Futuremark vs nVidia continued - kinda, that is...

[Uttar]

Hey everyone,

As always, I'll just quote GPU:RW (http://www.notforidiots.com/GPURW.php) :)

Not a lot of new info nowadays, but don't worry, because here's some GPU:RW-only info!
First of all, nVidia is set to rejoin FutureMark's beta program. Amusing, isn't it? :)
And secondly, FutureMark agreed to do a demo ( I don't believe this is a benchmark demo, just something like Dawn ) for nVidia's NV40, to be launched at Comdex.

In an unrelated note, I'm going on vacation as of tommorow, for five days, so don't worry if I don't update the site ( not like I did it much nowadays, wasn't my fault then, eh ) - I am *still* alive ( Okay, I don't know if I'm alive right now, but this ain't a phylosophical site :P )

Thanks, and hope you enjoyed the info! :) Don't have many precisions, but you could always ask now and I'll see if I can suppose anything... Doubt I can though :D


Uttar

[GlowStick]

The demo part is pritty cool info.

I wonder if it will use pritty much the same engine as 3dmark03, as many programmers commented that 3dmark03 dose shadows in an unrealistic and 'dumb' way.

[digitalwanderer]

Thanks for the info, VERY interesting!

Enjoy your vaca buddy! :)

[Paul]

I expected them to join the beta program again for the NV40, but didn't expect a demo from them. Interesting stuff.

[GlowStick]

Yeah i wonder whats so special about a 'demo' that Futuremark is the only one who can make it!

[Slappi]

Originally posted by GlowStick
Yeah i wonder whats so special about a 'demo' that Futuremark is the only one who can make it!


Futuremark agrees to publically state that nVidia didn't cheat and nVidia gives Futuremark some business and rejions their beta programs. A little hush hush money and no one is the wiser .... hmmmm sneaky sneaky.

[XForce]

It's really sad today how much some people have to take the bang just to keep their job and/or company alive. :rolleyes:

Making a demo for Nvidia will cost FM their last bit of credibility, just as "accepting" their driver policy.

[SurfMonkey]

Why should they lose any credability by making a demo for NVidia. Demos are another part of FutureMarks revenue stream, it's just another cash cow.

I think it will serve the purpose of letting FMs programmers get to grips with the NV4x architecture especially considering that it will be the only one available that will support PS\VS 3.0 directly.

Saying that FM will lose anything over a small deal like this is just a knee jerk reaction.

[Uttar]

Originally posted by SurfMonkey
I think it will serve the purpose of letting FMs programmers get to grips with the NV4x architecture especially considering that it will be the only one available that will support PS\VS 3.0 directly.

And since when doesn't the R420 support VS3.0. / PS3.0. ? :)


Uttar

[Sazar]

Originally posted by Uttar
And since when doesn't the R420 support VS3.0. / PS3.0. ? :)


Uttar

since we are talking about r420.. and therefore by implication pci express... will current gfx cards work in a pci express slot with an adaptor ?

just wondering about that... since I have not read/heard too much about pci express...

[GlowStick]

Originally posted by Sazar
since we are talking about r420.. and therefore by implication pci express... will current gfx cards work in a pci express slot with an adaptor ?

just wondering about that... since I have not read/heard too much about pci express...

Well what people are saying is, the first ones will have an adaptor 'built' in on the card, so it will just act like a regular agp8x card.......... or maybe they can just sell 2 versions

[SurfMonkey]

Originally posted by Uttar
And since when doesn't the R420 support VS3.0. / PS3.0. ? :)


Uttar

I didn't actually mean that the R420 doesn't support VS3.0. / PS3.0. I think they will do so through the use of macros and a few register changes, I just don't think they will have all the dynamic branching etc implemented natively in their hardware. Maybe some support will be through the use of the F-buffer and drivers. As far as I know the R420 is more like a jazzed up R3xx with a few extra features, not a new design. More of an soup made from the R3xx features and R400 bits that are feasible for ATI to do now.

Maybe it's because ATI have stated that they don't think that VS3.0. / PS3.0 support is necessary yet. But then again knowing how the red devils think they'll probably have the whole shebang done and dusted just to suprise us.