The answer to a problem.

[Defunkt]

I have had a real dilemma off late. I have been keen to replace my AMD/ATI card with an Nvidia 570 or 580 but as I use duel monitors that are 27" and in 2560x1440 each I have run into the lack of VRAM problem that Nvidia cards come with when used on large and duel displays and been forced to use AMD cards due to their superior VRAM. This isn't a problem for those happy to use SLI/Xfire but for those of us that like to use a single graphics card to avoid all the problems that come with multi GPU set-ups and use multi displays in extra high res this is the answer to our prayers!

Gainward have again come up trumps with what looks to be a stunning graphics card. Not only using 3GB of DDR5 but with what looks to be one of the most stunning coolers and designs I have ever seen on a graphics card. The GTX 580 3072MB "Phantom"

Very happy and about time somebody addressed the VRAM issue on Nvidia cards.

 

[Guardsmon]

Looks good, I'd be interested in the 1280MB version of the GTX570 version at 345 euros if it runs nice and quiet. This tempory HD5770 is a noisy thing at stock. (sorry for that word - wasn't thinking)

 

[Steves1982]

Looks good, won't be cheap though though!

Might be worth it if it cools as well as it looks like it will.

 

[psychas]

zomg thats true pron !

 

[Kanpai]

zomg thats true pron !

 

[MichaelM]

Ehhhh passive cooling? or does it just look that way with a secret fan somewhere?

 

[psychas]

i doubt it passive im not sure 580 passive would be good idea maybe fans / fan somewhere inside cooler

 

[RavenXXX2]

What VRAM issue? 1500MB not enough lol. 3000MB is overkill and will add considerably to the price tag for no extra benefits unless you were running extreme surround vision res.

@ OP, you game on two monitors? what games you play on just two displays.

 

[Relentless81]

Thats going to be expensive and overkill running two monitors surely? But as with most things, if you have the disposable income then why not, it does look epic

 

[eXist]

did u last few posters see his res.....

2x monitors at 2560x1440 ( im guessing same as mine, the u2711? )

580gtx is NOT overkill for this res.

 

[shadow_boxer]

Epic looking card, triple slot cooler?

 

[Steves1982]

Ehhhh passive cooling? or does it just look that way with a secret fan somewhere?

According to Techpowerup:

'There are three fans on its reverse side, drawing air from the aluminum fin array, and onto the PCB'.

 

[bhavv]

I'd have two just cos of how epic it looks.

But I wont be able to afford them so thats a relief lol.

 

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

The HD6990 will be released soon so perhaps the OP should wait for this.

 

[Cythx]

I have had a real dilemma off late. I have been keen to replace my AMD/ATI card with an Nvidia 570 or 580 but as I use duel monitors that are 27" and in 2560x1440 each I have run into the lack of VRAM problem that Nvidia cards come with when used on large and duel displays and been forced to use AMD cards due to their superior VRAM. This isn't a problem for those happy to use SLI/Xfire but for those of us that like to use a single graphics card to avoid all the problems that come with multi GPU set-ups and use multi displays in extra high res this is the answer to our prayers!

Gainward have again come up trumps with what looks to be a stunning graphics card. Not only using 3GB of DDR5 but with what looks to be one of the most stunning coolers and designs I have ever seen on a graphics card. The GTX 580 3072MB "Phantom"

Very happy and about time somebody addressed the VRAM issue on Nvidia cards.

Nice find but 1) Why is dual monitor a problem? I'm pretty sure you can only a game one, or 3 with nvidia surround

2) SLI/Xfire doesn't add VRAM, you only get the VRAM from one card

3) Any word on pricing? I'd imagine at least £550? Considering they're 420 now and have half as many ram and no custom cooling, and espc. no 3 tower custom cooling

did u last few posters see his res.....

2x monitors at 2560x1440 ( im guessing same as mine, the u2711? )

580gtx is NOT overkill for this res.

Depends what you mean by overkill.

The only games my GTX /570/ can't run on full max on my 2560x1440 monitor are Crysis and Metro 2033.

At 'Very High' settings, you get around 29 fps in Metro 2033 and 25 fps in Crysis.

What VRAM issue? 1500MB not enough lol. 3000MB is overkill and will add considerably to the price tag for no extra benefits unless you were running extreme surround vision res.

@ OP, you game on two monitors? what games you play on just two displays.

From running afterburner, I can tell you I easily run out of 1.28 GB of RAM whenever I play at 2560x1440 with any decent amount of anti aliasing. x2 is sometimes enough to do it.

 

[Arcane]

Awesome looking card, a real pant twitcher.

 

[eXist]

* waits on the first retailer getting stock before placing order *

 

[RavenXXX2]

From running afterburner, I can tell you I easily run out of 1.28 GB of RAM whenever I play at 2560x1440 with any decent amount of anti aliasing. x2 is sometimes enough to do it.

Let's be honest at that res and with one card, AA will be a performance killer for the like of crysis and metro. Other less demanding games will be fine. 1500Mb is not limiting in anyway unless you game with surround res and AA in graphically demanding titles.

 

[Rofflay]

Could one speculate about vram usage in metro in 3D at 1920x1080 8xAA 16xAF?

I looked at 2560 res but it can never do 120hz which i prefer over res i think due to blurryness and input lag.So if i was gaming in crysis in 3D on a single 120hz screen using 8xmsaa or 16xmsaa is 1.5GB enough? Or would a 2-3GB card be needed? I dont think SLI solves the issue with shared RAM.

 

[Cosimo]

Awesome looking card, a real pant twitcher.

It is. I twitched and came down to earth very quickly.