http://www.nvnews.net/#1043741090
I think two other reason everyone expected the GFFX to be so much faster than the Radeon 9700 Pro is time and reputation.
Reputation: NVIDIA lose slightly to the G400 MAX in some benchmarks, NVIDIA release the TNT2 Ultra and new drivers to reaffirm their position as leaders (yes yes the TNT2 Ultra was not just a reaction to the G400 MAX)
Reputation: NVIDIA see one of its closest and largest partners in Europe, Hercules, defect slightly to Kyro, NVIDIA release a damning PR to retailers, resellers etc and sanction Hercules
Reputation: ATI release the Radeon 9700 Pro, at the same time NVIDIA release details of the NFORCE2 to divert attention and promise this is not a paper launch and will be available immediately. (It is not however and takes a couple of months to reach the retail channels)
Time: NVIDIA had 5 and bit months after the announcement of ATI Radeon 9700 Pro to release their killer product (remember the TNT2 Ultra)
Time: The general school of thought was a gfx card released later on - is faster than the previous gfx card (Parhelia dispelled this myth however)
Time: NVIDIA has had time to hone its drivers since the final specs of the GFFX have been fixed for a longer time than usual, I suspect
(OK I know we have been through it a million times but this is for any late comers - the rest may skip the next bit if you wish)
What stopped the GFFX coming out so soon? (OK I know we have been through it a million times but this is for any late comers) And being so greatly triumphant over the GFFX? Real life (TM). Delays and events out of their control. Arrogance at NVIDIA? Who knows... The assimilation of 100 3dfx engineers at once? Who knows... the fact that the moon was not properly aligned with Jupiter and there was a harsh solar wind blowing? Er, well Shakespeare did say, "There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy".
Edit: grammar
I think two other reason everyone expected the GFFX to be so much faster than the Radeon 9700 Pro is time and reputation.
Reputation: NVIDIA lose slightly to the G400 MAX in some benchmarks, NVIDIA release the TNT2 Ultra and new drivers to reaffirm their position as leaders (yes yes the TNT2 Ultra was not just a reaction to the G400 MAX)
Reputation: NVIDIA see one of its closest and largest partners in Europe, Hercules, defect slightly to Kyro, NVIDIA release a damning PR to retailers, resellers etc and sanction Hercules
Reputation: ATI release the Radeon 9700 Pro, at the same time NVIDIA release details of the NFORCE2 to divert attention and promise this is not a paper launch and will be available immediately. (It is not however and takes a couple of months to reach the retail channels)
Time: NVIDIA had 5 and bit months after the announcement of ATI Radeon 9700 Pro to release their killer product (remember the TNT2 Ultra)
Time: The general school of thought was a gfx card released later on - is faster than the previous gfx card (Parhelia dispelled this myth however)
Time: NVIDIA has had time to hone its drivers since the final specs of the GFFX have been fixed for a longer time than usual, I suspect
(OK I know we have been through it a million times but this is for any late comers - the rest may skip the next bit if you wish)
What stopped the GFFX coming out so soon? (OK I know we have been through it a million times but this is for any late comers) And being so greatly triumphant over the GFFX? Real life (TM). Delays and events out of their control. Arrogance at NVIDIA? Who knows... The assimilation of 100 3dfx engineers at once? Who knows... the fact that the moon was not properly aligned with Jupiter and there was a harsh solar wind blowing? Er, well Shakespeare did say, "There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy".
Edit: grammar
