Asus Matrix graphics cards to feature dedicated overclocking chip

Posted at: 2:37pm 27th August 2008 by Antony Leather

More details on ROG Matrix graphics cards and P6T Nehalem Motherboards

Asus has revealed official details on ROG Matrix graphics cards and Nehalem Motherboards. Following the announcement in Berlin last week, Asus has provided more information on a range of new products. More facts have emerged about their ROG Matrix graphics cards including slides picturing the iTracker overclocking application. As we mentioned in our initial report, the new Matrix graphics cards are equipped with additional controller chips on the PCB which Asus calls Super Hybrid Engine, and that allow users to increase the voltage to both the GPU core and memory.

This is highlighted in the new slides from Asus showing a simple interface with slider bars adjusting core, memory and shader clock speed and voltages. The Super Hybrid Engine chips also allow for increased monitoring of the graphics cards including GPU, memory, PCI-E 3.3v and 12v, additional temperature readings and even independent power consumption of the GPU, memory and PCB.

Power usage and performance are big features on the Matrix graphics cards. In 2D mode using a GeForce 9600 GT, Asus claim power usage is 26% lower than a standard model. Asus also says overclocking headroom provided by the Hybrid Cooler and Super Hybrid Engine means that performance can be increased by up to 26% over a standard 9600 GT. Another interesting feature is the way the fan is controlled: normally this is set in relation to the GPU temperature but the Matrix graphics cards will use the work load of the GPU to determine the required fan speed.

We’ve already spotted the 9600 GT version of the Matrix cards over at www.lambda-tek.com. Although not on sale yet, the price of £109.95 (inc VAT) means they don’t appear to be vastly more expensive than standard models. Initially the Matrix series will comprise cards based on just two GPUs, a GeForce 9600 GT and a Radeon HD 4850.

More details have also surfaced on the ASUS P6T series motherboards. ROG project manager Derek Yu and Zack Lee spoke about the future of Asus’ high end motherboards at their Advanced Overclocking Championship in Berlin last week. Its claimed features will include a 34% better peak to peak Vdroop and a return of TweakIT, Asus’ direct hardware overclocking featured on their current X48 chipset motherboards. For more information see the slides in the gallery below.