GF100 Fermi card at GTC a fake / mock-up

[Tempered81]

So it's a mock-up for show? Wouldn't surprise me, but lets have a closer look.

Here is the card:
http://i36.tinypic.com/2zz7ntf.jpg
http://i34.tinypic.com/34inz9j.jpg
http://i33.tinypic.com/2enbyf9.jpg

Here it is being waved around for all to see:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVsvvcn1AUE

But what is that unusual backplate covering the gpu?
http://alienbabeltech.com/main.../2009/10/Fermi_GPU.jpg

And why there is a 6-pin and 8-pin connector, but only 10 unmatching solder points on the PCB?
http://i34.tinypic.com/2d7yaew.jpg
http://i34.tinypic.com/2wmdfec.jpg

Did they just saw the PCB down to match the length of the fan shroud?
http://i35.tinypic.com/10yqrmt.jpg

So how do I plug in my sli bridges with this backplate covering the goldfinger?
http://i34.tinypic.com/o00x12.jpg

Why does the fan shroud cover the entire top vent exhaust so air can't get out?
http://i34.tinypic.com/s4cmmp.jpg

Why is there 1 DVI connector, yet solder points for two on the PCB?
http://alienbabeltech.com/main.../2009/10/Fermi_GPU.jpg

Probably because it's a complete fake. Nvidia had to have something to show. Makes me wonder what to think of this:
http://i36.tinypic.com/wmeauw.jpg

They were fairly far behind ATi on TSMC 40nm, I hope they don't abandon gamers with their focus shifted to GPGPU as top priority.

 

[Idontcare]

Looks like just a prototype/engineering model to me. Not polished and obviously not meant to represent the reference design, but that doesn't mean its non-functional or a fake.

If they wanted to make a fake/mock-up card then why not just recycle a slick and polished reference model based on a GT200b (how would you know the difference?).

 

[imported_Shaq]

That's my understanding. It is one of the first off the line and will not represent the final shipping product. We are probably at least six weeks away from gaming reviews and the cards will likely look different. On that card the 8pin connector is on the front and lately they have all been at the top so they can fit in mid-tower cases.

 

[alyarb]

Originally posted by: Tempered81

I hope they don't abandon gamers

do you have any idea how ridiculous you sound? simply because their architecture allows them to expand into other markets without considerable alteration does not at all imply that they are, let alone must, abandon the original market they set out to operate in.


ever heard of killing two birds with one stone? jesus christ.


maybe 15 years from now when GPGPU performance goes up and render performance goes down, you'll have a case.

 

[Tempered81]

I might sound "ridiculous" to you alyarb, but keep your eyes on the poll.

 

[Idontcare]

Originally posted by: Tempered81
They were fairly far behind ATi on TSMC 40nm, I hope they don't abandon gamers with their focus shifted to GPGPU as top priority.

Was AMD abandoning cpu users just because they have were a full year behind on their 45nm cpu's versus Intel? And 32nm?

Originally posted by: Tempered81
I might sound "ridiculous" to you alyarb, but keep your eyes on the poll.

Are you really relying on forum polling as proof of something, of anything?

 

[alyarb]

oh absolutely, because every dorito-stuffing, WoW-playing, LOLcatting idiot on anandtech has the slightest clue about what nvidia's demo strategy leading up to launch will be.

not to mention their staggering insights that have exhibited on what we know thus far about fermi architecturally. yes, you are right. more than doubling the shader and texture performance is a complete slap in the face to 3D rendering enthusiasts. and that poll! there is so much to be said about the consensus of five voters!

you should host it on other sites! perhaps other truths can be divined from your poll, perhaps earthquakes and lotto numbers.

is elvis still alive, Tempered81? can you tell me... please.... IS ELVIS STILL ALIVE!?!??!?!?!

 

[alyarb]

six votes! he's alive!!!! i knew it!!!!!!!

 

[Tempered81]

idc, how do you need proof of anything, just explain how the 6-pin PEG connector attaches to the PCB. or where that group of two PEG solder pads goes?

Alyarb, I'm sorry for starting a conversation with you dude.

 

[alyarb]

huh? i think you misunderstood me. i agree with you, entirely. nvidia is pulling out of the 3D gaming market. they're gone. it's over. this poll and your hard-hitting journalism proves it.

 

[v8envy]

I much preferred ATI's sekrit demo, with the frosted glass side panel and operating cards inside as opposed to hardware being waved about excitedly. Who cares if it's real or fake if it's not running code?

