G92 is due 11/12 - but is it 256-bit mid-range/mainstream?

[zerazax]

Okay, 8/29, Vr-Zone posted this article http://www.vr-zone.com/?i=5207:

We first told you that G92 is 65nm based with 256-bit memory interface back in June and seems that HKEPC agrees with us now. Lots of confusion on the discussion forums that G92 has 512-bit memory interface and is the highest end GPU from NVIDIA which, in fact is not. HKEPC revealed that G92 will be launched on November 12th and will replace the current GeForce 8800 GTS series. It is meant to compete against the RV670 while the low end G98 will compete against the RV620. However, launch date for G98 has not firmed up yet. G92 supports PCI Express 2.0, 50GT/s texture fill rate, Pure Video Gen 3, HDMI and uses display port. G92 will still be named under GeForce 8 family.

Recently, I heard that the nov. release is more likely to be an 8700 series than an 9800/8900 series. But, confusion ruled and no one was sure what it would be, with most (including myself) hoping for a new high end.

However, the HKEPC article (http://www.hkepc.com/?id=45 - it is in Chinese), the same group that brought us concrete Intel price slashes for the last couple of times, translated says that the G92 is more likely to replace the 8800GTS as a mainstream card, while the G98 is slated to compete against the RV260/2600/2400 refresh. It *does* make sense, however, as the 2950Pro is slated to be released before the end of the year and im sure Nvidia will not pass up an opportunity to fight its archrival, AMD.

Also, this isn't the first time that the vaunted G92 was rumored to be more midranged than high-end. This does, however, lead to the question of whether a high end will even show up by the end of this year or if it will be held onto until ATI shows what it can do with R700 or the refresh of the R600. After all, Nvidia is the one waiting on what card ATI decides to show.

[zanzabar]

so it looks like the 7950gt as compared to the 7900gtx, its kinda sad that they arnt guna bring in a faster chip or one thats high end and full dx10 with 8/16x maa, and being upper-mid dosnt lend its self to speculation on new stuff added just a faster more officiant chip



will this mean no more strange memory sizes like 320/640/768 couse that would be awesome and is there any word on ddr4 since ati is migrating to full ddr4

ps ati is ther arch rival not amd without amd they would be dead since teh ati cards didnt sell well in teh x8x00 and x1k since the amd 939 chips were the top and if u had an nforce chipset (the only mass produced chipset) they wouldent always work and no sli so the geforce 6/7 sold just for that in most cases

[zerazax]

The HKEPC article *does* state that it will be DX10.1 supported as well as PCIE2.0 compliant.

However, given that Nvidia and ATI both like to do a die-shrink on the midranged/lower-ranged cards before they do their high-end (as in 2400/2600 going to 65-nm before the 2900 does), it isn't too surprising I suppose that a mid-ranged card might hit 55/65-nm before a high end hits it for Nvidia, since it is uncharted territory so far.

[hecktic]

WTF??? so there is no replacement for the 8800 ULTRA then???

[Hornet331]

WTF??? so there is no replacement for the 8800 ULTRA then???

yeah thought exactly the same thing. i dont want to by "old" tech.

[Frank M]

Recently, I heard that the nov. release is more likely to be an 8700 series than an 9800/8900 series.

8700 is unlikely, as this is supposed to be replacing the 8800GTS.
If I had to guess, I'd say it will be named 8900GS or 8800GT, depending on
whether they want to release the next hi-end card this year.

[Yakyb]

sorry just to avoid confusion on the date is that 12th of november not 11th december?

either way i hope its a high end card

and the ati refresh when is that due

[zerazax]

It is 12th november. Chinese letters specifically state 11th month, 12th day - no ambiguity there at all (i *do* understand very basic chinese writing, albeit not much more!).

It does say SM 4.1, which is part of DX10.1, as well as DisplayPort technology. This will be quite interesting, to say the least.

[jagt]

NVIDIA also kills the rumor saying that the 8800, 8600 and 8500 GPUs does not have DirectX 10.1 and Shader Model 4.1 support. After Microsoft officially releases these updates, NVIDIA will enable the features on the abovementioned graphics card families through Forceware.

If found this particularly interesting. Could it be true?

