NV40 Test samples, pics inside

[Mark]

Depends on what you are doing with the memory.

Well, if rumors are to be believed the 16 pipe R420 may also feature 800mhz memory. nVidia is only running theirs around 550 - 600 mhz, so one can only assume nVidia's cooling is more modest than ATi's will need to be, unless ATi is goind to run the ram in DDR-1 compatability mode or something (what you are doing with the memory.

I have a hard time believing that the R420 will run 800MHz mem... 700MHz is a stetch imo. I'd be surprised with 650MHz even.

 

[stevem]

This is still a USA made sample. I dunno how much the topology will change for final production cards. The smaller black heatsink covering what appears is a bank of VREGs is interesting. Does it cover SMT MOSFETs or only the HS tab of the visible row? It appears 3-phase, non-switching. Another clue that more reliance is placed on the system PS?

Of some interest is the following link.
3DMark03 12510
GT1 453.5
GT2 83.4
GT3 71.8
GT4 70.7

 

[radar1200gs]

I did say if you believe the rumors... Dave's comments on how you use the memory strike me as curious - you don't purchase a slab of expensive, fast memory and then not use it to its fullest potential. I'll be interested to see how ATi uses their GDDR-3 differently and what cooling they will require for it.

 

[PaulS]

Dave is refering to the memory being overclocked, hence the cooling. Nothing to do with ATi.

No vent to the outside?

I was thinking the same, since I always thought that was a good idea. Is there a reason they're not doing that this time?

 

[radar1200gs]

if nVidia puts (for example) 600mhz memory on the card, runs it a 600mhz with the manufacturer specified voltage, how have they overclocked it in any way shape or form?

 

[PaulS]

if nVidia puts (for example) 600mhz memory on the card, runs it a 600mhz with the manufacturer specified voltage, how have they overclocked it in any way shape or form?

...it's not running 600mhz modules, and it's not running in spec either - hence the term "overclocking" and hence the cooling.

 

[stevem]

PCI add in boards face up. AGP boards face down.

They both face the same way. ISA faces up in ATX form factor.

pci express graphics boards will face the same way as agp.

Yes, and in BTX form factor both would face up.

 

[radar1200gs]

That may be the case for a pre release card, but I don't think we will see out of spec memory onactual consumer cards (where additional cooling capacity would be seen as a plus point for those who do overclock).

The 600 number was arbitary pick 550 or any other number that pleases you.

 

[Joe DeFuria]

if nVidia puts (for example) 600mhz memory on the card, runs it a 600mhz with the manufacturer specified voltage, how have they overclocked it in any way shape or form?

And if nVidia puts (for example) 500 Mhz memory on the card, and runs it at 550 Mhz....

 

[PaulS]

That may be the case for a pre release card, but I don't think we will see out of spec memory onactual consumer cards.

Quite possibly, but it would be irrelevant - reviews (which consumers would base their purchases on) would be done with overclocked samples, and retail cards would run in spec. Or, NV hope to get some slightly faster memory reasonably soon, but not in time for launch. Or maybe both.

The 600 number was arbitary pick 550 or any other number that pleases you.

It doesn't matter what the base number is - you're still running it out of spec.

 

[zsouthboy]

I have a question.

PCI add in boards face up. AGP boards face down.
Now, which way will PCI Express boards face?

Surley if graphics cards face up we wouldn't have this problem.

This will be solved when BTX gets here.

 

[Joe DeFuria]

That may be the case for a pre release card, but I don't think we will see out of spec memory onactual consumer cards...

I hope not...

But if there is not enough quantity of "in spec" memory to put on a few review boards, exactly when do you think the cards will actually be available in retail?

 

[radar1200gs]

see post above yours joe.

 

[radar1200gs]

That may be the case for a pre release card, but I don't think we will see out of spec memory onactual consumer cards...

I hope not...

But if there is not enough quantity of "in spec" memory to put on a few review boards, exactly when do you think the cards will actually be available in retail?

Obviously that would cause a delay.

Edit: depends on when those review boards were actually assembled too.

 

[tazdevl]

Too bad they aren't porting the exhaust outside the case. That thing is going to dump a ton of heat into the case.

 

[101]

they've gone and covered up the microphone with yellow tape

The sticker is there to keep impurities out of the speaker during manufacturing, and should be removed before the cards go out. Those piezo's are really quiet if you cover the hole.

 

[Joe DeFuria]

Obviously that would cause a delay.

Edit: depends on when those review boards were actually assembled too.

Why would they be "assembled" any earlier or later than any other review boards sent out for launch?

In any case, if nvidia is relying on "memory not yet readily available" for the shipping product, a "delay" (longer than usual time between launch and availability) is a best case scenario.

Worse case scenarios would be

1) actually shipping a board with overclocked memory
2) shipping a board with reduced specs compared to the reviewed products.

 

[radar1200gs]

Given the flak nVidia has taken recently, I don't think they will be doing any of that. If anything they will reduce the spec of the final product (and one would assume, tell reviewers this is likely to be the case).

If this memory supply issue turns out to be true it will affect ATi every bit as much as it does nVidia, and I haven't read of any problems regarding DDr-3 production recently.

EDIT: p/review / evaluations boards are commonly a revision or two earlier than the final product, not just for gfx cards either.

 

[digitalwanderer]

If this memory supply issue turns out to be true it will affect ATi every bit as much as it does nVidia, and I haven't read of any problems regarding DDr-3 production recently.

Unless ATi has a better supply of 'em, then it might make a difference...eh?

 

[radar1200gs]

You are implying nVidia was/is stupid enough to not ensure an adequate supply of memory chips???