Attn: new video card developments: 6600

[fedz]

As many of you probably know, Nvidia has released its first 6600 cards for testing, with a view for a release in mid-september. These cards are less power hungry than the 6800, but come close to them in performance.

More information can be found from:
Bios magazine (http://www.biosmagazine.co.uk/article.php?id=1125)
Albatron (http://www.albatron.com.sg/en/news/detail.php?ID=35)
Tom's hardware (benchmarks) (http://graphics.tomshardware.com/graphic/20040907/)
Nvidia (http://www.nvidia.com/page/pg_20040809944103.html)

The specs in brief:

6600GT:
8 pipelines
1000MHz memory
500MHz core
128mb GDDR3 memory (128 bit)
2x 400MHz RAMDAC
$200-230

6600 'vanilla'
8 pipelines
500MHz memory
300MHz core
128mb DDR1 memory (128 bit)
2x 400MHz RAMDAC
$150-170
Both are PCI-E, although AGP versions are expected later this year.
I just wish they were 256 bit and had 256mb of memory, but that's what the ultra's for!!

:) fedz

[WhatsThisBoxFor?]

What are the specs for the Ultra's?

Edit: Sorry, seems like there is no ultra version, at least at Tom's.

[fedz]

Ultras not yet planned. I guess they're waiting for ATi's answer before bringing it out. It's going to be hard for ATi, this card definitely overruns the X600XT (then does a u-turn and runs it over again for good measure lol).
Now for the X700 series?

:) fedz

[fedz]

If anyone has any developments/comments on this 6600 stuff, post here. It'd be easier to keep developments in one thread for quick 'n easy reading methinks...

:) fedz

[Angelus]

ExtremeTech article, good read:

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1558,1643492,00.asp

[Alienware_Dude]

That is a good read, indeed. Thanks.

[fedz]

Really nice article. Not too much on the RV410 yet...

:) fedz

edit: here (http://www.nvidia.com/object/IO_14976.html) are a few tidbits of info on release dates, manufacturers, prices and the like. Very useful and definitely recommended.
Confirms the release date as end september.

edit2: Manufacturer info:
Gainward (http://www.gainward.com/html/product/vga/PCI-Express/6600GT/1960pcxxp.htm#2)
Albatron 6600 (http://www.albatron.com.tw/english/it/vga/specification.asp?pro_id=120)
Albatron 6600GT (http://www.albatron.com.tw/english/it/vga/specification.asp?pro_id=121)
biostar (http://www.biostar-usa.com/newsdetails.asp?newsid=20040820)
MSI (http://www.msi.com.tw/program/newsrelease/news_page.php?UID=328)

I also found out that Gigabyte named theirs like this:
GV-NX66T256D/ GV-NX66T128D/GV-NX66128D
We hope that the GV-NX66T256D will be a 256mb version...

Sparkle will have a 128MB and 256MB 6600 and a 128MB 6600GT

Sadly, no news from Gigabyte, PNY, Leadtek, Asus or AOpen.

Watch this space!!

:) fedz

[fedz]

Here's a link from Tin canary
http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=110309

I will keep everyone posted on any developments (i.e. who sells this little beauty first)

:) fedz

[fedz]

here's the 6600GT benchmarked against the X700 pro. Beats it hands down apparently
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=27&threadid=1390430

:) fedz

[discodanman45]

I would like to see a comparison between a 9800 pro and the 6600. The 6600 has faster RAM and core speeds. However the 9800 Pro is still a 256-bit card compared to the 128-bit 6600. I want to see some benchmarking these two cards to see what is the best bang for the buck for a $200 video card. Looks like nVidia at least pulled even to ATI again, a full recovery from the FX series.

[fedz]

The 6600GT beats the 9800XT and 5950 ultra hands down in most tests, and the 6600 gets about the same benchmarks. Both 6600's are quite a bit better than the 9800 pro, although I wish the GT were 256bit (and 256mb). They're probably saving that up for the ultra.
Bad idea of ATi, releasing the X700XT. NVidia have scope for improvement (with the ultra), but ATi don't. They could always introduce a X700XT-PE, but that would be ridiculous.
Well done Nvidia

:) fedz

[spyder003]

I would like to see a comparison between a 9800 pro and the 6600. The 6600 has faster RAM and core speeds. However the 9800 Pro is still a 256-bit card compared to the 128-bit 6600. I want to see some benchmarking these two cards to see what is the best bang for the buck for a $200 video card. Looks like nVidia at least pulled even to ATI again, a full recovery from the FX series.

From most benchmarks it looks like it beats out the 9800 Pro and XT with AA/AF off. It doesn't do so well with AA/AF on because of the 128-bit memory. I was thinking of upgrading to a 9800 series soon, but I think I may go with a 6600 series instead. I thought this was going to be initially released as a PCI-E card. Does anyone know if there will be an AGP version released anytime soon?

[fedz]

6600GT beats the 9800 pro with and without AA/AF, and is in the same price range. I'd definitely go for that. Remember that it's also SLi compatible, which is a bonus for the future. AGP versions will be released in October.

:) fedz

[fedz]

UPDATE TIME!!!
Now that the X700's been benchmarked, here are the results:

The tech report:
http://techreport.com/reviews/2004q3/radeon-x700xt/index.x?pg=1

Tom's Hardware:
http://www20.graphics.tomshardware.com/graphic/20040921/index.html

Anandtech:
http://anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2214&p=1

[H]ardOCP:
http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=NjY2


Check out the Power consumption here: Verrry interesting!!!
http://techreport.com/reviews/2004q3/radeon-x700xt/index.x?pg=26
And for the 6800/X800 series:
http://techreport.com/reviews/2004q3/geforce6800-comparo/index.x?pg=11

For those of you that can't be bothered to read, the 6600GT does marginally better than the X700XT. The X700XT's performance takes a huge hit at higher frame rates, whereas the 6600GT stays respectable. Generally, all the reviewers say that the 6600GT pips it by a tiny margin, and that SLI is worth going for. Where's the 6600Ultra?

:) fedz