[zerazax]

Well, the Inq throws their hat into the rink:

http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=42015

That being said, i'm going to try and get a full translation of the HKEPC article, if only because the HKEPC were indeed the first to give us the Intel price cut slashes for both 4/22 as well as 7/22, which were quite true.

[CraptacularOne]

WTF??? so there is no replacement for the 8800 ULTRA then???

And we need a replacement for it to play what?

[w0mbat]

Well, the Inq throws their hat into the rink:

http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=42015
[...]

Yes, and 3GHz K10 scores 30k

[zerazax]

The Inq definitely ain't the most reliable source out there (understatement of the year nomination please!)

Anyways, here's some possible pro's as to the VR-Zone/HKEPC article:

-G92 and G98 were both named recently by Fud and Inq, which is corroborated by the HKEPC article
-RV670 as a 2900/2950PRo and RV620 as 2400/2600 Pro were both named before by both Fud/Inq as revisions to current ATI cards

-Traditionally, Nvidia has named Gx0 as the high end card, Gx1 as the revised high end, and the rest of the numbers progressively lower-end. As G70/G71 for the 7-series showed.
-I doubt Nvidia would let ATI take the mid-range/mainstream with a Pro-card unchallenged, its not just Nvidia's style to let ATI walk up and take a major segment of the market, esp. one as crucial as the mainstream, without a challenge.
-Insiders into the industry did name the 8700 or an equivalent-midranged card as a possible Nov. release, to compete with the aforementioned 2950Pro.
-Nvidia said the next-gen card would be 1-Teraflop *but* they never said the G92 would be the next-gen card. In fact, the only thing they *did* said the next-gen card would be 1TFp, but never gave any shred of timetable, code name, etc. So as far as G92 being the next high-end is completley based on journalist speculation, as no hard-evidence or official word has been given.

Anyways, I wish I knew how to read more than basic Chinese (and it *is* stated in the article that Nov 12, 2007 is slated release of G92, there is no ambiguity in Chinese letters on month and date as one would if one simply said 11/12 in western numeration). However, what I *can* read is that the G92 is to be equivalent to the 8800GTS.
-Both ATI and Nvidia have always traditionally put die-shrinks on lower-end/mid-ranged cards before their high-end. For instance, the 65nm process for the 2400/2600 series is supposedly the precursor to 65nm/55nm process for R600/2900XT. Same for Nvidia as they rarely have gone to a new process for the high-end card without a mid-ranged/low-end card having gone there first, to clear out kinks and bugs.

Of course, however, none of this says that the G90 doesn't exist or a high-end won't be around the corner. It does, however, suggest that the G92 will be released before any new high-end comes out.

[stevecs]

And we need a replacement for it to play what?

Pretty much anything if you have a 2560x1600 monitor. Having the 8800GTX already it's taxed at that res. (and in my case I'm really looking at going to higher res monitors as well). i would say that an update is too long in coming.

[hixie]

The article says, that the new chip will be 256-bit and targeted at the mid-end market.
The new chips will be 65nm and support PCIE 2.0, and Nvidia are waiting to see what ATI will do with their 55nm chips, before launching anything new (die shrink or new chip, doesn't say very clearly).
Lastly, Nvidia also say that all the old chips (G80, G84, G86) are DirectX 10.1 and Shader Model 4.1 compatible. Now that microsoft has released these 2 items they are working on enabling it (drivers i suppose).

[zerazax]

Did MS indeed say that DX10.1 can be compatible via some drivers? I mean, after all, Intel with drivers unleashed a bunch of shaders for the integrated GPU's. so I suppose MS can for DX10 API and what not.

[CraptacularOne]

Pretty much anything if you have a 2560x1600 monitor. Having the 8800GTX already it's taxed at that res. (and in my case I'm really looking at going to higher res monitors as well). i would say that an update is too long in coming.

Maybe, but until Nvidia receives a serious threat to their top tier cards I don't think they are going to be really pressed to release a new card. I don't have a monitor that goes that high (mine is a 1920x1200) and even at that res a single GTX is more than sufficient for just about any game to run maxed. Don't get me wrong, I would love to see a new high end card. But logically for Nvidia, it just doesn't make sense, because their card that they released about a year ago (8800GTX) is still faster than ATIs current offering.

[hecktic]

And we need a replacement for it to play what?

hahaha lol.. i dont know.

