gk104 in production, April release? [fud]

[blackened23]

http://www.fudzilla.com/home/item/26069-kepler-gk104-cards-in-production

We got word that Nvidia finally talked to its partners about its highly confidential Kepler products.

They got briefed, they got the reference design and the production of the cards is staring as we speak. It looks like most of the cards available at launch are going to look alike, with different cooling from some partners, but the non-reference partner cards will come a bit later.

Nvidia should be ready to release GK104 by April, but we are not aware of any solid date at this time. Jensen did mention that Nvidia had some lower than expected 28nm yields but also clarified that it is nothing like the transition to 40nm a few years back.

Despite some rumors that Kepler might be a good performer, AMD is still enjoying quite good sales of its 28nm products. It is getting ready to finish launching top to bottom portfolio from entry level all the way to high-end.

No word on bigK, but it appears that GK104 will be released soon, hopefully we'll get credible benchmarks sometime.

 

[Silverforce11]

By the time you get credible leaks with AIB sourced cards, then launch should be ~a month away.

Atm there's not even ES leaks, which is indicative that we may have a long way to go.. OR NV is very good at keeping spies out.

March launch looks like gk107 then, followed by gk106.. and we may not see gk104 for awhile. sux for ppl looking to upgrade old cards.

 

[Homeles]

By April means before April. I.e, March.

 

[superjim]

By April means before April. I.e, March.

A 1 month turn-around for AIBs to pump out a non-reference heatsink/fan assembly? Sounds optimistic even for the most veteran AIBs. Designing it wouldn't take a ton of time but manufacturing them would.

 

[blackened23]

By April means before April. I.e, March.

Neither you, I , or fud know that - so i'm not sure why you're stating this as a fact. But if it is march, great! Considering that AIB partners were *just* briefed on it, a March release sounds optimistic.

 

[Vesku]

Given the GTX 580 1.5GB is still around $480, it would be quite the ninja release if GK104 arrived before April.

 

[Quantos]

Neither you, I , or fud know that - so i'm not sure why you're stating this as a fact. But if it is march, great! Considering that AIB partners were *just* briefed on it, a March release sounds optimistic.

I think he was just stating that the wording actually means in March. If something is released "by April", technically that means "before the beginning of".

 

[railven]

I look forward to any benches/leaks. Hopefully they are good and it's GTX 580 performance with of course 28nm luxuries.

The big question is still price. I'm praying for $350, but if it gets to $400, I guess that still isn't too bad. 2GB VRAM right? If it's faster than the HD 7950 3GB, than that should put pressure on AMD. And I like pressure.

Buying time is coming up! I'm eagerly awaiting any price cuts!

 

[96Firebird]

Ehh, if its above $350, I guess I'll have more waiting to do. Really don't want to spend more than $300, but whats 2 more hours of work?

 

[Mopetar]

The big question is still price. I'm praying for $350, but if it gets to $400, I guess that still isn't too bad. 2GB VRAM right? If it's faster than the HD 7950 3GB, than that should put pressure on AMD. And I like pressure.

Buying time is coming up! I'm eagerly awaiting any price cuts!

I'd like it too, but I wouldn't bet on it. My best bet is that they'll price it competitively to AMD. The 28nm process still has low yields and both companies need to recoup money spend developing their new cards and paying for access to TSMC's new process, which at this point has limited capacity. If I had to guess, I think that they'll shoot for a price hole in AMD's lineup based on performance.

 

[railven]

I'd like it too, but I wouldn't bet on it. My best bet is that they'll price it competitively to AMD. The 28nm process still has low yields and both companies need to recoup money spend developing their new cards and paying for access to TSMC's new process, which at this point has limited capacity. If I had to guess, I think that they'll shoot for a price hole in AMD's lineup based on performance.

I agree. I'm sure in the end they'll try to squeeze every red dime we have. But I'm only saying that because of all the crap AMD got for how they priced their HD 7-series.

Imagine if the GTX 670 Ti is marginally faster than an GTX 580 and priced in the $400+ spectrum? Woof. So many would dine on crow. Worse if it's slower than the GTX 580/HD 7950 and still $400+.

I just want a GTX 580 like card for $350, and I'd be happy. Even if that means the GTX 580 itself getting to $350 haha, which might be possible.

 

[nemesismk2]

I am in the market for a new video card but I am holding out until I see some reviews of what Nvidia can offer against AMD before I decide.

 

[Mopetar]

I just want a GTX 580 like card for $350, and I'd be happy. Even if that means the GTX 580 itself getting to $350 haha, which might be possible.

You might need to wait for a while on that one. It's going to take a while for the new 28nm process to mature and improve yields, which should allow prices to decrease. Also, these are the first architectures out for the process, so the designs had to be more conservative in order for both companies to get their cards out. Experience with the process and better yields are going to drive the performance of the next series of cards from both companies.

 

[tviceman]

Ehh, if its above $350, I guess I'll have more waiting to do. Really don't want to spend more than $300, but whats 2 more hours of work?

After taking out taxes, alimony, child support, and health insurance, you actually lost money on those two hours. :biggrin:






Just kidding!

