Originally posted by: keysplayr2003
Ok here goes:
"Except its not that simple. The GX2 takes up more than just one slot, the one its plugged into, and another. A dual core CPU does not.
Dual CPU systems (not dual core systems) took up two physical sockets and was a "dual processor system" until they developed dual core CPU's, two sockets were needed for multiprocessor systems. Now two CPU's only take up one socket.
Dual GPU systems such as SLI and Crossfire take up two physical PCI-e slots for a "dual GPU system" until they developed a way to have SLI on a single PCI-e x16 slot. Cards such as Gigabyte and ASUS made actually required and SLI motherboard to utilize SLI functionality. The GX2 can run on just about any of the 51 non SLI single PCI-e Nforce4 boards available from OEM's. Sure, the extra width of the GX2 will cover any adjacent PCI/PCI-e x1 slot, but that also goes for any card with a hsf that takes up an adjacent slot as well.
True. The point was, a DC CPU takes up the same amount of space as a single core CPU. The GX2 takes up more than one "slot". So in that aspect, they are not comparable to a dual core CPU.
Originally posted by: keysplayr2003
The GX2 has two seperate PCB's, two seperate GPU's, two seperate fans, two seperate amounts of ram. The dual core CPU is nothing like it in that regard.
Yes, the GX2 has what you listed above. That is how it is packaged. Nvidia could have made it into one very large card but it would have been impractical to market a product that wouldn't fit into most PC cases. As for the Dual core CPU reference, some DC CPU's are two physical and separate chips in the package, such as the Smithfield or Presler. X2's I believe are part of the same piece of sillicon. It's all in the way it is packaged. Core 2 Duo's are part of the same silicon. The way nvidia created the GX2 was the most practical way to implement it. Rather than have a very huge single PCB, limiting the number of people who can actaully buy it and use it in their case, two smaller PCB's were used side by side making it much more user friendly. And it still has SLI performance while only utilizing a single PCI-e slot making SLI performance available to all those people who only opted for a single PCI-e x16 motherboard. (If I am on the wrong track here, let me know. Commenting as best I can as per the context I see.)
The way they are packaged is not even close. As you mentioned, all of the DC CPU's "parts" are inside. But they are not really alike in how they are setup to work. There are some similarities, looking from the outside in, one looks the same, the other looks like to bolted together.
Originally posted by: keysplayr2003
The only thing they have in common, is that they both plug into one "slot". Looking at the outside of a dual core CPU, and a single core, you cannot tell the difference. You can with a GX2 and a single 7900 card very easily.
Yes, one slot/socket is used for both a Dual Core CPU and a GX2. Like I stated above, it was the most practical way for Nvidia to design the GX2. They can market it to almost anyone with a single PCI-e motherboard. It is just the packaging. For example, Nvidia could have sealed the GX2 in some sort of plastic/aluminum air tunnel with a different fan design. Think of the 5900 series from Leadtek Winfast cards. All you could see were fans and a large enclosure, and could not see the PCB at all. Now because it could not be seen, and still only utilized one PCI-e slot, do you think anyone would still even pose the question whether or not it was a single card solution or not? I don't know for sure, but my guess is not really.
Yes the one slot was much easier for them. And it makes a lot of sense. The point is, when he said "dual-core cpu = single socket, dual-gpu graphics adapter = single slot", and then saying that they are the same thing, is pretty silly. They look nothing alike. As I mentioned, a single core CPU looked exactly the same, as a DC CPU. No matter if they made an enclosure or not, it would not look like a single card. Its just too big. But I get your point.
Originally posted by: keysplayr2003
The votes are pretty much dead even, with a very small percentage leaning towards it being two cards. Thats my opinion on it. I can easily see two cards "bolted" together.
Yes, two PCB package. Connected together. It doesn't really matter if we decide the GX2 is one or two cards.
It brings 7900GT SLI level power to single PCIE slot motherboards, and is the most powerful single PCIE slot graphics solution on the market today. It's widely available, reasonably priced, uses less power than a single X1900XT, is quieter, and offers far higher framerates. (not to mention the additional AA modes and HDCP)
What I mean to say is, we can dispute endlessly about why the GX2 is two cards that can mysteriously be run on single PCIE boards, lots and lots of of people are buying them and enjoying SLI levels of performance.
I agree, and have said the same thing. Its a fine card for the price. There are a lot of good things about it. There are some negatives too, but there always is.
Originally posted by: keysplayr2003
It doesnt matter what it is really, all that matters is that its here, and aside from some bugs, works very well. The rest is not relevant. Most people here are not going to buy one, and some just want to claim a "victory" for the fastest "single" card out."
It's true, it really does not matter. They are selling extremely well. I see quite a few people here who either have one or are waiting in eVGA's step-up queue. Those that have one, can claim "victory" (if so desired) of having the
fastest single PCI-e slot solution (
my bold) available (right now). Something faster is always up the pike and around the corner.
I hope this is more like the response you were looking for. I think I addressed all of the points one way or another.
P.S. I never got to see Superman yesterday.
My little girl suddenly got a fever. She is doing better today so we shall see.
Keys
Yes, "fastest single PCI-e slot solution". To me, not the fastest "single card". Because I think its SLI on a stick, so to speak. I do think the Asus card with both GPU's on a single card, is a single card however. Its just a difference of opinion. But as I said.. it doesnt matter. Its here, its available, and it works fairly well.
Much better resoonse, thanks. I just had issues with him posting "dual-core cpu = single socket, dual-gpu graphics adapter = single slot", and stopping there. And then a few people only singling out the one point, out of several I felt I made. Thats not looking at the big picture, not even close to it.
Originally posted by: thilan29
Originally posted by: keysplayr2003
Dual GPU systems such as SLI and Crossfire take up two physical PCI-e slots for a "dual GPU system" until they developed a way to have SLI on a single PCI-e x16 slot. Cards such as Gigabyte and ASUS made actually required and SLI motherboard to utilize SLI functionality. The GX2 can run on just about any of the 51 non SLI single PCI-e Nforce4 boards available from OEM's. Sure, the extra width of the GX2 will cover any adjacent PCI/PCI-e x1 slot, but that also goes for any card with a hsf that takes up an adjacent slot as well.
If you got the number 51 from the NVidia website, those boards are not all non-SLI boards. At least 20 of the 51 are SLI boards so you almost
have to get an SLI board to run the card. I think people's statements and assumptions that this card will run on just about any motherboard is grossly misrepresented. You'd probably run into less problems with SLI boards since they already have the PCI-e switch right?
One of the more popular boards is not a gurarantee to work either, sadly.
Which leads me to the next note: try as I might I couldn't get the 7950 GX2 to run in dual-GPU mode on the A8N-SLI (even with the beta BIOS(s) that supposed added support for the card). I ended up benchmarking the GX2 on the A8R32-MVP instead, which worked fine.
http://www.rage3d.com/articles/preydemoperf/
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