ASUS DirectCUII cooler versions

[Rikard]

Hi all,

I am trying to figure out exact differences between the earlier DC2 cooler and the one labeled V2 that came later this year. The cards in question are 7850, 7870, and 7950, and for the last card the V2 is quite a bit shorter than the original version. I am interested in if there is a difference it OC performance, noise, heat, TPD. My guess is that they had more time to pick appropriate silicon for the cards thereby reducing OC performance, while a newer cooler could give better performance, but that is indeed a guess. I dont trust ASUS sales pitch on this matter!

The price listings in my country give completely random price differences when the two DC2 versions are available in the same store, and I was hoping for a bargain of the "right" cooler.

 

[Scoobyboo]

I was wondering the same thing actually...

 

[Rikard]

I figured that I am not the only one wanting to know the answer to this. It seems nobody actually have tested the different versions.

As for the pricing, in my local store
7850: v2 is 6 CHF cheaper
7870: v2 is 11 CHF more expensive
7950: v2 is 22 CHF more expensive
1 CHF ~ 1 USD

 

[jacktesterson]

They are not the only ones.

Sapphire released new versions of the 7850/7870 as well that look identical to the original versions at lower price points, rather than discounting the original version, but early feedback I've seen online is they don't OC as well.

The Asus 7850 (V1 was 870 MHz stock) O/C'd very well. The V2 model is 860 MHz and I'm also wondering if it took a hit with O/C.


I think if you were going to buy an Asus, I'd take my luck on a V1 revision until we hear more about the V2's

 

[balane]

I can't speak for the V2 but I have the original 7870 version and without even trying I have it running at 1220/1450 and temps peak at 75C on stock voltage. The ASIC quality was just a hair under 90% fwiw. The fans are fairly loud under load however, I was disappointed with that.

http://wccftech.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/ASUS-Radeon-HD-7870-Direct-CU-II-Revision.jpg
http://wccftech.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/ASUS-Radeon-HD-7870-Direct-CU-II.jpg

The original has 6mm heatpipes vs. 8mm for the V2.
Two different fans vs. two identical fans.
1 x DVI & Larger exhaust vent vs. 2 x DVI and Smaller vent.
Heatsink + Radiator vs. Single giant radiator.

 

[jacktesterson]

I can't speak for the V2 but I have the original 7870 version and without even trying I have it running at 1220/1450 and temps peak at 75C on stock voltage. The ASIC quality was just a hair under 90% fwiw. The fans are fairly loud under load however, I was disappointed with that.

http://wccftech.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/ASUS-Radeon-HD-7870-Direct-CU-II-Revision.jpg
http://wccftech.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/ASUS-Radeon-HD-7870-Direct-CU-II.jpg

The original has 6mm heatpipes vs. 8mm for the V2.
Two different fans vs. two identical fans.
1 x DVI & Larger exhaust vent vs. 2 x DVI and Smaller vent.
Heatsink + Radiator vs. Single giant radiator.

The Asus is probably the best clocking 7850/7870 you can buy, and ASIC seems to be the highest on them too, but at high clocks the Fans get get too noisy, only knock on it.

The Direct CU II on the 7970 (Triple slot) is so much quieter in comparison.

My HIS 7870 will go no higher than 1125 on stock voltage, Asic is 76.9%

 

[Rikard]

Thanks. Those are quite some changes to a cooler bearing the same name as its predecessor! I think that binning components will mainly hurt OC performance for the cheaper cards such as the 7850, while the reason for the higher price tag of the 7950 can be the improved cooler, so the prices might not be so random after all. However, that tiny exhaust of the 7870 v2 looks like I would need better airflow in my case to get the hot air out...