NVIDIA GeForce 6800 Ultra: The Next Step Forward
by Derek Wilson on April 14, 2004 8:42 AM EST- Posted in
- GPUs
Power Requirements
Current generation graphics cards are near the limit for how much current they are allowed to pull from one connection. So, of course, the solution is to add a second power connection to the card. That's right, the GeForce 6800 Ultra requires two independent connections to the power supply. The lines could probably be connected to a fan with no problem, but each line should really be free of any other connection.
Of course, this is a bit of an inconvenience for people who (like the writer of this article) have 4 or more drives connected to their PCs. Power connections are a limited resource in PCs, and this certainly doesn't help. Of course, it might just be worth it. We'll only make you wait a little longer to find out.
The card doesn't necessarily max out both lines (and we are looking into measuring the amperage the cards draw), but, NVIDIA indicated (in the reviewers guide with which we were supplied) that we should use a 480W power supply in conjunction with the 6800 Ultra.
There are a couple factors at work here. First, obviously, the card needs a good amount of power. Second, power supplies generally partition the power they deliver. If you look on the side of a power supply, you'll see a list of voltage rails and amperages. The wattage ratings on a power supply usually indicate (for marketing purposes) the maximum wattage they could supply if the maximum current allowed was drawn on each line. It is not possible to draw all 350 watts of a 350 watt power supply across one connection (or even one rail). NVIDIA indicated that their card needs a stable 12 volt rail, but that generally power supplies offer a large portion of their 12 volt amperage to the motherboard (since the motherboard draws the most power in the system on all rails).
Many people have been worried about heat generated by a card that requires two power connections. Just to be clear, we aren't drawing twice the power because we have twice the connection, nor are we generating twice as much heat. It's a larger chip, it draws more power, but it won't be clocked as high (with the 6800 Ultra version coming in at 400MHz as opposed to the 5950's 475MHz).
Customers who end up buying this card will most likely need to upgrade their power supply as well. Obviously this isn't an optimal solution, and it will turn some people off. But, to those who like the performance numbers, it may be worth the investment. And there are obviously rumors circulating the net about ATI's next generation solution as well, but we will have to wait and see how they tackle the power problem in a few weeks.
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Reliant - Wednesday, April 14, 2004 - link
Any ideas how the Non Ultra version will perform?segagenesis - Wednesday, April 14, 2004 - link
I cant agree with #45 more. People rush to judgement when its no secret that ATI will be coming out with thier goods very soon also. "Wow look this card is really fast!!! I cant believe it!" well this sounds like almost every other graphics card release from ATI or nVidia in the past. To me nVidia had better have come out with something good after ther lackluster Geforce FX 5800 wasnt anything terribly special. I used to like nVidia alot (heh my ti4600 still runs fine) but when it comes to looking for a new card, I'll pick whichever one is faster *and* has the features I want. If it wasnt for such turnoffs like the 2-slot design and now even 2 power connections required Im not sure I am ready to spend $500 just yet...Sorry if im obtuse but if ATI comes out with a part thats either equal (note the key term there) in performance or maybe even slightly slower... I'd go for ATI and thier better IQ that the Radeon 9700 series so impressed me on and made me wish for more out of my ti4600. That and a single slot/single power type design would probably put me in thier boat.
Fanboy ATI opinion? I've owned nVidia from the Riva TNT to the ti4600 and many in-between.
Lonyo - Wednesday, April 14, 2004 - link
#42, the jump from the Ti4600 to the 9700Pro wasn't good for you? I woul dhave thought finally playable AA/AF was quite a jump.Personally, it seems less of a jump than the 4600 -> 9700.
And I will reserve judgement on how much of an accomplishment nVidia have made until I see what ATi release.
If it's of similar power, but maybe has 1 molex, or is a single slot solution, they will have accomplished more.
It's not just raw performance, we'll have to see how it all stacks up, and how long it takes to release the things!
ChronoReverse - Wednesday, April 14, 2004 - link
Some site tested the 6800U on a 350W supply and it worked just fine.Myself, I think my Enermax 350W with its enhanced 12V rail will take it just fine as well.
Regs - Wednesday, April 14, 2004 - link
Yeah, Nvidia did make one hell of an accomplishment. They just earned a lot of respect back from both fan clubs. You have to respect the development and research that went into this card and the end result turns out to be just as we anticipated if not more.I really don't know how anybody could pick a "club" when seeing hardware like this perform so well.
Im hoping to see the same results from ATI.
Just too bad they are some costly pieces of hardware ;)
araczynski - Wednesday, April 14, 2004 - link
nice to FINALLY see a universally quantifiable performance increase from one generation to the next.but the important thing is how it competes with the x800 from ati, not against older cards.
as for the power supply, i think the hardcore crowd that these are geared at already have more then enough power, and quite frankly i would be suprised if these woudln't work fine on a solid 350W from a reputable source (i.e. not your 350W ps for $10 from some 'special' sale).
They're being conservative knowing that many of the people have crappy power supplies and don't know better.
klah - Wednesday, April 14, 2004 - link
"Anyone know when it ships to retail stores?"http://www.eetimes.com/semi/news/showArticle.jhtml...
"GeForce 6800 Ultra and GeForce 6800 models, are currently shipping to add-in-card partners, OEMs, system builders and game developers. Retail graphics boards based on the GeForce 6800 models are scheduled for release in the next 45 days."
Jeff7181 - Wednesday, April 14, 2004 - link
This has me a bit curious... maybe I didn't read close enough... but is this the 6800 or the 6800 Ultra?saechaka - Wednesday, April 14, 2004 - link
wow impressive. i really want one. wonder if it will run ok with my 380w powersupplyCygni - Wednesday, April 14, 2004 - link
Personally, im very impressed, and i havent had an Nvidia product in my main gaming rig since my Geforce256. The card may be huge, power hungry, hot, and loud (maybe), but that is some SERIOUS performance.How long has it been since Nvidia has had a top end card that DOUBLED the performance of the last top end card? Pretty awesome, I think. I dont have the money to pick one up, but hopefully the mid/low end gets some love from both ATI and Nvidia as well. The 9200/9600/5200/5600 dont really appeal to me... not enough of a performance leap over a $20 8500!