphic preset
Dead Island Riptide FPS @ 1920×1080 | Maximum graphic preset
Splinter Cell Blacklist FPS @ 1920×1080 | Ultra | Anisotropic 16X | MSAA 4X
Tomb Rider FPS @ 1920×1080 | Maximum graphic preset
Metro Last Night FPS @ 1920×1080 | Maximum graphic preset
Conclusion
The TOP Edition from ASUS is always regarded as one of the best in the market, providing one of the highest GPU clockspeed as well as tremendous cooling solution via the DirectCU II technology. The ASUS R9 270X DirectCU II TOP core achieved commendable OC clockspeed judging from its already high stock clockspeed. I managed to OverClock the card to an increase of 130MHz. The ASUS R9 270X DirectCU II TOP is impressive at it’s performance/price ratio. At a price tag of RM 899, it performs better that ASUS GTX760 DirectCU II OC (RM 1,199) which was tested few months ago.
Finally, I would like to thank ASUS Malaysia for the opportunity given to test the ASUS Radeon R9 270X DirectCU II TOP graphics card.
Performance: 4/5
Materials: 5/5
Specifications: 5/5
Appearance: 5/5
Performance/Price Value: 4/5
Pros:
+ Overclocked out of the box
+ Easy to further overclock
+ Included an awesome ASUS GPU Tweak
+ Informative user guide manual
+ Low temperatures
+ Very quiet in idle
Cons:
- Does not support AMD TrueAudio
ASUS Radeon R9 270X DirectCU II TOP received Gold Award from OCDrift.com
Disclaimer: OCDrift.com gives out our own award based on the Hardware Performance, OverClocking Ability, Innovation, and Value as determined by the reviewer
shah93
