Update: Seems retailers locally already have release dates and pricing up, with RebelTech listing the card for a whopping R14 499.00. It should be out on June 8th here.
Earlier today we reported on some leaked GTX 1080 variants which would supposedly be formally revealed at Computex next week. That might be the case for some, but ASUS isn’t resting on their hands any longer. They’ve officially announced the ASUS ROG Strix GTX 1080, which isn’t the most surprising news of the entire reveal. It’s the fact that the card is out right now that really turned my head.
It might not be available locally, but in major markets the Strix GTX 1080 is out on shelves the same day that Nvidia is launching the Founder’s Edition, which is deliciously exciting. Not only does it mean that the pricing wars start early, it means that many other cards might not be as far behind as initially expected. It would’ve been accurate to assume that these cards wouldn’t hit market until later in June, but that might not be the case at all.
As far as specifications go, the leaks were dead on as usual. The Strix branding is kept here to retain familiarity, with ASUS going with a new DirectCU III cooling solution. That includes fantastic heat routing piping, as well as a three fan design that retains the 0dB mode Strix made famous with Maxwell. It also includes ASUS’ Aura Lighting, which will let you change the two LED strips on the front of the card to the colour of your choosing.
The card will also come in two different variants – Stock and Overclocked. The latter comes with slight bumps on both the Core and Boost clocks, with an additional 289 MHz and 203MHz respectively. There’s no reason you can’t do that yourself on the stock card (and reach even higher with the additional cooling), but if you’re not one to dabble with sliders and voltages, it’s the better option.
There’s no pricing yet (or word on when we can expect them locally), but for now it’s an attractive offering from ASUS. And judging by their reliability in the past, it’s not a bad choice to be considering.
Last Updated: May 27, 2016
Pariah
May 27, 2016 at 15:03
Now if we could get some official local pricing on these and the 1070’s I’ll finally be able to tell whether or not I quit gaming as a hobby.
Mistake Not...
May 27, 2016 at 15:06
We need to create a new sub-genre of gamers. Those who buy 5 year old hardware and games only, because that’s the route my life is taking now.
Pariah
May 27, 2016 at 15:08
I approve of this.
Mossel
May 27, 2016 at 15:17
Sign me up, currently Im about 3 years behind, so I’m well on my way to the 5 year plan.
Pariah
May 27, 2016 at 15:17
I’m on 4 years. one to go.
Dark_Kitarist
May 27, 2016 at 15:33
I was on a 1 year plan up until last year… Then shit hit the fan and yeah… It’s gonna be years before I upgrade…
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
May 27, 2016 at 15:09
Sounds like someone needs some consoling….
*RUNS
Pariah
May 27, 2016 at 15:10
Hardly. When is your console due for its upgrade?
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
May 27, 2016 at 15:13
Only thing I can upgrade is the harddrive which I did but I plan on upgrading it even further to a 2TB
Pariah
May 27, 2016 at 15:13
So you’re in the same boat I’m in. Except games cost you more. So…
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
May 27, 2016 at 15:15
Yeah… Life’s not fair…
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
May 27, 2016 at 15:15
At least I’m getting better at Isaac. Finished the game twice in two days without getting overpowered
Pariah
May 27, 2016 at 15:16
hehehe. Finish it moar. 😀
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
May 27, 2016 at 15:18
I am addict! Up yours mom
Ken Kimmell
May 28, 2016 at 01:16
$620 for the regular Strix and $640 for the overclocked Strix.
Pariah
May 28, 2016 at 09:58
add 50% to that, and that’s what it costs us locally. officially.
Boomshakalaka
May 27, 2016 at 20:07
last upgrade was 4+ years ago when I dropped 6k.
Now I’m looking at 15k / 5years about 3k per year. It’s a lot of cash up front and I’m not even sure I can bear it but if I can make it stretch on maybe 5+ years this time… i dunno… the decision far worse this time…
ffs if only zuma fired nene after these cards were launched. they’d probably be closer to the 10k mark.
chimera_85
May 30, 2016 at 14:52
The price isnt that bad considering current 980 prices
Daniel Flores
June 1, 2016 at 11:33
I want this card! sadly here in moldova it will take at least a year before selling this in retail