2016 is a very interesting year in terms of VGA releases and Nvidia went first with the new Pascal architecture, which can be found with their GeForce GTX 1070 and GeForce GTX 1080 models. Initially, we could find only “Founders Edition” cards in shops but custom-cooled models shortly followed. Unlike the most expensive GTX 1080 which features 2560 enabled shaders, the GTX 1070 does come with just 1920 shaders enabled; this also means that the texture units have been cut down from 160 to 120. What remains the same between the GTX 1080 and GTX 170 is the number of ROPs (64), but also the memory quantity which is 8GB for both which functions on a 256-bit bus. While the GTX 1080 is operating with the new GDDR5X memory, GTX 1070 was left running with the older GDDR5.
While the last GPU generation was built on the 28nm process, Nvidia has opted to go now with the TSMC 16nm process for Pascal which means less voltage usage in the GPUs, a less transistor gate leakage and as we have seen before when jumping to a new technological process, the transistor density is higher.
The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 stock clocks are 1506MHz for the GPU and 2002MHz for the memory. Since we are dealing with a SuperClocked version from EVGA, the GPU frequency has been raised to 1595MHz, while the memory frequency has remained the same.
This is not the only model available from the manufacturer! Actually there are four different models, if we also count in the EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 Founders Ediiton. The GeForce GTX 1070 ACX 3.0 is featuring the new ACX 3.0 cooling system, 4+1 power phases, an 8-pin PCI-E power connector, but comes with the stock Nvidia clocks; the SuperClocked Edition is next, which we are reviewing in this article, and features the clock we have mentioned before (1595MHz core). Lastly, we do have the EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 FTW Gaming ACX 3.0 edition which goes over the top, meaning that the GPU clock has been increased to 1607MHz, it comes with two BIOS chips instead of one, has a power phase design of 10+2 which allows higher overclocking levels but also an 8+8 PCI-E connector setup in order to allow a higher power draw.
Next it is time to look a little bit at the packaging; the EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 SC card is shipped inside a compact cardboard enclosure, which features the model name on the top area, along with some additional logos:
The manufacturer reminds us that the card is ready for VR gaming and also features 8GB of GDDR5 RAM buffer:
A badge representing the fact EVGA is #1 seller in US of Nvidia-based products can be also found nearby:
On the box side, we will be able to spot the product requirements:
ACX features are also described on the packaging:
-400% longer fan lifespan
-quieter operation thanks to the optimally tuned heatsink and fin design
-cooler GPU because of the increased heatpipes and copper contact area
-increased airflow and cooler looks thanks to the brand new fan cover with white LEDs
Pascal cards from EVGA operate with a newer software which is baptized EVGA Precision X OC and for checking out artifacts during overclocking we have at our disposal the EVGA OC ScannerX software:
A more detailed product description can be found on the back, including the main product highlights:
A small transparent plastic window can be also spotted here, which allows us to see directly on the back area of the card:
After unsealing the box and opening it, we will be able to spot a notice from EVGA, telling us that if something is wrong with the product, we should not return the card to the store we bought it from since the manufacturer is offering direct customer service!
