Zaključak

Za početak krećemo s analizom performansi. Gigabyteica je kao što smo vidjeli u svim testovima nešto brža od Asusice unatoč činjenici kako je potonja nazivno brža zbog viših tvorničkih taktova. Problem je u činjenici kako ni ti taktovi nisu krajnji i kako smo redovito viđali i brzine preko 1200MHz u boostu. Razlog zbog kojeg je Gigabyteica brža je ravnomjernije i duže zadržavanje na višim taktovima, što smo vidjeli iz GPU-Z logova. Tako smo izračunali da Asusica u prosjeku radi na oko 1170MHz (u peaku čak i do 1280MHz), a Gigabyteica na oko 1215MHz (peak na oko 1230MHz). Unatoč višem vršnom taktu, Asusica u konačnici gubi jer se Gigabyteica u istim naslovima u prosjeku duže zadržava na iznad 1200MHz.

GTX660Ti kartice su kao što smo vidjeli dosta brze. U nekim su slučajevima brže (BF3, DiRT3, Hard Reset Demo, Heaven B.), a u nekim sporije od HD7950 (Batman AC, Crysis 2, Hard Reset, Shogun 2, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.). Ista usporedba vrijedi za referentne i tvornički overclockirane verzije. U odnosu na GTX670 je GTX660Ti dosta sporija i to u prosjeku za oko 18%. Direktna je to posljedica uže memorijske sabirnice. No, s obje su kartice najnoviji naslovi vrlo igrivi pa ukoliko se ostvare prognoze sa oko 700 kuna nižom cijenom za GTX660Ti (preporučena cijena za Europsko tržište iznosi 259 € bez poreza na dodanu vrijednost), to i nije tako velik gubitak na performansama – jedino nam nije jasno kako Nvidija i partneri na ovome zarađuju. No, sa stajališta kupca situacija je izvrsna. GTX660Ti modeli bi u prosjeku trebali koštati kao i HD7950, čak možda i malo ispod kada se situacija na tržištu stabilizira a prednost im je znatno niža potrošnja, niže zagrijavanje i u prosjeku ipak mrvicu više performanse. Problem s razlikom u performansama će AMD pokušati riješiti najavljenim HD7950 modelom koji donosi Boost tehnologiju i kojem će čip raditi na 850MHz (umjesto na 800MHz) i u boostu na 925MHz, no i dalje ostaje pitanje potrošnje gdje je GTX660TI nenadmašna.

Asus je kao i uvijek napravio odličan posao sa kvalitetom izrade, masivnošću, materijalima i performansama. O DirectCU II hlađenju smo već pisali a možemo ponoviti samo pohvale. Niti u jednom trenutku kartica nije bučna, a temperature nisu previsoke. Performanse su vrlo dobre i daljnji overclocking nije ni potreban – a za ovaj tvornički ionako imate garanciju. Bundle nije naročit, no sa niskim zaradama koje proizvođači imaju na ovim modelima nije ni mogao biti bogatiji. Ipak, Asus se više potrudio oko same kartice koja u svakom pogledu "miriše" na premium proizvod.

Gigabyteova je kartica za razliku od Asusove malo skromnija i po pitanju pakiranja i po pitanju izrade. Gdje Asusova ima moćan i masivan aluminijski oklop, Gigabyteica donosi tanki plastični nosač ventilatora. Ipak, zahvaljujući dobro riješenom hlađenju sa dva 100 mm ventilatora i vjerojatno bolje posloženim BIOS-om, Gigabyteica u prosjeku uspijeva izvući više taktove koji joj u konačnici donose i više performanse. Ovu će karticu kupovati ponajprije korisnici kojima nije bitna masivnost i premium osjećaj no na kraju će se sve svesti na cijenu – barem na našem tržištu. S obzirom da ona ovoga trenutka još nije poznata obje kartice zbog navedenih prednosti i nedostataka zaslužuju istu ocjenu.

 

Conclusion

We begin our conclusion with the analysis of performance. As we have seen in all tests, Gigabyte`s card was slightly faster than Asus`s despite the fact that the latter is nominally faster due to higher factory clock. The problem lies in the fact that neither of these clocks are final, and as we have seen they normally operate at speeds well over 1200MHz in boost. The reason Gigabyte`s card is faster because it had a smoother transition and stays longer at higher speeds, as we saw from GPU-Z logs. Thus, we calculated that in average Asus`s card runs at about 1170MHz (with peak of up 1280MHz) and Gigabyte`s averages about 1215MHz (with lower peak at around 1230MHz). So, despite the higher peak speeds, Asus`s card ultimately loses because Gigabyte` stays longer above 1200MHz.

As our test show GTX660Ti cards are very fast. In some cases, the card is quicker (BF3, DiRT3, Hard Reset Demo, Heaven B.), and some slower than the HD7950 (Batman AC, Crysis 2, Hard Reset, Shogun 2, STALKER). The same applies to the comparison of the reference and factory overclocked versions. In comparison to the GTX670, GTX660Ti is slower on average by about 18% which is a lot. This is a direct consequence of narrower memory bus. However, with the suggested retail price for the European market of 259 €, GTX660Ti is substantially cheaper than GTX670. We can live with the performance penalty for the price difference, but how Nvidia and its partners make money of this is beyond us. GTX660Ti models should have an average cost as the HD7950, maybe even a little below when the market situation stabilizes. It has an advantage of significantly lower power consumption, lower heat emission and on average a bit better performance. The problem with the difference in performance will be resolved by announced HD7950 with Boost Technology, which will operate at 850MHz (instead of 800MHz) and at 925MHz in boost. But the issue of much higher consumption still stays.

Asus, as always, did a great job with the build quality, ruggedness, and material quality. We have praised DirectCU II cooling in the past already, and same applies here. Card is not noisy at any time, and the temperatures are very reasonable. Performance is very good and further overclocking is not really needed – not to mention you have the warranty on already overclocked card. Bundle is nothing special, but with low profit that manufacturers have on these models this is understandable. But we think that Asus already invested a lot in making this a premium product which it definitely is.

Gigabyte’s card as opposed to the Asus is a little bit modest in terms of packaging and in terms of materials (especially with cooling system). Where Asus has a powerful and massive aluminum armor Gigabyte brings a thin plastic fan holder. However, thanks to the well resolved cooling with two 100 mm fans and probably better arranged BIOS, Gigabyte`s card is faster on average than Asus`s TOP model. This card will buy primarily users who won’t focus on massive and premium built quality, but the decider will be the end price – at least in our market. As of this moment it is not yet known how much each of these cards will cost, so that’s why we will give them the same grade.