MSI GTX 580 Lightning or Asus GTX 580 DirectCU II

[asarvo09]

Just wanting some input on which GTX 580 to buy for my next gaming rig, because I can't make up my mind.

- MSI GTX 580 Lightning

- Asus GTX 580 DirectCU II

I realise that the MSI is more aim at extreme overclocking rather than a card thats gonna be put into a case, but there's no reason why it can't be used for everyday use. I will be overclocking the card a little, but purely on air (none of that liquid nitrogen or phase chance extreme stuff). The MSI seems to have better overclocking room than the Asus, but thats really not a limiting factor for me.

The coolers on both cards are exceptional. From what i've read, the Asus is an extremely quite card, and while the MSI isn't a loud card be any standards, it is a little louder than the Asus. Tom said in his video review that the cooler is extremely quite but it can get a little loud, but thats probs coz he had a massive overclock on it.

The price on both cards are pretty much the same, with the MSI about $20-$30 more expensive than the Asus. I also realise that the Asus is a 3 slot card, as compared to the MSI which remains a 2 slot card. But I'm not really stressed out by that coz I'm only gonna be running one card in my system (not gonna be running SLI) since I'm only using one monitor (1920x1200 resolution).

If anyone could provide me with some help as to which card to choose, that would be great. Also if anyone knows of a website that has stats/graphs for these cards relating to their performance/temps/overclocking/noise level, feel free to leave a link in your response.

Thanks

 

[Madbaron]

The only real major difference is that the Asus 580 takes up 3 Expansions slots where at the MSI 580 takes up only 2. When it comes to performance i would think they are relatively the same however i would prefer the MSI over the Asus one as i've seen in many tests that the Twinfrozer design with the new Rotory fan designs keeps them much cooler and there is a little more headroom of overclocking.

My $0.02

 

[Grizzly]

The Lightning is a brill card, it is one of the quietest things in my system.

I haven't used any of the overvolting switches on the card but I still managed to get a fairly big overclock on it.

But as Tom said it will get loud at that overclock under load.

Meanwhile the noise produced was worth it, a full day under load in a hot(between 25 and 30 celcius) room and it didn't go much over 70 with the overclock.

I can't give any comparison on that to the Asus unfortunately, just to say you will not be disappointed with it.