g800 SPECULATIONS!!

[Sephiroth_IX]

From MatroxUsers

"G800 specs:

G800
Available September 2000
Introduction August 2000
250MHz DDR RAM clock (GF2: 166)
3 pixels/clockcycle, 3 textures/pixel (G400MAX 2/1; GF2: 4/2)
Fillrate 600 MPixels, respectively 1800 MTexels (G400MAX 300/300; GF2: 800/1600)
T&L unit with 20-30 million polys/sec
DualChip setup capability"

Now - This looks to be the one chip version. 3 pixels per clock to the GF2's 4, but it does 3 textures per pixel to the GeForce's 2. This is going to be helpful to the EMBM front, because we will now be able to do it without a hit.

So, lets put the specs down for the dual chip version.

1200mpixels per clock
3600mtexels per clock
40-60million polygons

This doesn't seem TOO awesome, in my eyes.

HOWEVER - John Carmack saw the chip in the spring, and he commented that Matrox has COMPLETELY ILLEVIATED the memory bandwidth problem. Does this mean Tile Based Rendering? Something like the Radeon HyperZ? Or is 250mhz DDR and dual chip's enough bandwidth?

 

[Vegito]

If it has better Dual support then the current G400, I take it... it's a decent product (G400).

 

[ForeverSilky]

Do you have any idea what the G800 is gonna cost with specs like that? Isn't 250mhz DDR ram hard to come by? Bring on the NV20 for me.

 

[zippy]

If the G800 really is going to be available in Sept I'm gonna hold off on a new graphics card...my G400 MAX is chugging away nicely thank you very much.

Heh, G800 Fusion Plus here I come!

BTW, seph, I call the G800 Fusion Plus review...you can have the vanilla G800.

Forever Silly...considering Tom overclocked his Gainward Gf2GTS to 472MHz DDR (aka, 236MHz) I don't think 250 should be too much of a problem in a few months.

 

[vss1980]

250MHz DDR RAM. Where are they going to get this from and how much will it cost? 4ns memory is not going to be cheap. What are they gonna do, steal it from the Infineon, crucial, etc. experimental labs.

This is obviously a specification for their top line g800 card, kinda like the TNT2 and TNT2 Ultra

 

[SSP]

Looks sweet, but I must agree with the memory thing. Its not about availability, it's the price I'm worried about (I really don't care about the price, I'm happy with my G400 ).

 

[EMAN]

I think DDR prices have come down since the release of first Geforce. I think Matrox is hoping just like ATI hoped to get 200mhz ddr. It might just be in the range of 200-233mhz if released by September.

 

[downhiller80]

Well I'm waiting for this or an All-in-wonder Radeon . . .

Dual chips would be nice in either . . .

Seb

 

[SSP]

Wait... Its only 600Mpixels. Isn't that low compared to the GTS (specially the NV20 and V5 6k - competing cards to the G800)?

 

[HaVoC]

Baah, that 1.8Gpixels/sec ain't ever going to happen due to memory bandwidth issues. I am more concerned about T&L power and driver quality.

 

[Soccerman]

yes the Mpixel rate is 200MPixels lower then the Geforce 2 GTS, however, as you might have guessed, right now everyone is concentrating on getting the full use of the graphics chip.

however when thinking about current games, (dual texturing games) you get 1.2 gigapixels. comparable to the NV15's 1.6 no? better then the ATi Radeon? you bet? so what does this mean?

Matrox cards compete with ATi alot. if they have effectively taken the memory bandwidth issue off, then yea, the Matrox G800 will be better then the Radeon in most, if not all respects..

 

[Lore]

I want to know what the RAMDAC on that thing is. I'm more concerned about 2D than ever now - considering all the GeForce cards I've tried (Herc and CL) both have sub-par 2D quality.

 

[zippy]

Lore, if you've used a G400 MAX, it'll be that and MOOOORE!

The G400 MAX is very good with using the bandwidth too.

I bet matrox is using tile based rendering.

 

[Sephiroth_IX]

<< Baah, that 1.8Gpixels/sec ain't ever going to happen due to memory bandwidth issues. I am more concerned about T&amp;L power and driver quality. >>

I'm not so sure - Carmack said they ENDED memory probs...

 

[Sephiroth_IX]

BTW - Does anyone have a link to that .plan update that said that about matrox?

 

[Electric Amish]

I speculate that the G800 is going to Kick @ss!!

amish

 

[Spook]

The 3D performance is a bonus... I need something to replace my G400 for 2D x 2 screens.... Yeah I could go for the Geforce MX dual, but EVERYONE knows that Matrox has superior 2D quality.... I'll wait for the G800..

 

[HaVoC]

If they can even come close to that theoretical performance, it is due to bandwidth optimizatin techniques like tile-rendering, texture compression, etc.

Again, T&amp;L and driver performance will make or break this card.

 

[Thorn]

No, the superior quality, incredible 2D, solid 3D, and great features will make this card.

It's gonna be a real winner... now if I can get them to just send me one, NOW! I've already signed the NDA, what more do they want?!? GIMME! GIMME!!

 

[Thorn]

I'll just have to call them again tomorrow.

Thorn: &quot;Where the hell is my card???&quot;

Matrox R&amp;D guy: &quot;We're not ready to open beta test yet.&quot;

Thorn: &quot;You have 48 hours or Canada GET'S IT! You know what I mean.&quot;

Matrox R&amp;D guy: *GULP* &quot;Uh-huh... you'll have it on Thursday Mr. Thorn.&quot;

Thorn: &quot;I'm glad you're able to see things my way.&quot;

 

[zippy]

Thorn, get two cards, I need one...or I fart in the general direction of canada too! :|

 

[SSP]

Just don't blow it my direction zipster.

Hey, I'm going to Quebec next month. I'll try to steal one if I can

 

[Strafe]

If the G800 lives up to all of its hype I will purchase 2 Sony FW900's to show it off in celebration. Donations will be accepted =).

 

[Howard]

Jean Chretien had better outfit our houses with gas masks, or I will...

:|

 

[Imaginer]

Looks good but what about multimedia and onboard TV?

So it is a choice for an All in wonder Radeon or the g800 with some gizmos... Hoping to pair with an Athlon T-bird and DDR chipset motherboard and Oh yeah!