What is happening to 384 SP GF104?

[lopri]

I did not jump on the GTX 460 after selling my GTX 280 because of the fully functional GF104-based product rumored to be in the waiting. So that made me wait (though I did purchase a GT240 for cheap to get by), but there hasn't been a news regarding 384 SP GF104 lately. Instead the leaks/releases have been mobile 400M series release and GT450/GT455 rumors.

Is there any up-to-date news to 384 SP GF104?

 

[RussianSensation]

There are no news at all. Actually, hardly any reputable sources ever claimed that a GTX475 card was in the pipeline. It was only mentioned that NV may at some point release a full-fledged GF104 core. Unlike the 450/455/460 cards which were confirmed a long time ago, GTX475 was never confirmed. Latest drivers also didn't leak any GTX475 and 485 names.

It makes sense that GTX475 didn't come out yet, however. Think about it from a business perspective. NV sells GTX480s and not 100% fully functioning GF100 cores as GTX470s. If NV were to introduce a GTX475 from GF104 core, what are they going to do with all the non-working GTX480 cores? It would make GTX480 too expensive to manufacture.

As a result, imo, GTX475 can't come out until GTX485 is also ready. This way, both GTX475 and 485/495 will replace the 470/480, respectively. Perhaps NV will release a GTX475 and 495 to replace the 470 and 480, where 495 is GTX460x2.

Secondly, if you are still looking to buy a $300+ graphics card (i.e., GTX475), then might as well pick up HD6000 derivative card. It hardly makes sense to spend $300+ on any NV card at this time. Alternatively, find a deal on a GTX460/470/5850. Those always pop up.

 

[lopri]

TY for the updated info (or no info, lol). The second point you've mentioned doesn't apply to me, though, since I like to have each vendor's cards per generation. I have been looking to replace GTX 280 (which I've just sold) on NV side.

 

[nenforcer]

I've also been waiting for this "rumored" card but think I will probably just have to wait for a price cut on the GTX 460 1GB.

The other threads out now say ATI will only release the mid range replacements HD 67XX next month.

It looks like Christmas season will only include wiping out existing Fermi inventory and ATI milking 58XX series since its still the leader.

 

[tviceman]

I think Nvidia will release the full montey gf104 at the same time as AMD's 6770 to steal the thunder from AMD's 6x00 debut.

You heard it from me first!

 

[bryanW1995]

@lopri: nvidia is in a bind, gtx 480/70 is much more expensive to manufacture and of course they can make a lot more gtx 460's on a wafer of silicon, so they might just switch all production for a while over to gf104. that would also net them enough "good" gpus to put out a hypothetical gtx 475 and a dual gpu 460 for their high end. they'd essentially be ceding the high end single gpu market to amd but would probably keep more mindshare/marketshare to take advantage of when the next round comes.

It pains me slightly to say this, but I must admit that the extras that nvidia provides are much better than amd atm. physx I couldn't care less about, cuda I use for DC but most users are meh about that as well, but nvidia's game specific profiles are a breeze to use and the nvidia control panel is, shall we say, a LOT better than ccc. sli scales so much better than crossfire that dual gtx 460's give 5970 a run for its money. also, whether it's fair or not, nvidia has much better developer relations and clearly has spent more time/money/effort on making their cards perform well in modern games. honestly, my biggest complaint about nvidia is their shady marketing practices and chumps like ******* and his buddy rollo spreading endless amounts of fud.

 

[RussianSensation]

The second point you've mentioned doesn't apply to me, though, since I like to have each vendor's cards per generation.

A true enthusiast right here!! You can always pick up a GTX460/470/480 now from EVGA and have 90 days to step up. That will ensure that you do get to try this gen of NV cards and also 3 months of "hedge" in case 475/485/495 come out.

 

[Bearsfan]

GTX 470 cards have a lot of nice deals going on right now, especially if you have the power supply to run the card. They overclock extremely well and can get close to GTX 480 stock speed performance. Also, there are a lot of game pack ins which help deflect cost. You can order a MSI 470 with free Resident Evil 5, free Mafia 2, and free Just Cause 2 in a combo package for 279.99 after MiR. Palit makes a nice custom dual fan card for $299.99 that help keep temps down and this comes with Mafia 2 and Just Cause 2 in a combo.

You can wait for the 475, but you will be waiting awhile to get better price/performance than you can find out of a GTX 470 at the moment.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

AMD has the upper-hand so nVidia needs to play defensively here, if there is going to be a GTX475, nVidia is probably just keeping it quiet to let AMD make the first move.

We can make a pretty good guess as to how well a GTX475 would perform, what we're waiting for is what exactly it would compete against and where its pricing should be.

 

[3DVagabond]

AMD has the upper-hand so nVidia needs to play defensively here, if there is going to be a GTX475, nVidia is probably just keeping it quiet to let AMD make the first move.

We can make a pretty good guess as to how well a GTX475 would perform, what we're waiting for is what exactly it would compete against and where its pricing should be.

This seems to be what nVidia's been doing this whole generation. Hasn't been working out too well IMO.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

This seems to be what nVidia's been doing this whole generation. Hasn't been working out too well IMO.

They've always been behind with Fermi, there was obviously something fundamentally wrong with the design, its not like they're choosing their strategy here, its not like they can suddenly change and be offensive and aggressive with releases. They don't have very strong cards so they have to play them in a fashion where they lose less to the pot if AMD has another winning hand with the 6000 series.

 

[Pantalaimon]

my biggest complaint about nvidia is their shady marketing practices and chumps like ******* and his buddy rollo spreading endless amounts of fud.

I have the same sentiment. An NVIDIA card must be dirt cheap compared its ATI counter part before I consider buying it for this very reason.

 

[lopri]

I know there are excellent deals around but I have ruled out 470/480 because I am very sensitive to heat. (having 2~3 systems in a small office does that to you) 1GB 460 is much more attractive to me and only reason that stayed me from pulling the trigger has been the rumored full GF104. Currently I am getting by with a GT240 and I am incredibly satisfied with this little wonder that doesn't require an external power cable. ($30 after MIR = deal of the year for me)

So it looks like 1GB GTX 460 is the way to Fermi for me? At this point the consensus seems to be that the full 384 SP GF104 will not be proportionally priced (compared to existing 460s) even if it's released in the near future. What is the best deal on 1GB GTX 460 currently?

 

[SlowSpyder]

OP, they are in aisle 5, next to the 512 core GF100's.

 

[tigersty1e]

There has no been no "rumor" gtx 475.

Only people on forums have been saying it because the 200 series had a 275, 285 derivative. If there were rumors of a 475, shady rumor websites would've posted stories about it to get hits.