How about in the enthusiast sector as it was originally viewed as... well most of the hard core users I talked to wanted to see how well this card @ 512bit stacked up when benched and overclocked.... I guess thats why I wanted the "9800"

[EternityZX9]

Guys.

The G92/98 code name was created by FUD/INQ and/or other internet media websites. They don't know what they are talking about.

Fact: nVidia stated a new generation "high end" card will be out in Q4 OF THIS YEAR.

With a high probablity of it beingthe G90.

Now we've got 3 months until the time is likely that this card will come out. We didn't know any realistic information about the G80 until a month or few weeks until release so don't believe any of this crap either. This is just fluff to pass the time and to get internet traffic at their sites.

[EternityZX9]

The Inq definitely ain't the most reliable source out there (understatement of the year nomination please!)

Anyways, here's some possible pro's as to the VR-Zone/HKEPC article:

-G92 and G98 were both named recently by Fud and Inq, which is corroborated by the HKEPC article
-RV670 as a 2900/2950PRo and RV620 as 2400/2600 Pro were both named before by both Fud/Inq as revisions to current ATI cards

-Traditionally, Nvidia has named Gx0 as the high end card, Gx1 as the revised high end, and the rest of the numbers progressively lower-end. As G70/G71 for the 7-series showed.
-I doubt Nvidia would let ATI take the mid-range/mainstream with a Pro-card unchallenged, its not just Nvidia's style to let ATI walk up and take a major segment of the market, esp. one as crucial as the mainstream, without a challenge.
-Insiders into the industry did name the 8700 or an equivalent-midranged card as a possible Nov. release, to compete with the aforementioned 2950Pro.
-Nvidia said the next-gen card would be 1-Teraflop *but* they never said the G92 would be the next-gen card. In fact, the only thing they *did* said the next-gen card would be 1TFp, but never gave any shred of timetable, code name, etc. So as far as G92 being the next high-end is completley based on journalist speculation, as no hard-evidence or official word has been given.

Anyways, I wish I knew how to read more than basic Chinese (and it *is* stated in the article that Nov 12, 2007 is slated release of G92, there is no ambiguity in Chinese letters on month and date as one would if one simply said 11/12 in western numeration). However, what I *can* read is that the G92 is to be equivalent to the 8800GTS.
-Both ATI and Nvidia have always traditionally put die-shrinks on lower-end/mid-ranged cards before their high-end. For instance, the 65nm process for the 2400/2600 series is supposedly the precursor to 65nm/55nm process for R600/2900XT. Same for Nvidia as they rarely have gone to a new process for the high-end card without a mid-ranged/low-end card having gone there first, to clear out kinks and bugs.

Of course, however, none of this says that the G90 doesn't exist or a high-end won't be around the corner. It does, however, suggest that the G92 will be released before any new high-end comes out.

At least someone has a clue on this website.

[hecktic]

EternityZX9,

Your right!... why couldnt I see that.... dam FUD/INQ

[Jass]

Guys.

The G92/98 code name was created by FUD/INQ and/or other internet media websites. They don't know what they are talking about.

Fact: nVidia stated a new generation "high end" card will be out in Q4 OF THIS YEAR.

With a high probablity of it beingthe G90.

Now we've got 3 months until the time is likely that this card will come out. We didn't know any realistic information about the G80 until a month or few weeks until release so don't believe any of this crap either. This is just fluff to pass the time and to get internet traffic at their sites.

Exactly what I would say. I was about to buy an 8800UT from reading that, I thought there will be no high end card this november, but I don't believe that they would make such a big rumor to announce a lower end card. I am waiting for a pretty long time for that card to come out. Made myself not buy an 8800UT and wait a couple of months for this

[BenchZowner]

Numbering themes on 'core codes' can change ya know

G90 or G92 will be the high end part ? Well, can't tell, and nobody should care about that 'stupid' number

What I know is that their next "high end" card is supposed to be launched in November '07, with it's specs being... ha ha! No, no!

Just one more thing...some manufacturer ordered lots of GDDR4-3200 chips from Samsung...anyone have a clue who's that manufacturer that I'm speaking of ? [ it's not ATi ]

[Hornet331]

3200... Nice!!

maybe we see ram clocks at 2ghz ?

[StealthyFish]

Hmm... I haven't seen anyone mention it... but what might happen to prices? Maybe a 250 dollar 8800GTS?..... 150.... *hopes hard*