This year ASUS has really showed some aggressiveness with their GTX 980 Ti offerings which include the Strix GTX 980 Ti, ROG Matrix 980 Ti, GTX 980 Ti 20^th Anniversary Edition Gold Platinum and the graphics card that we are going to review today, the ROG Poseidon GTX 980 Ti Platinum.

The ASUS ROG Poseidon GTX 980 Ti Platinum is the third iteration of Poseidon series after the Poseidon GTX 780 Platinum and last year’s Poseidon GTX 980 Platinum. OCDrift team has reviewed both cards and we enjoyed every moment playing with these cards. Featuring NVIDIA’s “Big Maxwell” GM200 silicon, the new Poseidon is equipped with hybrid DirectCU H2O cooling solution to incorporated the most advanced cooling solution called DirectCU H2O which offers users the choice to either chill the GPU by air cooling or liquid cooling. With liquid cooling, users can expect better overclocking performance while keeping the temperature as low as possible.

In today’s review, we are going to take a look at the performance of this graphics card and its overclocking potential on air cooling and liquid cooling. Let’s check it out!

Product Link: https://www.asus.com/Graphics-Cards/POSEIDON-GTX980TI-P-6GD5/

Suggested Retail Price: TBA

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Specifications

The ASUS ROG Poseidon GTX 980 Ti Platinum is built around NVIDIA’s “Big Maxwell” GM200 GPU which features 2,816 stream processors (TITAN X has 3,072), 96 ROPs, 176 GigaTexels/sec of Texture Units (TITAN X is 192 GT/s) and 384-bit memory bus. While the 6GB VRAM is still based around the GDDR5, NVIDIA’s next-gen Pascal GPU will employ second-gen High Bandwidth Memory (HBM V2), which offers massive bandwidth performance, efficient power consumption and super space saving as compared to the “conventional” GDDR5.

While the reference GeForce GTX 980 Ti features a GPU base clock of 1,000 MHz and boost clock of 1,075 MHz (maximum GPU boost clock of 1,139 MHz), the Poseidon GTX 980 Ti Platinum comes with three modes – Silent, Normal and OC mode. The new Poseidon’s clock is however not as aggressive as the Strix GTX 980 Ti that we’ve reviewed last month.

 

In Silent Mode, the base clock is 1,088 MHz and the boost clock is 1,176 MHz (maximum boost clock at 1,238 MHz), which is equivalent to an 8.8 % overclock from the reference GTX 980 Ti. The Strix GTX 980 Ti has a 1,164 MHz base clock and 1,265 MHz boost clock.

 

In Gaming mode, the base clock is 1,114 MHz (+11.4%) and the boost clock is 1,202 MHz (maximum boost clock at 1,264 MHz). The Strix GTX 980 Ti at the same mode is clocked higher at 1,190 MHz (+19%) base clock and 1,291 MHz boost clock.

 

OC mode sets the GPU base clock at 1,140 MHz (+14%) and the boost clock at 1,228 MHz (maximum boost clock at 1,291 MHz). Our review samples came out of the box with OC mode hence we will be using this mode throughout our benchmarking tests. The Strix GTX 980 Ti on the other hand, features a significantly higher factory overclock. It boasts a 1,216 MHz base clock (+22%) and the 1,317 MHz boost clock.

 

On the memory side of thing, ASUS has decided to retain the VRAM frequency at 1,753 MHz (7010 MHz effective). Of course, Hynix memory chip allows plenty of overclocking headroom when it’s aggressively pushed to the limit. As comparison, the Strix GTX 980 Ti’s VRAM is clocked higher at 1,800 MHz (7200 MHz effective).

 

Product Features

• Air or Liquid – Your Choice to Chill

Designed to provide superb performance on air or liquid, the ROG Poseidon graphics card incorporates DirectCU H2O to give you the flexibility and freedom of choice. Liquid cooling has been a choice for many PC enthusiast as an efficient means of heat removal and increased overclocking potential of carefully selected hardware. However, custom water cooling solutions can be difficult and costly, as original cooling solutions have to be removed and fitted with waterblocks. The ROG team engineered the Poseidon with revolutionary DirectCU H2O to give you the best of air and liquid cooling- providing total flexibility whether you are looking to liquid cool now or later. Venturing into liquid cooling with the Poseidon reduces GPU temperatures by up to 30°C and enjoy ultra-stable overclocking!

 

• ULTIMATE PERFORMANCE

 

• DirectCU H2O Hybrid Cooling

DirectCU H2O is a hybrid thermal solution that combines the vapor chamber and water channel with standard G1/4- inch threaded fittings to easily accommodate existing liquid cooling equipment. With liquid, DirectCU H2O achieves up to 2 times(30°C) lower temperatures while reducing noise- up to 3X quieter.

 

 

• 2X times (30°C) Cooler with Water Cooling

to 2 times(30°C) lower temperatures while reducing noise- up to 3X quieter.

 

• AUTO-EXTREME Technology

All ASUS graphics cards are now produced using AUTO-EXTREME Technology, an industry-first, 100% automated production process that incorporates premium materials to set a new standard of quality. AUTO-EXTREME Technology ensures consistent graphics card quality as well as improved performance and longevity. This new manufacturing process is also environmentally friendly, eliminating harsh chemicals and reducing power consumption by 50%.

 

 

• 8+2 Phase Super Alloy Power II

ASUS engineers have integrated premium components into their graphics card designs to reinforce overall reliability. Super Alloy Power II components greatly enhance efficiency, reduce power loss, provide 2X reduced component buzzing while under full load, and achieve thermal levels that are approximately 50% cooler than previous designs.

 

 

 

• Gamer Style

POSEIDON GTX 980Ti outperforms your expectation – and it also looks amazing. An awesome LED pulsates in glorious ROG red when the card is in use – an attention-grabbing beacon of brilliance!

 

 

• GPU Tweak II with XSplit Gamecaster

Tweak Till Your Heart’s Content. Redesigned with an intuitive, all-new UI, GPU Tweak II makes overclocking easier and more visual than ever, while still retaining advanced options for seasoned overclockers. With one click, the new Gaming Booster function maximizes system performance by removing redundant processes and allocating all available resources automatically. XSplit Gamecaster lets you easily stream or record your gameplay right from a convenient, in-game overlay.

 

 

• Gaming Booster

 One-click Performance Up

 

Visual effects:

Boost your performance by turning off windows visual effects.

 

System Services:

Automatically or manually turn off windows services or process.

 

Memory Defragmentation:

Re-arrange & free your system memory without closing any processes.

Select PageIntroduction, Specifications, Special FeaturesUnboxingTest Setup & Testing MethodologySynthetic BenchmarksAlien Isolation, Assassin’s Creed: Unity, Batman: Arkham Origins, Battlefield 4BioShock Infinite, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, Crysis 3, Dirt RallyFar Cry 4, F1 2015, Grand Theft Auto V, GRID AutosportHitman Absolution, Metro Last Light, Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor, Sleeping DogsThe Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Tomb Raider, Total War: Attila, Watch DogsTemperature & Power ConsumptionOverClockingThoughts & Verdicts