ASUS launch GTX 670 Direct CU Mini Graphics Card

Today ASUS have released the newest addition to their range of compact graphics cards. The aptly named GTX 670 Direct CU mini is a small version of Nvidia’s GTX 670 video card. The mini-variant from ASUS has been designed primarily with small form factor systems in mind such as mini-ITX based systems. The objective is to give as much performance as possibly in a very small and efficient form factor.

The ASUS GTX 670 Direct CU mini measures in at 17cm, or 6.7 inches, while the standard reference Nvidia GTX 670 measures in at 24.13cm, or 9.5 inches. This much smaller form factor allows compatibility with nearly every case on the market, allows you to build a potent portable LAN gaming rig or even a HTPC that packs some serious punch.

Despite the size ASUS have still managed to cram their legendary Direct CU cooler onto it that offers a vapor chamber and wide angled cooling fan to cool the GPU, VRM and Memory components. The design uses a copper vapour chamber directly above the GPU and despite the reduced size it still offers 20% lower temperatures than the Nvidia GTX 670 reference design. The included CoolTech fan is a “blower/axial crossover” design with three times quieter operation than the reference Nvidia counterpart.

Being an ASUS card, it wouldn’t be complete without high quality power circuitry. The GTX 670 Direct CU Mini uses Direct Power Technology which bridges power delivery components and the GPU for clean and efficient power supply, delivering 56% lower impedance and a 15% cooler PCB. As well as that the Super Alloy Power capacitors, chokes, and MOSFETs are hardened against heat and stress, averaging 2.5 times the lifespan of generic parts.

The box suggests it will be overclocked and according to the ASUS website the card will have a base clock of 928MHz on the core with a 1006MHz boost, compared to the reference 915/980MHz and a standard 6008MHz effective memory clock. Pricing is not yet available but expect it to be around 10-20% more expensive than the reference GTX 670 graphics card.

Source: Press Release