Friday, March 2nd 2012

GK104 PCB Pictured in Full

by
btarunr
 Discuss (95 Comments)
Here is the first true-color picture of the GeForce Kepler 104 (GK104) reference PCB shot in full (well, almost, excluding the uneventful PCIe bus connector). The picture provides a panoramic view of the card's VRM as shown in a drawing posted earlier this day, and reveals the strange double-decker power connector. The card is loaded with a 5-phase NVVDC configuration, as detailed in an older article. It also confirms that the GK104 has a 256-bit wide memory interface, with likely 2 GB standard memory amount. This is also the first picture of the GK104 ASIC, which has square package, and somewhat square die. While the PCB is green in color, it's most likely an engineering sample. The final product (branded GeForce GTX 680 / GTX 670 Ti), could have a black-colored one.
Sources: ChipHell, Expreview

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95 Comments on GK104 PCB Pictured in Full

#26
NorthEndJon
newtekie1Yeah, I just went and looked at the GTX480. It has the connector, but it is used to power LEDs as well, though the reference cooler didn't have LEDs AFAIK, but other manufacturers included them. I believe the GTX280 actually did use it as an audio passthrough, not for LEDs.



I don't have to look it up, I own 3 GTX470s and a GTX465(look at my specs and sig;)), as well as I've owned 2 GTX480s. I can tell you they do have HDMI audio processors built in.

If you want solid proof just read W1z's review of the GTX480:

www.techpowerup.com/reviews/NVIDIA/GeForce_GTX_480_Fermi/3.html
I'm talking about true bitstreaming audio here. DTS-HD and Dolby plus and such. The 480/470/465 can not do that without an audio pass through. Its not built into the GF100 die. Yes, it has an audio device, but to get full support, it needs to be hooked to an external sound card.

So essentially, we're both right.
Posted on Reply
#27
newtekie1
Semi-Retired Folder
Ferrum MasterNah... Audio connector was right beside PEG power connectors...

pcper.com/images/reviews/577/gtx280_audio.jpg?iact=hc&vpx=174&vpy=157&dur=1704&hovh=183&hovw=275&tx=150&ty=141&sig=108114350624657744172&ei=YfRQT6TDBsPe4QSm8JX1DQ&page=1&tbnh=142&tbnw=186&start=0&ndsp=27&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0
Nah? Shouldn't that be "yes"?;)
NorthEndJonI'm talking about true bitstreaming audio here. DTS-HD and Dolby plus and such. The 480/470/465 can not do that without an audio pass through. Its not built into the GF100 die. Yes, it has an audio device, but to get full support, it needs to be hooked to an external sound card.

So essentially, we're both right.
No, you are wrong. There is no way to passthrough audio on a GTX480/470/465. The GTX470 and GTX465 didn't even have the connector on the PCB, and the connector on the GTX480 was used for LEDs, and would likely fry your sound card if you tried connecting it to the SPDIF.

Oh, and my GTX470s handle DTS-HD just fine over HDMI without any passthrough.
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#28
Apocalypsee
nickbaldwin86Just me or does it looks like 3 pCI slots :twitch:
No its just two, look closely, the bottom slot also have vent
Posted on Reply
#29
NorthEndJon
newtekie1Nah? Shouldn't that be "yes"?;)



No, you are wrong. There is no way to passthrough audio on a GTX480/470/465. The GTX470 and GTX465 didn't even have the connector on the PCB, and the connector on the GTX480 was used for LEDs, and would likely fry your sound card if you tried connecting it to the SPDIF.

Oh, and my GTX470s handle DTS-HD just fine over HDMI without any passthrough.
Digital Audio
• Support for the following audio modes:
o Dolby Digital (AC3), DTS 5.1, Multi-channel (7.1) LPCM, Dolby Digital Plus (DD+), MPEG2/MPEG4 AAC
• Data rates of 44.1 KHz, 48 KHz, 88.2 KHz, 96 KHz, 176 KHz, and 192 KHz
• Word sizes of 16-bit, 20-bit, and 24-bit

Straight from the Spec sheet. I don't see bitstreaming or DTS-HD on there. Do you? I admit to being wrong about the Dolby Plus, but at this point we're both splitting hairs.

It's probably for the Lighting.
Posted on Reply
#30
newtekie1
Semi-Retired Folder
NorthEndJonDigital Audio
• Support for the following audio modes:
o Dolby Digital (AC3), DTS 5.1, Multi-channel (7.1) LPCM, Dolby Digital Plus (DD+), MPEG2/MPEG4 AAC
• Data rates of 44.1 KHz, 48 KHz, 88.2 KHz, 96 KHz, 176 KHz, and 192 KHz
• Word sizes of 16-bit, 20-bit, and 24-bit

Straight from the Spec sheet. I don't see bitstreaming or DTS-HD on there. Do you? I admit to being wrong about the Dolby Plus, but at this point we're both splitting hairs.

