NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 Ti: specifications, reviews, comparison and comparison

Annually, NVIDIA releases new video cards on the market, which differ from their predecessors with improved performance and the availability of modern technologies. Thanks to this many expensive video adapters, both from the High-End segment and the middle class, are transferred to one class below. Naturally, their cost also decreases. The product GeForce GTX 560 and its overclocked modification suffered the same fate. Now buyers looking for a video game card in the budget segment have a chance to buy one of the most interesting devices of the market at a very attractive price (the 560th modification costs about 6000 rubles, and its overclocked version of 560 Ti does not exceed 10 thousand rubles).

Mind games within the walls of NVIDIA

It's no secret that the manufacturer first releases the reference chip, and only then, dispersing it in frequencies, offers an improved modification to the market marked "Ti". However, the video card NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 was built somewhat differently. Taking the graphic core of GF104 (GTX 460 video adapter) on the base, the manufacturer slightly improved it and got a very productive chip, which in the overclock could claim the High-End niche. Naturally, such a decision clearly did not suit the company's management, because the price policy is violated.

NVIDIA's technologies for the production chip were awarded the GeForce GTX 560 Ti, and its weak modification (560-th) came to market with one blocked multiprocessor. So do not be surprised to see on the shelves of the two modifications of graphics cards on the same graphics core with the same core frequencies and memory bus. The manufacturer was concerned that the Ti model would outperform its counterpart.

Specifications

To better understand all the manufacturer's actions, it is better to get acquainted with the technical characteristics of the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 chip in comparison with the modification of "Ti" and the representative of the graphic core GF104, video adapter based on the GTX 460.

1. One multiprocessor contains 48 stream cores, respectively, the improved version of the "Ti" has 384 cores, and the GTX 560 has 336 cores (exactly the same number in the GTX 460).
2. The clock speed of the graphics processor in the modification of the 560Ti is 822 MHz, at 560 - 810 MHz (GTX460 - 675 MHz).
3. The memory of GDDR5 is identical for all representatives of the review: runs on a 256-bit bus and has 1 GB onboard. However, on the printed circuit board of the novelty there is a wiring for doubling the volume.
4. The memory frequency for the GF114 graphics core is 1002 MHz (the GF104 had 900 MHz).
5. Shaders from NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 Ti operate at 1644 MHz, GTX560 - 1620 MHz, GTX 460 - 1350 MHz.

The remaining parameters related to the form factor (two slots), interface connectors, power and heat dissipation are identical for all three video cards, which suggests the use of one PCB as a basis for different graphics chips.

Putting it all together

Quite strange, when compared with the previous generation of video cards, are obtained from the new GeForce GTX 560 Ti technical characteristics. They suggest that this is an ordinary chip based on the GTX 460, which, having received an improved graphics core, was simply overclocked. To remove all doubts, it is enough to test all three video cards.

The results of the comparison in synthetic tests will only heighten suspicion: the overclocked GTX 460 will have identical characteristics, like the novelty of the GeForce GTX 560. But the improved GTX 560 Ti still demonstrates slightly better performance at the nominal frequencies. The conclusion is one: the owners of the 4-series has no sense to update your video card the next generation of the graphics core.

Introduction to the base unit

Video adapter based on GeForce GTX 560 and its improved version in the performance of NVIDIA is not available in retail trade on the world market, however the manufacturer provides this product to known testing laboratories. Due to this, it is possible to see the printed circuit board with the elements placed on it with its own eyes.

The first thing that catches your eye is the manufacturer's standard defect in terms of placement of power elements - they are scattered around the perimeter of the entire board. Memory modules are placed more compactly around the GPU, which allows them to be better cooled to the cooling system. By the way, the installed fan hints to the owners that the device belongs to the middle class (in the budget segment there is no protective casing, and representatives of the High-End have a turbine).

As you might expect, for the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560, the technical specifications directly depend on decent cooling. The fan in the base device is clearly not designed for overclocking, so when choosing a video card in the market, the buyer should pay attention to the cooling system in the first place.

Leader of sales

The video card GeForce GTX 560 under the ASUS brand is the best purchase in the domestic market. In the price-quality ratio of this video adapter there are no competitors. The manufacturer has completely modified the printed circuit board:

• Grouped all the batteries in one sector (on the back of the board);
• Replaced PWM controllers and installed solid-state capacitors instead of conventional capacitors;
• Changed memory modules to Samsung controllers with a response time of 0.4 nanoseconds;
• The GPU was fed into a separate phase;
• Installed an additional radiator on the batteries.

