Review

ASUS ROG STRIX RTX 2070 OC Gaming Review

In August NVIDIA announced the GeForce RTX 20 Series based on NVIDIA's new Turing GPU architecture which is succeeding the current Pascal-powered GeForce GTX 10 series. NVIDIA's Turing GPU architecture is built on TSMC's 12nm FFN process and are designed on a hardware and software level to enable realtime raytracing i.e. RTX for games. To know more about NVIDIA's Turing GPU architecture click here

During officially release NVIDIA announced three GeForce RTX 20 models the 2080 Ti, 2080, and 2070. Following is the NVIDIA GeForce Specification Comparison.

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 reference design.

And today thanks to ASUS India, we are reviewing our first custom NVIDIA 2070 graphics card, the ASUS ROG STRIX RTX 2070 8G OC Gaming card. ASUS ROG STRIX RTX 2070 boasts 2304 CUDA cores, with a base clock of 1410 MHz and a 1620 MHz boost frequency as well as 42T RTX-OPS and 6 Giga Rays/s. Like its bigger brother the RTX 2080, the RTX 2070 boasts 8GB of the new, efficient GDDR6 memory with 448GB/s memory bandwidth through a 256-bit bus.

Against NVIDIA 2070 reference design, the ASUS ROG STRIX RTX 2070 card offers custom PCB design with massive 2.5-slot heatsink and STRIX triple fan intelligent cooling approach with FanConnect II and features like Aura Sync lighting, GPU Tweak II and more

With STRIX triple fan cooling solution and a custom PCB design from ASUS, let's find out what more this card offers.

Features

• NVIDIA TURING™: ROG GeForce RTX™ graphics cards are powered by the Turing GPU architecture and the all-new RTX platform. This gives you up to 6X the performance of previous-generation graphics cards and brings the power of real-time ray tracing and AI to games.
• DirectX 12: Power new visual effects and rendering techniques for more lifelike gaming.
• NVIDIA Shadowplay™ Record and share high-quality gameplay videos, screenshots, and livestreams with your friends.
• Patented Wing-blade Fans deliver high air pressure, reduced noise levels, IP5X certified dust resistance, and 0dB mode for silent gaming.*
• MaxContact Technology allows 2X more contact with the GPU chip for improved thermal transfer.
• Auto-Extreme Technology uses automation to enhance reliability.
• Super Alloy Power II includes premium alloy chokes, solid polymer capacitors, and an array of high-current power stages to fuel Turing™’s cores.
• ASUS FanConnect II equips 2 hybrid-controlled fan headers for optimal system cooling.
• GPU Tweak II provides intuitive performance tweaking and thermal controls.

Patented Wing-blade Fans
They're pretty fly
Our patented Wing-blade fan design is cool and quiet with 105% greater static pressure over the heatsink compared to traditional axial fans. IP5X dust resistance seals the fan's internals from particle ingress to keeps things running smoothly.

0dB Technology
Quiet intelligence
0dB technology allows fans to stop spinning when the GPU core temperature remains below 55 Celsius, letting you enjoy light gaming in complete silence*. If temps rise, the fans automatically start up again.

MaxContact Technology
Precision-machined heat spreader
MaxContact is an industry-first technology that utilizes precision machining to create a heat spreader surface that makes up to 2X more contact with the GPU chip, resulting in improved thermal transfer.

ASUS Auto-Extreme Technology
Precision Automated Manufacturing
All ROG Strix graphics cards are produced using Auto-Extreme Technology, an automated manufacturing process that sets new standards in the industry. Traditionally, soldering of through-hole and surface-mounted components needs to be performed in separate stages. Auto-Extreme Technology allows all soldering to be completed in a single pass, reducing thermal strain on components and avoiding the use of harsh cleaning chemicals. The end result is less environmental impact, lower manufacturing power consumption, and a more reliable product.

Reinforced Frame
Architecture FTW
Our engineers have boosted the ROG Strix GeForce RTXâ„¢ 2070's structural integrity by 3X with a metal brace that prevents excessive torsion and lateral bending of the PCB.

ASUS Aura Sync
Outshine The Competition
The ROG Strix GeForce RTXâ„¢ 2070 feature Aura RGB lighting on both the shroud and backplate. Get Aura Sync software to connect your compatible products for a completely customized gaming setup. You can sync to music, change color based on temperature, or select from a large number of patterns and static options, so make sure to look out for the Aura Sync logo when you're picking parts for your build.

Stealth mode
Be a ninja
Sometime you just want to turn off all the lights… That's why we've outfitted the ROG Strix GeForce RTX™ 2070 with a convenient stealth mode button. Give it a press and you'll instantly transform from a master of the color-verse into a stealthy ninja.

Dual Bios
Choose wisely
Do you prioritize low core temps or low noise levels? Performance mode will let the fans spin up to keep the card running cool all the time. Quiet mode keeps the same power target and top-end settings, but offers a less aggressive fan curve for quieter operation at medium temps. For even more customization and control, check out our GPU Tweak II software.

ASUS FanConnect II
Smarter fan speed
ASUS FanConnect II features two 4-pin, hybrid-controlled headers that can be connected to both PWM and DC system fans for optimal system cooling. Connected fans react to GPU and CPU temperatures, so that your system is optimally cooled no matter what you do. A comprehensive set of tuning options allow you to tweak fan speeds for your preferred balance of cooling and acoustics.

