Topic: we are going to need a portable nuclear reacter for the future of gaming.

[Sirgod]

http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=4442

I've been looking at stories about the new Geforce 8 seires of cards, and wow, Just wow.

Gentlemen, start your DirectX10 engines

DailyTech received its first looks at a GeForce 8800 production sample today, and by the looks of it, the card is a monster: at least with regard to size and power requirements.

The GeForce 8800 comes in two flavors, which we will get into more detail about over the course of the next few days.  The first card, the GeForce 8800GTX, is the full blown G80 experience, measuring a little less than 11 inches in length.  The GeForce 8800GTS is a cut down version of the first, and only 9 inches in length.

The marketing material included with the card claims NVIDIA requires at least a 450W power supply for a single GeForce 8800GTX, and 400W for the 8800GTS.  Top tier vendors in Taiwan have already confirmed with DailyTech that GeForce 8800 cards in SLI mode will likely carry a power supply "recommendation" of 800W.  NVIDIA's GeForce 7950GX2, currently the company's top performing video card, carries a recommendation of 400W to run the card in single-card mode.

NVIDIA is slated to launch both versions of the GeForce 8800 in November of this year.  More details on the GeForce 8800 will be available later today on DailyTech.
Update 10/05/2006: We originally reported the GeForce 8800GTX and 8800GTS are 9" in length.  The reference design for the 8800GTX is actually a little less than 11 inches.  The GTX has two 6-pin power adaptors, the GTS has only one.

[Nemesis]

Gentlemen, start your DirectX10 engines

DirectX10 is Vista only last I heard.  So those of us who refuse the "upgrade" to Vista won't be using it.

It isn't the first time a video card has needed external power.  Advances in process technology always has brought the power back down.  I expect the same will happen here.  Sooner or later (and I think sooner) a limit will be reached where video cards are capable of everything we can use and further upgrades will be non productive.  At that point video card only companies will be doomed as integrated video will catch up.

[Sirgod]

Oh I understand that, Heck my ATI x800 has the powersupply plugged to it. Your dead on about Vista though. I doybt very much I'll be upgrading my OS. Xp is invasive enough for me. The tech specs though for that card just blows my mind.

Stephen

[Nemesis]

Your dead on about Vista though.

They have backed off a bit on the EULA.  Wish I had video of that board meeting.

[Tus-XC]

*grumbling*  had my dream computer all set up, now i need to pick a bigger PS *grumbles*  its a good thing that the cadet loan i get is a good hunk of change (25k at 1% interest, no interest or payments until i graduate, curtosy of usaa, and yes i'm investing almost all of it, but i do need to at least have a lil play money, i've been good all this year )

[Javora]

It isn't the first time a video card has needed external power.  Advances in process technology always has brought the power back down.  I expect the same will happen here.  Sooner or later (and I think sooner) a limit will be reached where video cards are capable of everything we can use and further upgrades will be non productive.  At that point video card only companies will be doomed as integrated video will catch up.

That path is already in progress, do a search for Fusion and you will get an idea what AMD and their newly acquired subsidiary ATI are planing for the future of computer video.

[Soliton]

It's weird but I remember having a lot more fun with the very basic graphics games than I do now with the super cell shading, anti-aliasing, and all that stuff. Maybe just the newness of games has worn off, or maybe they just keep adding more eye candy and not real content. I like the better graphics, only that it seems to be used as a substitute for everything else.

[Sirgod]

It's weird but I remember having a lot more fun with the very basic graphics games than I do now with the super cell shading, anti-aliasing, and all that stuff. Maybe just the newness of games has worn off, or maybe they just keep adding more eye candy and not real content. I like the better graphics, only that it seems to be used as a substitute for everything else.

Good point, I think alot of it has to do with Dame Desiegners caring more about a story, and not Flash. It's what gives you that warm feeling when talking about wasteland or the bards tale, instead of the newest incarnation of Shoot some stuff up 3D extreme.

Stephen

[Tus-XC]

I think the exception is Half life 2, very good story arc (to include the continuation w/ episode 1)  and the preview for episode 2.... oooo love it .  but not only does it have a good story arc, it has the graphics to back it up.

[Commander Maxillius]

I think I'd rather sink money into portability than breaker-popping visuals.


For instance, developing "electric paper" into something faster and clearer so I can finally have that 30-inch laptop.

[Nemesis]

I think I'd rather sink money into portability than breaker-popping visuals.


For instance, developing "electric paper" into something faster and clearer so I can finally have that 30-inch laptop.

I'd like a paperback sized portable computer with a good screen and standard batteries, without being locked down with DRM.

[Sirgod]

That raises a good question. HAve any of you browsed Google library? I did, and to be honest, I couldn't find much worth reading, or If I did, I already had a copy of that book.

stephen