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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Verdict: The ASUS GeForce GTX 670 DirectCU II is a discontinued 2012 Kepler card worth considering only as a cheap, tested upgrade for older DirectX 9/10/11 games or a legacy PC. Its DirectCU II cooler remains appealing, but 2 GB of VRAM, limited legacy-driver support, missing modern features and age-related failure risk make it a poor modern-gaming purchase. Identify the exact suffix before comparing cards: the standard GTX670-DC2-2GD5 and factory-overclocked GTX670-DC2T-2GD5 TOP are not interchangeable specifications.
Which ASUS GTX 670 DirectCU II is it?
“ASUS GeForce GTX 670 DirectCU II” describes a product family, not one universal board. Check the model number on the PCB, label, box or a GPU-Z screenshot. ASUS support documentation distinguishes the following variants: GTX670-DC2-2GD5 (standard 2 GB model), GTX670-DC2T-2GD5 (factory-overclocked TOP), GTX670-DC2-4GD5 (4 GB) and GTX670-DC2OG-2GD5 (another overclocked 2 GB version). ASUS device reports also show that these identifiers matter when matching hardware and BIOS: ASUS X79-Deluxe device report.
| Model | Position | What changes |
|---|---|---|
| GTX670-DC2-2GD5 | Standard DirectCU II | Standard ASUS clock profile; commonly 2 GB |
| GTX670-DC2T-2GD5 | DirectCU II TOP | Higher factory clocks; commonly still 2 GB |
| GTX670-DC2-4GD5 | 4 GB variant | Different memory capacity and board configuration |
| GTX670-DC2OG-2GD5 | OC variant | Different factory clocking from the standard model |
Do not apply TOP or 4 GB specifications to a card merely described in a listing as “DirectCU II.” Stock photographs and marketplace titles frequently mix these variants.
Specifications of the common 2 GB standard card
The following describes the commonly identified GTX670-DC2-2GD5. ASUS published specifications and dimensions for a referenced configuration in its product guide: ASUS product guide. Exact clocks, outputs, connector layout and dimensions can vary by suffix and revision.
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- 2nd Generation RT Cores: Experience 2X the throughput of 1st gen RT Cores, plus concurrent RT and shading for a whole new level of ray-tracing performance.
- 3rd Generation Tensor Cores: Get up to 2X the throughput with structural sparsity and advanced AI algorithms such as DLSS. These cores deliver a massive boost in game performance and all-new AI capabilities.
- Axial-tech fan design features a smaller fan hub that facilitates longer blades and a barrier ring that increases downward air pressure.
- OC Mode : 1500 MHz (Boost Clock)/Default Mode : 1470 MHz (Boost Clock)
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670, 28 nm Kepler architecture.
- Memory: 2 GB GDDR5 on a 256-bit interface; the separate DC2-4GD5 is a 4 GB model.
- Memory speed: ASUS lists 6008 MHz effective memory speed for the referenced product.
- Bus: PCI Express 3.0 x16.
- Core clocks: The standard card is commonly identified around 915 MHz base, while ASUS lists a 1006 MHz GPU Boost figure for the referenced configuration. Boost is dynamic and changes with temperature, power, BIOS and workload.
- Published size: approximately 6.7 × 4.8 × 1.6 inches for one configuration; measure the actual card because shrouds and revisions differ.
- Outputs: Verify the physical connectors on the actual board rather than relying on a generic listing.
The GTX670-DC2T-2GD5 TOP uses the same GTX 670 generation with a higher factory profile, not a different GPU. ASUS announced it as a factory-overclocked DirectCU II card in May 2012: ASUS ROG announcement.
What the DirectCU II cooler means today
ASUS’s DirectCU II design places heat pipes in direct contact with the GPU and uses a custom dual-fan heatsink. The intent was lower noise and temperature than the reference GTX 670 cooler. Contemporary testing compared the ASUS GTX 670 DirectCU II TOP with other GTX 670 boards: Tom’s Hardware testing.
