Asus Maximus IV Gene-Z Intel Z68 and Asus Matrix GTX580 Platinum Review: a guest post and review by Peter Lo
Close up – Asus Matrix GTX 580 Platinum
 |
 |
On my perspective view, the box is huge, very HUGE. i thought the package for the Matrix GTX580 is similar to GTX580 DirectCU II. The box dimension is similar to the box of Maximus IV Extreme-Z. you can open the front flap to view the beautifully designed graphics card.
 |
 |
The package contains the Matrix GTX580 Platinum graphics card (of course), two 6 pin adapters to 8pin if your system lacked 8pin PCI-E power, SLI bridge, DVI to VGA adapter, Installation DVD and Installation guide.
The graphics card itself is huge in fact it occupies 3 slots of your expansion slot of your case. If you want this installed in Maximus IV Gene-Z in SLI configuration, I’m afraid not because of 2 slot allowance of PCI-E ports. SLI configuration would be possible on full ATX motherboard. Design wise, similar to ENGTX580 DCII with more aggressive styling made out of aluminum with ROG engrave logo.
 |
 |
Graphics card length size is 11.5inch long, 2.6 slot and 5 inches width. This card means business for high performance. On the side, has chrome bezel and illuminating Matrix logo. It turns baby blue when idle, blue for light load, purple on heavy load and red for extreme load.
 |
 |
It has Asus own designed backplate to dissipate heat from the memory. It sports 2 large fans for lower operating temperature and improves Overclocking performance.
 |
 |
Rear output ports consist of 2 DVI ports, 1 HDMI and 1 Display Port. They placed a SAFE MODE button if anything goes wrong with the clock rate, you just hit this button.
 |
 |
Those 2 8pin PCI-E power ports are the sign that you must have a very serious power supply for this. A minimum of 700W true rated power supply is required. Beside the 8 pin ports are button that you can override the fan to its maximum velocity. The + and – buttons used for instant voltage adjustment for the core.
