Single Slot Dual GPU G80 - revealed!!

[maverik-sg1]

I love it when the hawk eyes of certain reporters leave you hoping its so very true - The inquirer report shows to me that this is the best indication yet that a GX2 variant of G80 (or G81) is iminent!!!

Most of you already know I am a huge fan of this product as it allows you to enjoy SLI performance on any motherboard - the possibility to crack off some decent scores too.

Thank you inquirer for this report:

WE HAD AN interesting revelation while wondering the halls of Planet Reseller, here in Hanover.

Sadly, the booth we stumbled across was un-manned but on it a company named AlphaCooling was showing a water-cooler for an upcoming dual-PCB GeForce 8950 GX2.

This just must be the thinnest water-block we have seen in ages

As you can see, the cooler has all the right ingredients to cool down the dual-PCB G80 - the block encompasses the NVIO1 chip, GPU, memory chips and ends up at power regulator.

We estimate that the block is some four to five millimetres thick, which is nothing compared to other water-cooling blocks we have seen before. Makes you wonder what's flowing inside the block...

Back of the product needs some lapping, but other AlphaCool blocks are lapped to high shine. Obviously a prototype, but take a look - everything is covered: GPU, RAM, NVIO1, PWM...

Charlie already wrote a piece about mobile 8800 being shown up at Clevo's booth, so it looks that we are set for a re-run of 7950GX2, which featured two mobile G71 chips (G71M). Now, it seems that the new revision of G80 is going out for a spin.

The 7950GX2 is by far the most comfortable multi-GPU arrangemnet on the market, with invisible SLI thanks to a certain bridge chip. Looks like the 8950GX2 follows a similar vein, just what owners of 24- or 30-inch monitors want. µ

 

[K404]

That waterblock looks pretty horrible....restrictive is an understatement.

Give me a decent spacer kit and a real block any day please

Good to know the GX2 is coming...I think

 

[maverik-sg1]

We do not know for sure if it (the arrival of the GX2) is or not... officially, the fact that some company has prototype coolers for it already is awesome - no doubt touting for OEM business from EVGA etc, should the rumourmill be correct in it's assumptions.

They said the previous blocks were restrictive, they were right - but my Alpha block will allow me to bench my volt modded 7950GX2 beyond 800mhz core clock, so I would say that it's well within it's capabilities, if you pipe it right (I drilled out the fittings on mine, block untouched).

That block will need some BGA coolers attached to the topside of the PWM area for it to effective when volt modded

You know what though - all this talk is the most exciting it's been for me since the R520/G70 wars of 2005.

 

[Master_G]

Interesting stuff, im not a full-card block man myself, but if the card to fit this block does come out then it should be seriously powerful and power hungry.

Talking of exciting things, have you guys seen the Ruby video from ATI:

http://www.hexus.tv/show.php?show=66

Looks pretty impressive to me, i always enjoy seeing something to remind me why we have these ridiculous systems, cards and hype - to make graphics that are seriously impressive

G

 

[K404]

http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=37655

The Geforce 8950 GX2 is a dual-chip card based on a new 80 nanometre G80 chip, probably codenamed something else. Both GX2 GPUs are clocked at 550MHz and the difference is GDDR4. The card comes with 2x512MB of 256-bit GDDR4 memory clocked at 2000MHz. The card has 96 Shaders, per chip. It will be priced at $600.

*basically SLI 8800GTS in 1 card, smaller RAM interface per card than a current GTS*

The second in Nvidia's spring line-up is the Geforce 8900 GTX clocked at 700MHz GPU and 2200MHz memory. The chip still has a 384-bit memory interface and comes with 768MB of memory. The card uses a new 80 nanometre chip and has 128 Shaders. Compared to the Radeon X2800XTX it will end up shorter on clock and memory interface. You can compare them here.

The Geforce 8900 GTX is priced at $550.

*8800GTX with a die shrink and GDDR4*

Meanwhile, the Geforce 8900 GTS is a new card clocked at 600MHz GPU with 2000MHz GDDR4 memory. It supports the 320-bit memory controller and comes with 640Mb of memory. This card should cost $500 and it is using the 80 nanometre chip. This card will still have 128 Shader units.

*8800GTX with a die-shrink and GDDR4. smaller RAM interface, less RAM than an 8800GTX though*

The current king of the crop, the 8800 GTX will drop in price to $450, while the Geforce 8800 GTS loaded with 640MB of memory stays up in the $400 price range.

Nvidia has two more 80 nanometre cards. The Geforce 8900GT with 600MHz core and with a 256-bit memory interface comes with 512MB of 1800MHz GDDR3 memory. It has 96 Shaders and is built on a 80 nanometre process and will cost $400.

*8800GTS with a die-shrink but smaller RAM interface*

The 8900 GS will be the cheapest G80-based card. The 80 nanometre based beast is clocked at 550MHz core and 1600MHZ memory. The card has the 256-bit memory controller and comes with 256 or 512MB of GDDR3 memory. It also has 96 Shaders. The 256MB version will cost $200 while 512MB incarnation will end up at around the $250 price mark

*looks like a crap binning of the 8900GT*

 

[maverik-sg1]

The GX2 - is disappointing in terms of specs compared to others, however I take on board K404's comments that anymore could provide issues with heat and/or bandwidth from an single PCI-E x16 slot. I am of the opinion that 512MB per card is plenty for most of todays gaming requirements.

Also a single 880GTS is more than enough for most things already so 2 of them on one card is not exactly a tragedy.

Clocks are impressive on the 8900GTX (leaps from 575mhz on 8800 to 700mhz on the 8900 GTX) but leaves me wandering how much is left in them, although 800mhs watercooled would be great at 80nm.

No mention of being DX10.1 compatable?

Are we saying the the AMD/ATI offering will be clocked higher, but has less shaders?

On reflection of those prices expect UK prices to work out at dollar price divided by 3 then times by 2 and that will be your starter price (read as best buying price).

It's soooooo exciting!!

 

[Blindfitter]

Still dear, look at todays dollar rate, now if could get them cards at half the dollar price, your talking sales

TODAYS CASH & TRAVEL RATES

available from Marble Arch.

USDollar​

We Buy 2.0400​

We Sell 1.9200​

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