"NV50 canned"...

[Soylent]

I've been waiting for graphics cards to move to >256 bit for a long while now. Seeing how huge the difference between 128 and 256 bit cards are(e.g. radeon 9800 pro VS radeon 9800 with 128 bit memory interface and the same clock speed). What is the big holdup in moving to 384 bit or 512 bit memory interface? It might be able to use slower modules and get similar performance(which would save money if the memory controller isn't hideously complex and expensive and the PCB has too many layers.)

[JoKeRr]

I've been waiting for graphics cards to move to >256 bit for a long while now. Seeing how huge the difference between 128 and 256 bit cards are(e.g. radeon 9800 pro VS radeon 9800 with 128 bit memory interface and the same clock speed). What is the big holdup in moving to 384 bit or 512 bit memory interface? It might be able to use slower modules and get similar performance(which would save money if the memory controller isn't hideously complex and expensive and the PCB has too many layers.)

my guess: #1 issue will be much more comlexity on the memory controller for the core, and PCB designed must be able to provide a wide enough interface with low noise, so --> bigger pcb / more layers and more $$$. need more ram chips as well, and that can be a cost factor??(Maybe?) just my guestimations.

PS: SECRET SPY PHOTO OF NV47!! http://www.davidovic.co.yu/gallery/nv47.htm

[Lezmaka]

The biggest problem going from 256 bit to 512 bit is the pincount. To increase the bus width, you'd need to add more pins to the GPU. And since the chips themselves are either staying roughly the same size or getting smaller, it's hard to fit all those pins on there.

[Filibuster]

Yeah it all comes down to power/heat vs design/pincount.
Which one is most cost effective at the time.

[Coz]

What is the big holdup in moving to 384 bit or 512 bit memory interface?
Here's a 512-bit+512MB memory interface card (which also features a seperate 128-bit+128MB interface too) from 3DLabs.......

http://www.3dlabs.com/products/product.asp?prod=293

Shame the PCB is covered by that mega dustbuster, I'll bet it looks pretty interesting nekkid!! Simply routing all those traces for a 512-bit memory interface must be quite a challenge, add to that the pin-count of the GPU and the cost/complexity of the card and it's not surprising we haven't seen it with gaming cards yet. It's probably only a matter of time before we do though. (xmasmile)