Gigabyte creates first dual-GPU graphics card

In regular SLI the games only see one GPU also. Only the driver knows of the dual-GPU nature of the setup.

 

I just had a strange idea, is it possible this card actually does not really have a 16x PCI-E connector, but 2 8x PCI-E connectors? (i.e. there are two logical 8x PCI-E buses, each chip uses its own dedicated 8 PCI-E lanes). This probably would mean the card would only work in boards which have SLI-capable chipsets (and both 2x8 PCI-E lanes would have to be connected to the same slot, which is usually the case with the SLI boards if you operate them in single mode). That could explain at least why you'd bundle it with a SLI board (though non-sli boards would be sufficient too, as long as they use a SLI capable chipset).
This sounds a bit too strange though, it would reduce the practical value of the card to more or less zero.

mczak

 

Indeed...I hope that's not the case...

 

Will 3dfx never die?!

Is the supply problem for the NV40 that bad?

Without a price, I can't tell if this is better or worse than a 256MB mid-range card, from a smoke-and-mirrors POV (ie, 256MB 9600s and 5600s).

 

Could this be one of the reasons behind this move:

http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=20268

 

nm

 

Is it only cheaper because of the RAM?

 

Perhaps they're figuring that you would be close to insane if you bought a dual 6600 GT that's for the most parts slower then a 6800 Ultra (which i guess remains to be seen but it seems likely based on the 6600 GT SLI benchmarks) so why not include a SLI motherboard also ?

 

I'm not exactly sure why it's cheaper. Top bin NV40 ASICs must be more pricey than we thought if they can undercut a 6800U with a dual-socket PCB, two NV43s and 8, fast (must be ~<2ns) mem chips. Could just be an availability issue, of course - they figure that even if they have to sell it at the same price, at least they can sell it.

I don't think there's a market for this card at the moment - ditto to those who think it'll get pooed on by high end 256MB cards in many situations.

That said, 2xNV40 with a daughtercard for two extra outputs would be nice.

 

That makes absolutely no sense at all. If there is not enough chips then putting 2 on one board would exacerbate the problem not help.

 

The article says there aren't enough NV40 chips - nothing is said about NV41. Different chips, different processes and therefore, in theory at least, different supply constraints.

 

http://www.hardocp.com/images/news/11032954806cCJpsd7Vl_1_2_l.jpg

In the press release they say it has a 256 bit bus, is it a 256 bit bus or 2 X 128 bit?

Thanks

 

I think they're just adding 128Mbit+128Mbit for the two GPUs. Each 6600GT on that card has it's own 128Mbit memory interface and 128MB of video memory. But SLi doesn't mean a doubling of video memory because so much data is shared in the two sets of memory. Calling it a 256Mbit 256MB card is pretty crafty because I can't see it performing anything like a true 256+256 card at high-res+AA settings.

Let's see some 1600x1200 4xAA benchmarks and then we'll know how it really compares to high-end (6800, X800) cards.

 

Got Ya, I misunderstoof then. That being the case it is true, and btw somehting that I thought would be a good idea for a long time, especially given that the heat production is not linear with clock frequency, and making a few low power chips and then combining then would be a good idea.

 

personally, I think you guys are all nuts for not believing the press release word for word! Jeesh....

 

Since they are bundling the card with a PCIE board I'll assume its PCIE. Any word on an AGP version of this??? That would be far more interesting IMO.

 

No.

AGP has its limitations.

 

Anyone else doubting it being faster than an X850.. I'm calling bullshit.

 

Depends what circumstances you bench it at.

I could imagine a 500mhz 6800 ultra beating the X850 XT PE in 3dmark03

Main problem is its still only effectively a 128mb card... 3dmark03 doesnt penalise this.

 

Maybe the SLI boards can, themselves, be SLIed...