Everyone’s Into Duos…Right?
Now if the performance offered by a single GTX295 just isn’t enough for you, the card still supports SLI, though only with one addon card. There is a single SLI connector on the leading edge of the card. When combined with a second GTX 295 card, this should effectively make a quad SLI system.
When it comes to SLI support on the GTX 285, the standard SLI connector is present. This dual connector allows you to run this card with two others, for a total of three in a triple SLI setup.
Power requirements are also different for the two cards. I know, it’s shocking how that could happen when you add a second GPU and PCB to the same package. Anyhow, the GTX 285 uses the same two 6-pin PCIe power connectors seen on the GTX 280. The S/PDIF connector is situated right next to the power connectors, and is used to move audio from the sound card through to the digital outputs. As for the GTX 295 it’s uses a 6-pin and an 8-pin connector, each one attached to an opposite PCB. The S/PDIF connector position hasn’t changed though.
Included Accessories
The accessories included with the ZOTAC GeForce GTX 285 AMP! Edition and GeForce GTX 295 run the gamut from typical to thoughtful. The above picture is of the accessories included in the GTX 295 package, and feature two power adapters, and S/PDIF cable, DVI-to-VGA connector, and a surprise addition in the form of an HDMI cable. The package for the GeForce GTX 285 AMP! Edition includes essentially the same thing, only swapping out the HDMI cable for an DVI-to-HDMI adaptor.
One thing that is universal between the two cards is the software package and included paperwork. Both cards included a user manual outlying their respective installation steps, as well as full warranty info. As for software, ZOTAC includes the latest compatible drivers at time of release, as well as some minor utilities on the main CD. In addition to that, they have also included a full install of 3DMark Vantage and a copy of Race Driver: GRID. This package ensures that you can instantly find out if the large chunk of change you just spent on new video cards actually granted you some performance increase. I do like the fact that they included GRID as this is one of the best racing games in a while.