NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 Debut: ZOTAC, EVGA

In addition to having different specifications, the 768MB and 1GB GeForce GTX 460 variants also have different cooler configurations. As you'll see below, the EVGA and ZOTAC cards featured here sport completely different cooling solutions, both of which conform to NVIDIA's reference designs. However, we should also note that a number of NVIDIA's board partners will also be introducing GeForce GTX 460 cards with custom coolers.

 

 
EVGA's GeForce GTX 460 768MB SuperClocked Edition

The EVGA card you see here is the GeForce GTX 460 768MB SuperClocked Edition. It has a single, large cooling fan right about in the center of the card, that rests above a large aluminum cooler that's affixed to the GPU. The PCB used for the GeForce GTX 460 is nice and small by today's standards, measuring in at about 8.25". And the cards are outfitted with a pair of dual-link DVI outputs, along with a mini-HDMI output.

This SuperClocked edition ships with a 763MHz Core GPU clock, with 1526MHz shaders, and 768MB of GDDR5 memory running at 950MHz (3800MHz effective) on a 192-bit interface. NVIDIA's reference specs call for a 675MHz core clock, with 1350MHz shaders, and 900MHz memory, so EVGA's SuperClocked edition will obviously offer significantly increased performance over stock models.

 

 
Zotac's GeForce GTX 460 1GB

ZOTAC's GeForce GTX 460 1GB card is a reference model through-and-through, save for the custom decal that adorns its fan shroud, that is. This 1GB card sports a different cooler than the 768MB variant, which is more reminiscent of GeForce GTX 200 series cooler--only smaller. The PCB is the same length as the 768MB model, but the ZOTAC 1GB card's output configuration is different. The Zotac GeForce GTX 460 1GB has a pair of dual-link DVI outputs, a full sized HDMI output, and a DisplayPort output. Only two of these outputs can be used at any given time, however. ZOTAC's card also conforms to NVIDIA's reference specs with its 675MHz core clock, 1350MHz shaders, and 900MHz memory.

Both of the GeForce GTX 460's being introduced today have dual-slot coolers, and both require dual 6-pin PCI Express power connectors. The 1GB card's TDP, however, is slightly higher--160W (1GB) versus 150W (768MB).

The accessories included with the EVGA and ZOTAC GeForce GTX 460 cards are similar. Both cards include case badges, driver discs, users manuals, a pair of dual-Moles to 6-pin PCI Express power connectors, and DVI-to-VGA adapters. EVGA goes a step further and also throws in a GeForce GTX 400 series bumper sticker and mini-HDMI to full-sized HDMI adapter, while ZOTAC tosses in a copy of the latest Prince of Persia game. Normally we'd be excited by the prospect of a full gaming being included with a graphics card, but the obtrusive, and frankly bothersome DRM, that's incorporated into this title ruins its appeal in our opinion.