 

[bryanW1995]

By the time you get credible leaks with AIB sourced cards, then launch should be ~a month away.

Atm there's not even ES leaks, which is indicative that we may have a long way to go.. OR NV is very good at keeping spies out.

March launch looks like gk107 then, followed by gk106.. and we may not see gk104 for awhile. sux for ppl looking to upgrade old cards.

Way to be circumspect in your criticism of NV. Rollo would be proud, you are learning.

 

[superjim]

They say the past is the best indicator of the future right? With this in mind, I just can't accept that GK104 will be less than $450 assuming the rumors are true about its performance, sitting between the 7950 and 7970. Like others mentioned NV needs to recoup 28nm costs during the critical initial release time.

 

[railven]

You might need to wait for a while on that one. It's going to take a while for the new 28nm process to mature and improve yields, which should allow prices to decrease. Also, these are the first architectures out for the process, so the designs had to be more conservative in order for both companies to get their cards out. Experience with the process and better yields are going to drive the performance of the next series of cards from both companies.

That's why I get the feeling I'd most likely be buying a GTX 580 if I want GTX 580 like perf for $350.

Assume this card is faster than an HD 7950 but slower than the HD 7970, that would put it some where in the $400 to $450 price range. Say $400 just to punch AMD in the balls, which means if the scale of economics kicks in, the HD 7950 3GB should go down to say $400, the 1.5GB when it launches at $350, and those the GTX 580 being slower logically would fall under $350.

Wait and see I guess. Seems like the last two years has been difficult. Those who bought HD 5K series made out like bandits, those that waited for GTX 4 series had a lot of conditions to handle, and by the time HD 6K/GTX 5 series was out, only those looking for optimum performance bought. THose with 5k and GTX 4 series didn't have to, it wasn't really worth it.

Now 28nm craps all over itself and we got to pay the premiums.

Go Premiums!

 

[superjim]

Seems like the last two years has been difficult. Those who bought HD 5K series made out like bandits, those that waited for GTX 4 series had a lot of conditions to handle, and by the time HD 6K/GTX 5 series was out, only those looking for optimum performance bought. THose with 5k and GTX 4 series didn't have to, it wasn't really worth it.

In hindsight, I was one of the lucky ones who got a 5870 on launch day for the $380 MSRP. I sold it yesterday for $200 shipped. ~$190 over 2.5 years. I don't think I'll see that type of return on a GPU ever again.

 

[notty22]

VR-Zone is going to really milk some new Kepler information.
They have a board that was made in late 2011.
Needing a 6 + 8 pin pci-e power connector. More info to come later......
NVIDIA Kepler Power Circuitry Revealed: 300W TDP?

 

[Stuka87]

That's why I get the feeling I'd most likely be buying a GTX 580 if I want GTX 580 like perf for $350.

Assume this card is faster than an HD 7950 but slower than the HD 7970, that would put it some where in the $400 to $450 price range. Say $400 just to punch AMD in the balls, which means if the scale of economics kicks in, the HD 7950 3GB should go down to say $400, the 1.5GB when it launches at $350, and those the GTX 580 being slower logically would fall under $350.

Wait and see I guess. Seems like the last two years has been difficult. Those who bought HD 5K series made out like bandits, those that waited for GTX 4 series had a lot of conditions to handle, and by the time HD 6K/GTX 5 series was out, only those looking for optimum performance bought. THose with 5k and GTX 4 series didn't have to, it wasn't really worth it.

Now 28nm craps all over itself and we got to pay the premiums.

Go Premiums!

I really don't see nVidia undercutting AMD. As they have never done so as far as I recall.

 

[kidsafe]

In hindsight, I was one of the lucky ones who got a 5870 on launch day for the $380 MSRP. I sold it yesterday for $200 shipped. ~$190 over 2.5 years. I don't think I'll see that type of return on a GPU ever again.

Same thing here...Sold my 5870 for $192 about a month ago. Some of it is the bitcoin craze, but really when you think about it, the HD 5870 performs about as well as a >$200 560 Ti.

 

[toyota]

I really don't see nVidia undercutting AMD. As they have never done so as far as I recall.

neither do I. AMD did not set the bar very high yet went up 50% on their prices so all that does is allow Nvidia to sell what would have been a gtx660 at gtx670 prices.

 

[Homeles]

I think he was just stating that the wording actually means in March. If something is released "by April", technically that means "before the beginning of".

This.

 

[Mopetar]

I am in the market for a new video card but I am holding out until I see some reviews of what Nvidia can offer against AMD before I decide.

Pretty much the same boat as you. At least it will be out around the same time as IB so it makes the wait more bearable. I think that regardless of which brand I go with, I'll end up with something nice.

That's why I get the feeling I'd most likely be buying a GTX 580 if I want GTX 580 like perf for $350.

Even that could take a while. The 580 is hovering around $450 right now and I don't expect it to get too heavily discounted until the next generation of cards come out. By then you'll be able to get 580 performance from a new $350 card anyway. Though if you check online often enough you'll probably be able to snag a 580 for cheaper with a good rebate.

 

[SirPauly]

Worse if it's slower than the GTX 580/HD 7950 and still $400+.

What a way to garner new sales.