It's probably for the Lighting.
What can I say, it works. Though it very well could be software down sampling before sending it to the audio processor. But at this point you are just trying to make yourself look good, the main point is that the connector is not for audio passthrough.
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#31
robal
This chip doesn't have IHS.
It would be a good decision to get rid of the thing...
Posted on Reply
#32
cadaveca
My name is Dave
NorthEndJonMulti-channel (7.1) LPCM
Is usually used for HD Audio.;)
Posted on Reply
#33
nickbaldwin86
ApocalypseeNo its just two, look closely, the bottom slot also have vent
Ya I guess they are just DP ports. and it makes it look bigger then it really is. really bad picture :shadedshu
Posted on Reply
#34
NorthEndJon
newtekie1What can I say, it works. Though it very well could be software down sampling before sending it to the audio processor. But at this point you are just trying to make yourself look good, the main point is that the connector is not for audio passthrough.
Thats just cold blooded bro. None of us know what it is, we're all speculating. It could power an external popcorn popper for all we know.
cadavecaIs usually used for HD Audio.;)
But not for DTS-HD. It required bitstream, not PCM stream.
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#35
fullinfusion
Vanguard Beta Tester
Thats what I was wondering, looks like a three slot card.... are we there yet?
Posted on Reply
#36
NorthEndJon
No, its definately 2 slots. The ASUS version will likely be 3, but the ref will be 2.
Posted on Reply
#37
cadaveca
My name is Dave
NorthEndJonThats just cold blooded bro. None of us know what it is, we're all speculating. It could power an external popcorn popper for all we know.



But not for DTS-HD. It required bitstream, not PCM stream.
Tell tht to Sony. :laugh: PS3 outputs DTS-HD/Dolby-HD in LPCM. It's simply decoded the n sent in LPCM(yes, there can be artifacting). Only the SLIM PS3 does bitstream properly.

Alas, you are correct, it's not true DTS-HD, but it's what it does.
Posted on Reply
#38
NorthEndJon
Yeah, but thats forced through firmware, and Sony admits its not compliant. Eh, Sony lost me forever when they took my Linux away. Pawned that mofo the day it happened.

I'm changing my mind again. Its for the TEC cooler this thing is gonna need to keep cool.
Posted on Reply
#39
cadaveca
My name is Dave
TEC cooler. :laugh: +1. :laugh:

Crazy power plug scheme going on there, has me kinda weirded out. liek WTF is going on here...seems like GTX480 again, with later card giving ful functionality? I am so confused about these NV cards...and I want one! Kinda sick of AMd's driver problems.
Posted on Reply
#40
NorthEndJon
Thats exactly why I'm jumping ship. Had a 4850 for years now, and I'm just sick of every driver update either messing up my fan profiles or oc. I'm tired of it. I mean, its been 4 years and they STILL haven't fixed the corrupted mouse on dual monitors bug. Its friggan retarded. I just ordered one of the EVGA 480s on newegg for 200 bucks. Mighty good bang for your buck if you ask me.
Posted on Reply
#42
Ferrum Master
I thought we were talking about a connector like in the right bottom corner... that is truly a led connector for 280ties... :laugh:


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#43
Crap Daddy
2x6 pin one on top of the other? ES... think they might change it? The chip seems to be 340ish mm2 as some have pointed out.
Posted on Reply
#44
[H]@RD5TUFF
Looks yummy, and best of all it's drivers will not break with every update, or just flat not work to begin with.
Posted on Reply
#45
Munki
I am kinda excited. Regardless of weather that stupid connector is for sound or LEDs, I don't know about you all, but I use my GPUs for graphics, not for an overpriced LEDs or a noise maker. lol
Posted on Reply
#46
m1dg3t
Finally some real news coming about Kepler! I don't like the design/layout, hopefully just an ES model so end product hopefully be different :o

Hurry up and release nVidia so ATi can drop 7900 price's and i can maybe upgrade :laugh:
Posted on Reply
#47
seronx
Crap Daddy2x6 pin one on top of the other? ES... think they might change it? The chip seems to be 340ish mm2 as some have pointed out.
It's a 6-pin on top of an 8-pin.
Posted on Reply
#48
hhumas
lets see what happens
Posted on Reply
#49
seronx
hhumaslets see what happens
Harold Camping's new rapture prediction March 23rd, 2012!!!
Posted on Reply
#50
wolf
Better Than Native
9/10 of this thread is arguments over a 2 pin connector? come on guys whatabout the KICKASS new GPU on that PCB? the new VRM and pci-e power arrangement, or good old fashioned performance speculation? :)
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