With the Gigabyte Aorus Engine, graphics cards of this brand can be monitored, overclocked and adjusted. In addition to interventions in the clock rates, voltages and power or temperature targets, predefined OC profiles can also be loaded and the LED lighting and fan control can be configured.
Gigabyte Aorus Engine download for Windows and Mac
The program is available for download for Windows 7, 8 (.1) and 10 in 32 and 64 bit and, in addition to graphics cards, can also handle the RGB lighting of Aorus mainboards. Which product the user wants to configure is selected in the application itself.
The user is greeted on the start screen of the applications with the selection of the OC profile, but users can also make the settings themselves via the “User Mode” profile. Further setting options concern the RGB-LED lighting, the fan curve for cooling and whether the fans should be idle or should continue to run.
| Gigabyte Aorus Engine B20.1210.1(Zip) | Windows 10, 8, 7 | Download(81MB) |
| Gigabyte Aorus Engine 1.95 | Windows 10, 8, 7 | Download(117MB) |
| Gigabyte Aorus Engine 1.0.0 | Mac | Download(52MB) |
Alternative programs from Asus, MSI and Zotac
There are alternative programs for graphics cards from other manufacturers: Asus offers GPU Tweak II , Zotac FireStorm and MSI the Afterburner, which also works with models from other brands.
License: Freeware
More information: product website
Aorus GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
With the Gigabyte Aorus GeForce GTX 1080 Ti, ComputerBase is testing the second partner card with its own PCB and cooler. In comparison with the Asus GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Strix, there are parallels in performance and volume despite an even thicker 3-slot cooler with a solid copper base plate.
Aorus GeForce GTX 1080 Ti vs Asus 2.5-slot Strix Comparison
Like the Asus GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Strix, the Gigabyte Aorus GeForce GTX 1080 Ti is available in two versions: the standard version tested in this article and the Xtreme edition.
The normal version clocks with 1,569 MHz in the base and 1,683 MHz in the typical boost just as high as the Asus Strix in the OC Edition. The Xtreme Edition, on the other hand, clocks another 40 MHz higher in the typical Boost.
3-slot cooler with three 100 mm fans
For the first time, Asus relies on a cooling system with a width of 2.5 slots for the Strix, while Gigabyte relies on the 3-slot cooler with metal cover and characteristic fan arrangement already known from the Aorus GeForce GTX 1080 Xtreme Gaming .
Each of the three 100 mm fans is addressed via a separate 3-pin connection on the graphics card’s PCB, so the fan speeds can be read out separately. Gigabyte speaks of a 3D design because the blades of the central fan run under those of the outer one.
The cooler has a large copper base plate, which not only touches the GPU but also all memory modules via thermal pads. All elements of the power supply are connected to the cooler via such pads.
At 29 to 30 centimeters in length, the Gigabyte model with the thicker cooler is slightly shorter, but at 14 to 13 centimeters it is wider than the Asus Strix – this is due to the large LED display on the side. The weight of the graphics card from Gigabyte is 1.43 kilograms, Asus brings it to 1.27 kilograms.
PCB and clock speeds
The PCB is an in-house development by Gigabyte. Like Asus, Gigabyte uses a 12-phase design to supply the GPU and memory, with two 8-pin connectors supplying up to 300 watts of electrical power via the PCIe cable.
The clock rates of the normal Aorus GeForce GTX 1080 Ti are on par with the Strix OC Edition, while those of the Extreme Edition are a bit higher. As with Asus, Gigabyte can use software (Gigabyte Xtreme Engine) from the manufacturer to activate an OC mode that increases the clock rates to an identical 1,594 in the base or 1,708 MHz in the boost.
The clock rate of 25 MHz is again relatively small, because the power target remains untouched, the benefit of this setting can even be questioned completely.
Connections, RGB lighting, key data
Already known from Xtreme Gaming based on Nvidia GP104 is the unusual choice of connections on the slot bracket. Nvidia only specifies HDMI 2.0 and three DisplayPort 1.4 for the GeForce GTX 1080 Ti, but Gigabyte not only offers the DVI connection like most other manufacturers but also a second HDMI connection without having to forego one of the three display ports. Connection.
Internal HDMI 2.0 for VR on the front
The Aorus GeForce GTX 1080 Ti offers a third HDMI connection at the other end of the PCB. With it, the standard should be easier to relocate to the housing front, to which VR systems can ideally be connected. The trick: The 2nd HDMI connection on the front panel and the one on the PCB can only be used when DVI is not required.
The big X on the cooler has RGB-LED lighting, the Aorus logo lights up on the edge and the “Fan Stop” logo when the fan is idle. The lighting can be set in the RGB color spectrum and with the usual effects.
The following table shows the technical key data of the partner cards from Asus and Gigabyte in the tested variants in comparison.
GeForce GTX 1080 Ti in comparison
| feature | Gigabyte Aorus | Asus Strix OC | |
| map | PCB design | Gigabytes | Asus |
| Length Width | 29 cm, 14.0 cm | 30.0 cm, 13.0 cm | |
| Power supply | 2 × 8 pin | 2 × 8 pin | |
| cooler | design | WindForce Stack 3X, 3 slot | DirectCU III, 2.5 slot |
| Heat sink | 6 heat pipes, aluminum radiator | 6 heat pipes, aluminum radiator | |
| Fan | 3 × 100 mm (axial) | 3 × 90 mm (axial) | |
| Fan switched off (2D) | Yes | Yes | |
| Clock (power saving mode) | GPU base | 1,569 (240 MHz) | 1,569 (240 MHz) |
| Typical boost | 1,683 MHz | 1,683 MHz | |
| GPU maximum | 1,987 MHz | 1,924 MHz | |
| Storage | 5,500 MHz (405 MHz) | 5,500 MHz (405 MHz) | |
| Memory size | 11,264 MB GDDR5X, Micron | 11,264 MB GDDR5X, Micron | |
| connections | 1 x dual-link DVI 3 x HDMI 2.0b 3 x DisplayPort 1.4 | 1 x dual-link DVI 2 x HDMI 2.0b 2 x DisplayPort 1.4 |
Guarantee
Gigabyte gives a three-year guarantee on graphics cards from the date of purchase. The processing takes place via the dealer.
This is how long Asus offers the GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Strix guarantee
| Manufacturer | Period | Optionally extendable | completion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asus | 3 years | – | Dealers |
| Gigabytes | 3 years | – | Dealers |