In 2026, condition matters more than the original marketing. Dried thermal compound, clogged fins, worn fan bearings and degraded thermal pads can erase the cooler’s advantage. ASUS marketing claims such as “20% cooler” or “6× greater airflow” should be treated as claims for the specified test or design, not universal results.
Rank #2
- 1809 MHz boost Clock (OC mode) with 6GB GDDR5;NVIDIA ANSEL for a revolutionary new way to capture in-game screenshots
- Dual-fan cooling provides double airflow for 3x quieter gameplay
- Vr ready with dual HDMI 2.0 ports to simultaneously connect headset & monitor
- GPU TWEAK II makes monitoring performance and streaming easier than ever, featuring game booster and XSplit Gamecaster, all via an intuitive interface.Auto-extreme technology delivers premium quality and reliability with aerospace-grade super alloy power II components to run 15% faster and last 2.5 longer than reference
Standard versus TOP: is the faster card worth it?
The TOP has higher factory clocks and therefore usually delivers a modest uplift, not a generational performance change. The common TOP 2 GB card still faces the same framebuffer limit. A standard card may approach TOP clocks through manual overclocking, but a decade-old fan assembly, silicon quality, voltage behavior and previous use make that outcome unpredictable.
Choose the TOP only when its price premium is small, the exact model is confirmed and the card passes testing. A healthy standard card is preferable to a faster but overheated or untested TOP.
Gaming performance in 2026
The GTX 670 was a strong upper-midrange card at launch. Historical benchmark results are useful for comparing cards of that era, but they do not predict performance in current games. The most sensible uses now are:
Rank #3
- Axial-tech fans now feature a smaller fan hub that facilitates longer blades and a barrier ring that increases downward air pressure
- 2.5-slot design allows for greater build compatibility while maintaining cooling performance
- 0dB technology lets you enjoy light gaming in relative silence
- Dual BIOS switch lets you toggle between Quiet and Performance BIOS profiles
- Dual ball fan bearings last up to twice as long as sleeve bearing designs
- older esports and pre-2018 PC games;
- DirectX 9, DirectX 10 and DirectX 11 libraries;
- retro-gaming builds and secondary PCs;
- low resolutions or low settings where the game’s VRAM demand is modest.
Do not promise universal 1080p performance. Modern texture packs, large open worlds, high resolutions and newer shader workloads can exhaust 2 GB and cause texture-streaming stutter or make acceptable settings impossible even when average frame rate looks reasonable. Results depend on the game, CPU, API, operating system and driver.
Power, case and motherboard compatibility
Check the complete system before buying. Many ASUS DirectCU II listings show two 6-pin PCIe connectors, but confirm the exact board from photographs or its manual; one such listing is visible at this used-card listing.
- Confirm a full-length PCI Express x16 slot.
- Measure card length, cooler thickness and adjacent-slot clearance.
- Confirm the required native PCIe power connectors. Avoid questionable adapters.
- Use a quality PSU with adequate 12 V capacity and headroom; requirements depend on the exact board and the rest of the PC, not one universal wattage.
- Check case airflow, especially in an old or dusty system.
- On unusually old motherboards or prebuilts, test firmware and PCIe compatibility.
- Match the actual display outputs to the monitor and adapters you plan to use.
ASUS manuals and downloads remain the best reference for the identified board: standard model support and standard model downloads.
Rank #4
- 1809 MHz boost Clock (OC mode) with 3GB GDDR58
- VR ready with Dual HDMI 2. 0 Ports to simultaneously connect headset & monitors
- Dual-fan cooling provides doubled airflow for 3x quieter gameplay
- GPU Tweak II makes monitoring performance and streaming easier than ever, featuring game booster and xsplit Gamecaster, all via an intuitive interface
- Auto-extreme manufacturing technology delivers premium quality and reliability with aerospace-grade Super alloy power II components
Drivers and operating systems in 2026
GTX 670 is a Kepler product and is outside NVIDIA’s normal current-generation driver stream. NVIDIA’s legacy GPU documentation separates older families, while its 470-series documentation identifies that branch as the final Kepler-support branch in the relevant documented context.