Also, the manufacturer installed a proprietary cooling system (in fact, they were even two). The usual modification of the GTX 560 is equipped with one cooler, and the overclocked version received a branded casing with two DirectCUII fans, which is put on High-End devices. As a result of a decent cooling, the video adapter has an excellent overclocking potential (1000 MHz threshold for the core it overcomes very easily).

Decent approach to buyers

As you might expect, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 Ti graphics card under the ASUS logo can also surprise with its characteristics not only in the review, but also in the tests. All manipulations with the modifications of the printed circuit board also touched upon the improved representative of the graphic core GF114. In order to somehow differ from competitors, within the walls of the corporation took advantage of the presence of a wiring on the board to install additional memory modules. A representative of ASUS became a happy owner of 2 GB of memory.

The graphics core was not dispersed at the plant, giving such an opportunity to the future owner. What was the surprise of the owners, judging by their feedback, when they saw the full potential of the video card in the overclocking, - the gain on the core is on average 40%. However, to reach the High-End class in synthetic tests is still impossible, such is the manufacturer's policy.

The complex steps of the Taiwanese giant

Gigabyte Corporation also attracted the attention of the parameters of the GeForce GTX 560 chip. The technical characteristics of the device clearly contribute to the high potential in overclocking. The manufacturer has completely modified the video card of the video adapter:

• Installed eight Hynix memory chips with a total capacity of 1 GB;
• Solid-state capacitors and ferrite chokes are placed in one block on the back of the board;
• MOSFETs with low resistance are added;
• A proprietary cooling system is installed.

The cooler of Gigabyte company called WindForce 2X is legendary. This system has perfectly proved itself in devices of High-End-class, therefore its presence on the GeForce GTX 560 chip obviously hints to the owners for the huge potential in overclocking. The aluminum radiator with copper tubes, which come together at the base of the GPU contact pad, is cooled by two huge slow-moving fans.

The potential of the Taiwanese giant

To judge the performance of a representative of Gigabyte, built on a chip NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560, it is possible only through tests. However, as the owners say in their reviews, the expectations differ slightly from their desires. So, the graphics core shows stable operation at a frequency of 950 MHz, any increase leads to demonstration of artifacts on the monitor screen (color squares). Memory is also not very amenable to overclocking - 1040 MHz is the limit after which the NVIDIA driver stops responding, and the operating system throws out the blue screen of Windows.

The whole problem, according to experts in their reviews, in the cooling system, more precisely, in the airflow of fans, which have a limitation on the speed of rotation. The manufacturer in pursuit of noiselessness of work did not take care of decent cooling. Intentionally done or not, no one will know, since this video adapter is currently out of production.

Work on bugs

In the laboratories of the corporation Gigabyte, the chip based on NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 Ti was given special attention. And, as practice shows, the work was done magnificently. First, the technologists, along with the installation of all branded components on the printed circuit board of the product, added two additional memory modules (after all, there is a desoldering on the reference device). Accordingly, its volume increased to 1280 MB, and with it the memory bus became more - 320 bits. It is not difficult to guess that this step increased the capacity.

Installing the proprietary cooling system WindForce 3X, unlike the lightweight modification, no longer has a speed limiter. To achieve high performance in games with such a decision, many owners have become easier. In tests when the core is overclocked to 1 GHz, the video card is rapidly approaching the results of a representative of the High-End class GTX 570 - this is a serious indicator for many potential buyers. Confuses only the price, which, along with productivity, increased by 20% (12,000 rubles).

Favorite manufacturer of overlocks

The GeForce GTX 560 Ti also interested representatives of Zotac, as the market saw several solutions from the well-known manufacturer. With the modification of the printed circuit board, this brand has always had problems - the maximum technology of the company can transfer the heating elements to one unit. However, this representative of the market always paid special attention to the cooling system. As the owners of the board note in their reviews, even in the process of overclocking, the system's radiator has room temperature.

The main component in the decent cooling of the PCB and graphics core is a branded fan that has a specific structure of the blades and improved bearings that create a powerful airflow. In the tests of cooling systems, the Zotac brand always takes the leading position, and this makes it possible to freely overclock the graphics core and memory without leading the system to overheating.

