GTX 285, 295 announced + 3D glasses are back!
Just in time for just missing Christmas, nVidia announced their latest and greatest on the high-end video card scene. Here's the lowdown:
GTX 285: single-45nm GPU 1GB memory 648MHz 240 cores
GTX 295: dual-45nm GPU 896MB memory 576MHz 240 cores
Compare that to the current top-end cards:
GTX 260: single-65nm GPU 896MB memory 576MHz 192 cores
GTX 280: single-65nm GPU 1GB memory 602 MHz 240 cores
Much of the hype seems to be on the dual-GPU GTX 295, but don't be surprised if the real winner turns out to be the GTX 285. Here's a few things to remember:
1. DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE!
I can't believe the vendors are once again hawking the total amount of on-board video memory on a dual-GPU card as its "available memory" or just "memory". Shame on them! The GTX 295, like any current dual-GPU nVidia card, is essentially two video cards in SLI mode, just in one physical enclosure. In SLI mode, the total amount of effective memory is the same as the lowest amount of memory available to either GPU, NOT the combined total available to both. Think of this as an 896MB card, especially if you're thinking of gaming on a 24" monitor or larger. Time will tell if the GTX 285 or the 295 is a better choice for high-res gaming, and the fact that the GTX 285 has more available memory will play a big role in that. Stay tuned, and stay skeptical ;-)
2. Availability is totally up in the air. Nobody really knows whwn these cards will hit the retail & distribution channels, but it shouldn't be more than two weeks from now. (Unless it is.)
3. Early adopters: be prepared for driver weirdness for a month or two. These aren't just tweaked versions of the current GTX-200 series; they're completely new animals, and there will almost certainly be growing pains.
Also announced today: the return of 3D glasses! It's been done before with headache-inducing results, but nVidia thinks they can provide a solid experience with stereoscopic 3D hardware. Their new 3D glasses (which we'll be adding to our offerings shortly) supposedly work with any GeForce card newer than (and including) the 8600 GT (possibly requiring a video card BIOS update) as well as with hundreds of existing games - no patch needed. See the list here. The one caveat: you need a compatable monitor. We'll be offering the Samsung 22" SyncMaster 2233RZ as soon as it is available to us, and larger monitors will probably not appear unlett the technology proves itself first.
More to come...
GTX 285: single-45nm GPU 1GB memory 648MHz 240 cores
GTX 295: dual-45nm GPU 896MB memory 576MHz 240 cores
Compare that to the current top-end cards:
GTX 260: single-65nm GPU 896MB memory 576MHz 192 cores
GTX 280: single-65nm GPU 1GB memory 602 MHz 240 cores
Much of the hype seems to be on the dual-GPU GTX 295, but don't be surprised if the real winner turns out to be the GTX 285. Here's a few things to remember:
1. DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE!
I can't believe the vendors are once again hawking the total amount of on-board video memory on a dual-GPU card as its "available memory" or just "memory". Shame on them! The GTX 295, like any current dual-GPU nVidia card, is essentially two video cards in SLI mode, just in one physical enclosure. In SLI mode, the total amount of effective memory is the same as the lowest amount of memory available to either GPU, NOT the combined total available to both. Think of this as an 896MB card, especially if you're thinking of gaming on a 24" monitor or larger. Time will tell if the GTX 285 or the 295 is a better choice for high-res gaming, and the fact that the GTX 285 has more available memory will play a big role in that. Stay tuned, and stay skeptical ;-)
2. Availability is totally up in the air. Nobody really knows whwn these cards will hit the retail & distribution channels, but it shouldn't be more than two weeks from now. (Unless it is.)
3. Early adopters: be prepared for driver weirdness for a month or two. These aren't just tweaked versions of the current GTX-200 series; they're completely new animals, and there will almost certainly be growing pains.
Also announced today: the return of 3D glasses! It's been done before with headache-inducing results, but nVidia thinks they can provide a solid experience with stereoscopic 3D hardware. Their new 3D glasses (which we'll be adding to our offerings shortly) supposedly work with any GeForce card newer than (and including) the 8600 GT (possibly requiring a video card BIOS update) as well as with hundreds of existing games - no patch needed. See the list here. The one caveat: you need a compatable monitor. We'll be offering the Samsung 22" SyncMaster 2233RZ as soon as it is available to us, and larger monitors will probably not appear unlett the technology proves itself first.
More to come...
posted by Thomas Glen at
8:19 AM
2 Comments:
I used the glasses at NVISION in August, they definitely work well. Not sure I would use them on a regular basis, though. This technology is something I just am not that excited about for some reason.
We are somewhat skeptical as well, but I still like to see more innovation in PC gaming beyond faster, smaller, cooler, etc...
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