ASUS Announces R9 200 and R7 200 Series DirectCU II Graphics Cards

PRESS RELEASE

Exclusive direct-contact cooling technology and DIGI+ voltage-regulator module enable new AMD Radeon R9 and R7 GPUs to run 20% cooler and 3X quieter

Taipei, Taiwan (08 October, 2013) - ASUS today announced the launch of its R9 200 and R7 200 Series DirectCU II graphics cards, powered by the latest AMD Radeon^TM R9 and R7 series graphics-processing units (GPUs).

The new R9 280X, R9 270X and R7 260X graphics cards are brimming with exclusive ASUS technologies and tools including DirectCU II cooling technology for cooler and quieter gaming performance, DIGI+ voltage-regulator modules (VRMs) for smooth and stable power supply and GPU Tweak, an easy-to-use software for tuning the graphics card.

The R9 280X, R9 270X and R7 260X are all ASUS TOP-rated graphics cards, meaning they are overclocked to perform faster than reference - respectively turning in core speeds of 1070MHz, 1120MHz and 1188MHz.

Faster, quieter and cooler - even in the heat of battle

All three new graphics cards benefit from exclusive ASUS DirectCU II cooling technology. This puts highly-conductive copper cooling pipes in direct contact with a card's GPU so heat is dissipated quickly and with extreme efficiency. Compared with reference Radeon R9 and R7 designs, ASUS R9 280X, R9 270X and R7 260X with DirectCU II allow the latest AMD Radeon GPUs to run up to 20% cooler, three times (3X) quieter- so gamers can enjoy ultra-stable play with very low noise. R9 280X outperforms reference designs with an exclusive 10mm heat-pipe that transports 40% more heat away from the GPU and radiating fins with a surface area that's 220% larger - further improving cooling.

The fans of R9 280X, R9 270X, and R7 260X are all dust-proof, reducing debris accumulation and retaining peak performance over a longer lifespan. In addition, R9 280X boasts exclusive ASUS CoolTech fan technology. This innovative cooler's hybrid blade and bearing design, with inner radial blower and outer flower-shaped blades, delivers multi-directional airflow to accelerate heat removal and enable improved graphics performance.

Incredible stability with DIGI+ Super Alloy Power

R9 280X, R9 270X and R7 260X are all equipped with exclusive ASUS DIGI+ VRM with Super Alloy Power technology. Paired with Super Alloy Power solid-state capacitors, concrete-core chokes and hardened MOSFETs, DIGI+ VRM delivers multi-phase power and digital voltage regulation for increased graphics card stability and cleaner power, even during the most intense GPU activities.

DIGI+ VRM with Super Alloy Power technology also reduces power noise such as buzzing and increases the graphic card's longevity: compared to reference cards, power noise is reduced by as much as 30% and the card's expected lifespan by up to two-and-a-half times (2.5X).

Easy overclocking and online streaming

The included ASUS GPU Tweak utility enables R9 280X, R9 270X and R7 260X users intuitive control over GPU and video-memory clock speeds and voltages, cooling-fan speeds and power-consumption thresholds - so they can overclock easily and with high confidence. Multiple profiles for different games can also be created for rapid on-demand switching between custom performance setups.

R9 280X, R9 270X and R7 260X also include GPU Tweak Streaming, an online-streaming tool that lets users share on-screen action over the internet in real time - so others can watch live as games are played. It's even possible to add to the streaming window scrolling text, pictures and webcam images.

AVAILABILITY & PRICING

ASUS R9 280X, R9 270X and R7 260X DirectCU II graphics cards will be available in the UK from 11 October at Scan, eBuyer, Overclockers UK, Dabs, Novatech, DSG and Maplin.

1   Specifications and product availability are all subject to change without notice and may differ from country to country. Actual performance may vary depending on applications, usage, environment and other factors.

Full specifications are available at www.asus.com.

ABOUT ASUS

ASUS is a worldwide top-three consumer notebook vendor and maker of the world's best-selling, most award-winning, motherboards. A leading enterprise in the new digital era, ASUS designs and manufactures products that perfectly meet the needs of today's digital home and office, with a broad portfolio that includes motherboards, graphics cards, optical drives, displays, desktop and all-in-one PCs, notebooks, netbooks, servers, multimedia devices, wireless solutions, networking devices, tablets and smartphones. Driven by innovation and committed to quality, ASUS won 4,168 awards in 2012 and is widely credited with revolutionizing the PC industry with its Eee PC^TM. ASUS has more than 12,500 employees around the globe with a world-class R&D team of 3,800 engineers. Company revenue for 2012 was approximately US$14 billion.