14 DAY TRIAL // NVIDIA hasn't exactly detailed its plans to create a Fermi-based dual-GPU card, but it definitely intends to make one, based on the GF104 GPU that powers the recently launched GTX 460. Still, even though it has no plans for a dual-GF100 product, its partners aren't prohibited from making some of their own. Apparently, ASUS actually does plan on pulling off something like this, though the monster will be just as power-hungry and hot as one may expect, and priced accordingly.
ASUS is reportedly working on the so-called 'MARS II' graphics card. This board will, essentially, be the closest thing to a GeForce dual-GTX 480 on the market. The product will, obviously, feature two full-fledged GF100 graphics processing units (GPUs), linked together by means of an nForce 200 SLI PCI Express bridge chip. Also, the beast will feature 2 x 388-bit memory interface and no less than 960 CUDA cores. Additionally, the amount of GDDR5 VRAM available will be of 3,072 MB.
Basically, this monstrosity should wipe the floor with practically any other existing DirectX 11-capable adapter, single-GPU or multi-GPU alike. Also, to support this much power and, of course, the heat it will produce, ASUS went for a 3oz copper PCB (printed circuit board) and not one or two, but three full 8-pin PCI Express power connectors. The company even made sure to implement Quad-SLI compatibility. In fact, the only part of the board not pictured, so far, is the cooler, though it will surely be a fearsome creature even by itself.
The so-called ASUS 'MARS II' will have a DVI output, as well as HDMI and DisplayPort connectors. When and where it will start selling is still unclear, but interested enthusiasts will have to be ready for it in advance, considering its merciless price of $1,000 +/ 1000+ Euro.