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Why do ya'll get so worked up over video cards? There was even a sticky I had seen at one time reminding everyone to be civil in the video card section. I could understand religion or politics, but video cards?

 

[alyarb]

oh, please. there was no harm done. just a little humor to diffuse an absurd situation. are you telling me that

Originally posted by: Tempered81
I might sound "ridiculous" to you alyarb, but keep your eyes on the poll.

doesn't make you laugh given the propositions put forward in the OP?

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

I also forgot to mention I read in one of the 5870 threads some guy wanted to meet up with another member to fight in a parking lot. I will be waiting for gt300 launch when all hell will break loose.

 

[alyarb]

didn't some guy say he had the little canon 1080p camcorder? i look forward to the vid.

 

[Tempered81]

Here is the Techpowerup editor explaining how it is fake (like a hollow cellphone on display)

http://forums.techpowerup.com/...p=1575985&postcount=10
http://forum.beyond3d.com/show...=1342840&postcount=221

 

[Lonyo]

http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/v...rce_Fermi_Show_Up.html
Xbit discussed some of the "unusual" elements of the card, but didn't say fake.

An interesting thing to point out is that the shown-off Tesla card does not seem to feature Nvidia IO chip, which contains display controllers, which means that either the new flagship GPU features integrated TMDS transmitters, or the DVI-I output does not work.

but a six-pin (which has neither pins nor soldering points)

Even though the card has two mounting places for DVI-I connectors, it sports only one connector and the bracket does not allow to install the second one. Besides, the PCB seems to be rather simplistic, which is a surprise, considering the fact that the GT300 graphics processor has 384-bit memory bus. Even though the board features two MIO connectors for SLI multi-GPU setups, the second connector cannot be installed due to presence of a large heat-spreader on the backside of the card. In general

 

[Tempered81]

Give him some time. Xbit & TPU will likely be editing their news articles in the next little bit to add the "it's a fake" part.

 

[OCGuy]

Jaredpace is a regular John Stossel!

 

[SergeC]

I agree, it's probably a display fake.

The thing is.....so what? How does that change anything at all?

 

[Idontcare]

Originally posted by: Tempered81
Give him some time. Xbit & TPU will likely be editing their news articles in the next little bit to add the "it's a fake" part.

I don't know, sounds like they are being rather traditional with their views on it:

In general, the shown-off add-in-card may be an early sample of a Tesla/GeForce product that is intended for testing internally, but not for sale.

I'm not saying its a fake, I'm saying my default assumption is that it is an engineering prototype and if someone wants to make extraordinary claims to the contrary then there should be some extraordinary proof.

These fuzzy photos aren't proof to me that the card is fake, only Nvidia knows where they needed power and how they elected to solder in the pin connects for the power on their engineering card.

This is Tesla after all, not a GPU. Looking at Tesla and saying "well its lacking GPU stuff, so it must be a fake" is not very inspiring of an analysis.

But if it makes you feel better to surmise that NV bandied about a "for display purposes only" tesla shell then be my guest, sure it is a fake. Now that we concluded and agreed to that, what does it change? About tesla? About GTX380? About anything?

 

[faxon]

looks like they hacked off a GTX280 PCB from the pinouts there rofl. 8 pin mounting and then a set of 2 partially cut off in the exact same spacing as a GTX280's power pinouts

 

[nitromullet]

It looks like the 6-pin connector might be powering the fan directly from the PSU via the 6-pin power connector. http://i35.tinypic.com/10yqrmt.jpg There is clearly a space for a 4-pin fan connector painted on the PCB that doesn't appear to be in use, and in its place is the 6-pin power connector which might not be soldered to the PCB if it is hooked up to the fan.

TBH, I really dunno. Just throwing out ideas here.

 

[nitromullet]

Originally posted by: Idontcare
But if it makes you feel better to surmise that NV bandied about a "for display purposes only" tesla shell then be my guest, sure it is a fake. Now that we concluded and agreed to that, what does it change? About tesla? About GTX380? About anything?

Well, it might be relevant if it's an indicator of whether or not NV has working cards or not (Tesla or otherwise). Although, obviously even if NV showed off only a non-functional shell, it doesn't necessarily mean that they don't have cards working in their labs.

 

[Stoneburner]

It's worrying that this is worth a thread. The stuff you humans get riled up about is confusing!