This is what i understand on the build quality. Regular GTX580 has 6+2 VRMs, 6 dedicated to the GPU core. The 590s PCB has 4 VRMs per GPU, there's already 2 short. This would be fine if these were ran well under-spec. At stock clocks, 590s use around 50W more than a 6990, so we know the NV rated TDP of 375W off the mark by a fair bit. This suggests the following:
1. NV did not expect the 6990 to be clocked so high to be a 300+ W card.
2. They were aiming their 590 to have a max of ~375W, and average load of ~300W. There's no way you just put in 4 VRMs per core if its going to be using 400+ W on max. NV engineers are not stupid.
3. This would have put the core clock at around 525, which would have given it plenty of room for OC to around the safe mark of 670 without big vcore bumps.
4. 6990 released, they and everyone else was shocked it used so much power at stock. Now they have to make the 590 compete, only option is a stock clock boost. So its near its limits already at stock (essentially operating at OC conditions based on the hardware designs).
5. From what i understand, the components blowing are the VRMs or resisters to VRMs. Too much strain if you OC further.
6. Wait for a non-reference card if you want a 590.
Edit: 10 VRM total, typically not all feed the GPUs as other components suck power too, so its 4+1 assigned. I could be wrong.
1. NV did not expect the 6990 to be clocked so high to be a 300+ W card.
2. They were aiming their 590 to have a max of ~375W, and average load of ~300W. There's no way you just put in 4 VRMs per core if its going to be using 400+ W on max. NV engineers are not stupid.
3. This would have put the core clock at around 525, which would have given it plenty of room for OC to around the safe mark of 670 without big vcore bumps.
4. 6990 released, they and everyone else was shocked it used so much power at stock. Now they have to make the 590 compete, only option is a stock clock boost. So its near its limits already at stock (essentially operating at OC conditions based on the hardware designs).
5. From what i understand, the components blowing are the VRMs or resisters to VRMs. Too much strain if you OC further.
6. Wait for a non-reference card if you want a 590.
Edit: 10 VRM total, typically not all feed the GPUs as other components suck power too, so its 4+1 assigned. I could be wrong.
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