Why is G450 32M DDR chdaper than old G400 32M?

[coolnicklee]

Can anyone tell me why G450 32M DDR is cheaper than older G400 32M? Isn't g450 better than G400?

 

[Priit]

Read Anand's G450 Review. I understand that G400 has more expensive 128-bit memory interface vs. G450 64-bit. Practically G450 is cheaper version of G400.

 

[BurntKooshie]

Plus the die size of the G450 chip is smaller because its built on a .18 micron process - making for a much smaller chip, even after they added those goodies ondie.

Priit's right, and the reason why its less expensive to have a 64bit DDR v. a 128bit SDR is because they theoretically have the same bandwidth (in the real world, its not quite 2x the bandwidth, but that's ok), while having fewer wires, or what's known as "traces". Because 128 bits means 128 wires, they already have traces going everywhere on the board, and so having that many often means having to add another layer of PCB to the board (you can't see all the wires on the card, because some are actually inside the PCB, hidden away). Adding another layer gets expensive:

Take for instance, the cost of the KX 133 boards when they first came out to to the 750 boards for the athlon. The 750 boards needed 6 layers, while the KX 133 boards only needed 4.

 

[coolnicklee]

Thank you guys, that was helpful.

 

[WetWilly]

Matrox also integrated the TV-out chip onto the G450 chip core. Plus the G450 doesn't have the connectors the G400 has that allow you to use the Rainbow Runner G-series.

The one great thing about the G450 is that if you're not into 3D stuff, the OEM 16MB SDR DualHead G450 can be had for less than $80. That's an absolute bargain.

 

[BurntKooshie]

Oooooh! dual head for 80 bucks....with great 2d! I think that might be my next card! I didn't know they had those.... Thanks!

 

[WetWilly]

Those SDR OEM cards really are a great deal. The only caveat on the SDR (vs. DDR) cards is that they're another 20-30% slower doing 3D. And even then, the 16MB DDR cards can be had for ~$100. But if 3D isn't a major issue, they're an absolute bargain, especially with all the DualHead stuff including TV-out and DVDMax.