A product for lovers of silence

The product of Gainward, built on the GeForce GTX 560 chip, was also not noticed on the computer market. The review of the novelty leads to the idea that the well-known manufacturer, having taken the NVIDIA reference card, simply installed its own proprietary cooling system on it. This is evidenced by the location of the batteries on the printed circuit board (scattered all over the surface). Unless the color of the textolite changed - it turned red. At external survey representative Gainward on the basis of GTX 560 very strongly looks like the previous modification GTX 460, than confuses many buyers.

Fans of the Phantom series also have claims to the manufacturer, because, in addition to quiet operation, the video adapter is not able to demonstrate high performance and overclocking potential. All this suggests that the corporation Gainward did not pay attention to an interesting product. This attitude to the buyer is difficult to call worthy.

Suitcases from company EVGA

Quite interestingly presented on the shelves of EVGA products, built on the basis of the GeForce GTX 560 Ti chip. Outwardly, they are very similar to the representatives of the High-End class (GTX 570 and GTX 580) of the same manufacturer. The huge cooling system with the inscription "Superclocked" completely closes the printed circuit board of even color. The difference between products - only in labeling and value, and so complete identity.

As you might expect, a serious representative of the computer market has contributed to the placement of batteries on the printed circuit board of the device. All of them not only lined up in a single row, but also underwent serious changes: ferrite chokes, solid state drives, PWM controllers - all completely replaced by the manufacturer.

The proprietary cooling system, according to EVGA representatives, provides a frosty freshness to all elements on the circuit board of the adapter, including the graphics core. The logic of the manufacturer is understandable, as tests and reviews show, the graphics card does not heat above 65 degrees Celsius even at maximum overclock (1004 MHz). But there are limitations, they are implemented at the BIOS level of the video adapter.

Kid with a character

MSI representative based on the GeForce GTX 560 chip, having the Twin Frozr II / OC marking, looks like a top device in its appearance. In the responses of owners, the analogy is conducted with the flagship NVIDIA Titan. However, when comparing these devices it turns out that the novelty GTX 560 has dimensions one and a half times smaller. The design of the video card, the rich configuration of the box and the high performance in the tests will clearly attract the attention of any buyer.

Unlike all competitors, the GeForce GTX 560 video adapter is equipped with an aluminum cooling system casing. Naturally, heat removal in this performance will be much more effective. A huge two-section radiator, pierced with copper pipes, perfectly copes with heating. Two powerful fans do not allow the entire system to overheat. The video card overcomes the psychological barrier at 1 GHz on the graphics core somehow imperceptibly, and, as shown by testing, the potential is fully revealed at around 1100 MHz. The future owners of this video card professionals recommend first to acquire a system block format ATX-Tower. The fact is that the device strongly heats the air inside the case, accordingly, a decent cooling already depends directly on the quality of the blowing of the components.

Representatives of the Diaspora

This category includes all other companies that introduced their products based on the GeForce GTX 560 chip. Professional reviews assure that many manufacturers have very hesitantly approached the middle class representative in the gaming device market. Attach a proprietary sticker or install your own cooling system of poor quality to any representative of the market, but the buyer, when choosing, is more focused on the performance of the video card and its overclocking potential than on the appearance and brand.

Well-known companies in the world market, such as Palit, Galaxy, PNY and many others, in comparative tests demonstrate low performance in overclocking, and therefore are ignored by many overclockers in the reviews. Nobody argues that in the regular performance these representatives are able to demonstrate good performance in synthetic tests and games, but in terms of overclocking (which, as is known, will be needed after the release of new games), these representatives have no future.

Finally

We can not say that the technical characteristics of the GeForce GTX 560 graphics chip are ideal for many modern games. The middle class only guarantees the launch of all existing resource-intensive applications in minimum and medium settings, so expecting something supernatural from this chip is not worth it. The video card will be more interesting for people who want to get a more or less productive device at low financial costs in order to immerse themselves in the dynamic scenes of their favorite toys. All the modern technologies, no hangups and good realism indicators in applications, the video adapter based on GeForce GTX 560 still provides.

There is no sense for users who own a GTX 460-based video adapter to upgrade to an upgraded chip. Yes, the novelty has the potential for overclocking, but the system is clearly not designed to work at elevated temperatures all the time. Price-quality is the main criterion for positioning this video card on the computer market. You need something more productive - welcome to the High-End class.