Virtual Reality
See me now?
By combining advanced VR rendering, real-time ray tracing, and AI, the ROG Strix GeForce RTXâ„¢ 2070 will take VR to a new level of realism. Cable management is much improved with VirtualLink, which utilizes an Alternate Mode of USB Type-Câ„¢ to provide a quick, single-cable connection for next-generation VR headsets.

NVIDIA® G-SYNC™ Technology
Smooth operator
The ROG Strix GeForce RTX™ 2070 feature NVIDIA® G-SYNC™ display technology for the smoothest and fastest gaming imaginable, eliminating screen tearing and minimizing display stutter and input lag. Enjoy the latest first-person shooters, sports and action-adventure games at super-fast frame rates, even at the highest graphics settings!

Specifications

Package

The STRIX RTX 2070 comes in a box securely packaged with actual product picture and STRIX graphics and features highlights on front and the back of the box.

Inside the box

Along with the GFX card box also includes Software installation CD, quick start guide one PCI-e power cable and two ROG Velcro cable tie straps.

Looks

Card is having great looks with complete black theme. In front we have a big triple fan cooling with patented wing-blade fans mounted on to the new maxcontact technology heatsink.

Back of the card have a thick back-plate with complete coverage of the PCB. Beside etched graphics backplate also have a large ‘Republic of Gamers' logo with RGB lighting which can be fully customized.

Due to the thick cooling solution card is a 2.5 slot design, but you will need 3 standard slots available to accommodate the card inside your PC.

Back side of this new Strix card features a dual BIOS switch and stealth mode switch to turn off all the card's lighting.

Card have a 8-pin and a 6-pin PCI-E power connectors, which along with the PCI-E lane's power to power this beast.

At the rear of the card we have lot of connectivity options consisting of HDMI Output : Yes x 2 (Native) (HDMI 2.0b), Display Port : Yes x 2 (Native) (DisplayPort 1.4), HDCP Support : Yes (2.2), USB Type-C Support: Yes x1

On the case inside end of the card we can see the new Asus Fanconnect II headers – a unique feature allowing you to connect two 4-pin CPU / GPU PWM-controlled fans instead of plugging them into your motherboard.

Inside

Removing the heatsink reveals all nickel plated cooling solution with six copper pipe fused onto a big copper base which is finely milled to give the GPU silicon perfect flat contact with the heatsink.

Whole PCB is given rigidity with strong aluminum frame.

Closer look

NVIDIA's TU106 Turing architecture graphics processor made on a 12 nm process with 10.8 billion transistors packed in a 445mm2 die.

Card comes with eight Micron GDDR6 memory chips 8QA77D9WCW, making it total of 8GB V-memory running at 1750 MHz (14 Gbps GDDR6 effective)

Card have 8+2 phase VRM power configuration. Where 8 phase VCore is powered by Texas Instruments CSD95481RWJ 60A Synchronous Buck NexFETâ„¢ Smart Power Stages and 2 phase memory VRM uses ON Semiconductor FDMF3170 Smart Power Stage module with integrated PowerTrench MOSFETs and driver chip , all controlled by uP9512Q and uPcontroller and

For Asus Fanconnect II implementation iTE 8915FN-56 chip is used in this card.

For Aura RGB lighting ASUS uses Monolithic Power Systems (MPS) MP2888A multi phase PWM controller chip.

All the Current & Power Monitors and Regulations are managed ON Semiconductor NCP45491Current Monitor chips

Testing

Test system configuration -

Software

Benchmarks

3D MARK Time Spy

3D MARK Fire Strike

UNIGINE Superposition

Temperatures

Room Temperature: 30C

In idle, the temperature is real good and at full load running 3D Mark Time Spy temperature was ok and fans were not loud at all.

Power Consumption

Wattage reading as per displayed by APC Pro 1000VA (Model no. BR1000G-IN) UPS.

Pros

• Nice 4K Performance
• Dual Bios Switch
• Factory overclocked
• Very quiet
• Nice Cooling
• Excellent build quality
• Back plate
• RGB lighting with LED ON/OFF switch
• Extra fan connectors

Cons

• No NVLink SLI support
• No RTX support for Windows 7

Conclusion

ASUS ROG STRIX RTX 2070 8G OC Gaming card gives a great gaming experience at 1440p but still can't beat a 1080Ti. So for those who already having GTX 10 series cards, I don't think there is any reason to upgrade, as RTX in games is still no thing. Unless there is no such thing as budget for you, than spend some extra bucks and get the RTX 2080Ti. But still if you want to buy NVIDIA RTX 2070 card than the ASUS ROG STRIX GeForce RTX 2070 OC Gaming graphics card is one of the best custom RTX 2070 graphics card out there.

Being just a NVIDIA RTX 2070 card their is nothing particularly impressive about it, but with ASUS custom PCB design and STRIX triple fan cooling solution the ASUS ROG STRIX GeForce RTX 2070 OC Gaming graphics card is our choice for the RTX 2070 graphics card and worthy of our PC TeK Reviews CHOICE Award.

Manufacturers Info

Thanks.

Comments