NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GX2 Dismantled

[malware]

Pictures from the NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GX2 dual card popped up online again, showing some new exclusive details never seen before. More pictures can be found here.



View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[GSG-9]

only 1 core? I thought the 9800 was physicly two 8800's, so its a dual core chip

 

[Sasqui]

^Yea, same thoughts here... "why only one GPU?"

 

[DaMulta]

only 1 core? I thought the 9800 was physicly two 8800's, so its a dual core chip

no they didn't put both cores on the same PCB. The PCP is bolted together then runs on one PCI-E slot.

There isn't a shot of it put together.

 

[INSTG8R]

only 1 core? I thought the 9800 was physicly two 8800's, so its a dual core chip

Bit confused on that now too except I thought it was a 2 PCB layout so I think they must just be showing one. If you look at the 3rd pic it appears to have the bridge for the 2nd PCB.

 

[AsRock]

only 1 core? I thought the 9800 was physicly two 8800's, so its a dual core chip

They left the other PCB on the heatsink by the looks of it. Pics do not show on that other site for me so maybe they show it there.

 

[malware]

Yes there're two PCBs, but pictures show them one by one...so that makes the illusion that there's only one core. I'll add the second PCB (pic) in a few minutes.

 

[Xaser04]

Yes there're two PCBs, but pictures show them one by one...so that makes the illusion that there's only one core. I'll add the second PCB (pic) in a few minutes.

I take it then each pcb fits onto each side of the cooler. (kind of like sandwiching (SP?!) the cooler?!)

 

[DaMulta]

Toms has a pic with the cooler on

 

[btarunr]

Wow, since the release of the HD3870 X2, it's now NVIDIA's turn for all the viral-marketing drama (pre-release reviews, Mysterious pictures, etc.) Just to make people interested in the product

 

[Hawk1]

Wonder if temps are going to be an issue with the cores sandwiched? Aftermarket cooler/waterblock makers will have their work cut out for them on this one (if even possible).

 

[Mattgal]

of course! thake a look at the pic. there are 2 hdmi poerts on eachother.

 

[btarunr]

only 1 core? I thought the 9800 was physicly two 8800's, so its a dual core chip

Pics #2 and #3 are two different PCB's. The second PCB has no PCI-E expansion interface.

 

[newtekie1]

So the cores face eachother, and the cooler is placed in between. I like this design a lot better than the 7950 GX2.

 

[MicroUnC]

only 1 core? I thought the 9800 was physicly two 8800's, so its a dual core chip

It have 2 PCB's it's going to be sandwich, 2 PCB's & a fan & Heatsink between them. very tasty

 

[zOaib]

So the cores face eachother, and the cooler is placed in between. I like this design a lot better than the 7950 GX2.

the idea is great but we have to wait and see real temps and other numbers once this thing gets reviewed .............. but on the other hand ATi did a better job just putting 2 cores on one pcb , i gues nvidia is just to lazy to do that instead ....... just my opinion .

 

[phanbuey]

but on the other hand ATi did a better job just putting 2 cores on one pcb , i gues nvidia is just to lazy to do that instead ....... just my opinion .

haha... maybe true... Cant wait to see how this stacks up against the 3870X2... seems like Nvidia may actually have some trouble with this one, as SLi doesnt scale as well ... Personally I would rather have seen a signle chip solution... like a 9800GTX with 256 SP's but that may be asking for a bit too much atm.

 

[newtekie1]

the idea is great but we have to wait and see real temps and other numbers once this thing gets reviewed .............. but on the other hand ATi did a better job just putting 2 cores on one pcb , i gues nvidia is just to lazy to do that instead ....... just my opinion .

There are ups and downs to both setups. With ATI's design, one core is getting cooled by the hot air from the other core. So one core is guaranteed to run a lot hotter than the other. The other option is to use two heatsinks and fans, but then the hot air isn't being exhausted out of the case, which is also bad.

I don't really think one disign is really better than the other.

 

[mab1376]

does anyone know the msrp?

 

[CH33T03S]

does anyone know the msrp?

Yea thats what I want to know also!

 

[EnergyFX]

does anyone know the msrp?

How much do you make?

 

[OnBoard]

3870 X2 wins in the aftermarket cooler part, this you can't even put pack together after you dismantle it, there's going to be that one left over part But can't they not use some quality thermalpads and not that gooeyfibrestuff on the high end model at least :/

That sandwich idea is indeed tasty. Comes with instructions:

1. Remove packaging
2. Heat up 30min with favorite FPS
3. Enjoy the crispy silvery taste

 

[candle_86]

Wonder if temps are going to be an issue with the cores sandwiched? Aftermarket cooler/waterblock makers will have their work cut out for them on this one (if even possible).

shouldn't the bolting holes from the 7950GX2 should carry over

 

[newtekie1]

This should actually be easier to watercool compared to the 7950GX2. With this you can just use on sandwiched waterblock. And from the looks of the stock cooler, it shouldn't be too hard to build a waterblock that fits in that space.

 

[Hawk1]

This should actually be easier to watercool compared to the 7950GX2. With this you can just use on sandwiched waterblock. And from the looks of the stock cooler, it shouldn't be too hard to build a waterblock that fits in that space.

Yeah, now that I have a second look at it, it may be easier to WC this thing compared to the 7950's. It looks like it may be difficult to take appart/put back together without undue damage/scratches to the outer shell (thinking for warranty purposes, if you have any issues with the card).