That does not mean no driver can install. An older branch may work on a supported legacy operating system, but it lacks current fixes, optimizations and compatibility guarantees. Windows 11 success is not assured. Linux users must check their distribution’s package, kernel and X-server compatibility rather than assuming the old proprietary driver will install cleanly. If changing from a newer NVIDIA card, remove the newer package as appropriate before installing the supported legacy branch.
If Windows detects the card but games crash, isolate driver branch, power delivery, temperature and VRAM stability instead of assuming one cause.
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Best Value
- 2GB/GDDR5/64-bit: Expertly designed by ASUS, with more performance than built-in solutions
- One-slot design: Fits in a small case, leaving room for additional expansion cards
- Super quite: Silent passive cooling is perfect for quite home theater PCs and multimedia centers.
- HDMI x4: Supports up to four high-definition displays for enhanced multitasking and productivity
- Easy to install: Plug and play - no cables from the power supply are needed
How to inspect and test a used card
Before purchase
- Request photographs of the actual card and the model number, not a stock image.
- Ask whether both fans work and whether the card shows artifacts.
- Request a GPU-Z screenshot or short benchmark recording showing GPU, memory size, bus width and clocks.
- Ask whether the cooler was removed or repasted.
- Prefer a seller offering a return window; avoid “untested” cards without a meaningful price discount.
- Confirm power-connector photographs and the intended output ports.
On receipt
- Inspect the PCB, bracket and soldered components for corrosion, burns, missing parts or bends.
- Spin both fans by hand and listen for grinding after installation.
- Install the appropriate legacy driver for the operating system.
- Run a short benchmark or demanding known-good game while monitoring temperature and clocks.
- Test every display output you intend to use.
- Check GPU-Z for the expected GPU, memory amount, 256-bit bus, clocks and PCIe link behavior.
Red flags
- Colored blocks, flickering textures or black screens.
- Driver resets or crashes only under load.
- Sudden fan acceleration, temperature spikes or grinding bearings.
- Intermittent outputs or a BIOS mismatch after an attempted flash.
- Instability caused by an aged PSU.
- 2 GB VRAM exhaustion mistaken for a defective GPU.
What is a sensible used price?
A captured used listing showed US$49, but that is an asking price rather than verified completed-sale data: the observed listing. Treat roughly $49 as a high-side reference for a tested card, not an automatic bargain. Shipping cost, return protection, working fans, proof of testing and exact model should determine your ceiling. If the card approaches the price of a much newer used GPU, the newer card is normally the safer purchase.
Who should buy it—and who should not?
Buy only when most of these apply
- You mainly play older games.
- The card is inexpensive and tested, with returns or credible evidence.
- Your case, PSU and connectors already fit it.
- You accept legacy-driver limitations and may service an old cooler.
- It is materially cheaper than newer used hardware.
Avoid it when any of these apply
- You target modern AAA games, 1440p or high-refresh gaming.
- You need current driver support, ray tracing, DLSS, AV1 encoding or current upscaling features.
- Your system lacks suitable PCIe power connectors or airflow.
- The seller cannot identify or demonstrate the exact card.
- The card is mined, modified, “untested” or priced close to a newer GPU.
Alternatives by use case
| Need | More suitable direction | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Modern gaming and longer driver life | Newer used NVIDIA card | Exact model, PSU and local price must be checked |
| More VRAM or newer APIs at a similar used price | Later used AMD card | Game-specific performance, drivers and power differ |
| Office, video playback or very light gaming | Modern integrated graphics | Not intended for demanding 3D games |
| OEM or space-constrained system | Newer low-profile, low-power card | May offer similar raw performance with less power and clearance demand |
Do not choose an alternative by launch tier alone. Compare tested condition, VRAM, software support, power requirements and the actual local price.
The Bottom Line
The ASUS GeForce GTX 670 DirectCU II remains a credible low-cost legacy card, not a modern gaming recommendation. Buy a precisely identified, tested example only when its price is comfortably below newer used options and your games, case, PSU and operating system all fit its limitations.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
