Asus Does Super ML Caps for Overclocking

From Tom's Hardware: On Friday morning, Asus said that two new graphics cards, the ENGTX285 (Nvidia GeForce GTZ285) and the EAH4890 (ATI Radeon HD 4890), will be equipped with Super ML Caps, making them the industry first to utilize these polymer-based capacitors. This means that users are able to crank up the ENGTX285 Series GPU 3.3 times the normal overclocking margins while remaining up to 15°C cooler than reference GTX285 GPU offerings. Additionally, the EAH4890--also featuring Asus' Voltage Tweak Technology and a special fansink--doesn't see the same performance boost as the Nvidia-based card, only offering 3 times the GPU overclocking margins and 10°C cooler GPU temperatures than other HD 4890 cards.

Super ML Caps, a shorter term for Multilayer Polymer Capacitors, offer many advantages over ceramic capacitors. Super ML Caps remain stable under regular and AC voltage, doesn't have an aging mechanism, and is resilient under thermal shock. Made up of plastic with a good thermal coefficient of expansion (meaning they won't expand like ceramic capacitors), these capacitors are not only low in cost, but offer an extremely low equivalent series resistance due to the source material. Ceramic capacitors, on the other hand, tend to crack easily, are sensitive to piezoelectric voltage, and uses precious metal electrodes that have a higher electrical resistance.

With the use of these Super ML Caps, consumers can actually push the card harder because they are more likely to overheat less than cards using standard ceramic capacitors, thus remaining extremely stable. The cards should last longer because the Super ML Caps expand and contract less; the ESR also enable higher ripple current with better power efficiency to help lower the temperature of the GPU and memory modules (up to 15°C and 8°C respectively on ENGTX285). The low height of the Super ML Caps enable them to be closer to the GPU without interfering with the heatsink, allowing faster responses with a reduced lower voltage noise. Additionally, with the inclusion of the EMI Shield, covered chokes, and low RDS(on) MOSFETs, users can achieve extreme performances while "enjoying total peace of mind."

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