Kepler news and discussion

[bardacuda]

Well only if you were to buy the 4GB versions, but yeah. I guess the single 690 would consume a little less power, but it would also deliver less performance so I don't really see the point of this card at this price, unless you are low on PCI-E slots or something.

660ti and 670 confirmed?

http://wccftech.com/nvidia-geforce-gtx-670-geforce-gtx-660ti-final-specifications-leaked-reference-pcb-gtx-670-unveiled/

http://www.maximum-tech.net/nvidia-geforce-gtx-670-release-date-confirmed-12397/

 

[Rockdpm]

Thanks for updating me on that. I guess once the NDA lifts we will know more official stuff

 

[afxwinter]

The 690 will still have 4GB of VRAM. I can't justify it being worth $999 though. I'm purchasing either two GTX 680s or the GTX 690. I've never been in favor of a dual-GPU card either way though. The only way i would even consider the 690 is if it were in the $750-800 price range. Either way I have to wait (I will not purchase another reference cooled GPU again) so I will entertain the option of a GTX 690 pending benchmarks, pricing and availability... I just don't see it happening though.

I was considering buying a reference cooled CPU myself, what are the downsides/disadvantages of going that route?

 

[Haserath]

That 690 looks very well designed. It most likely has some of the best binned 680 chips in it. Lots of marketing buzzwords in there too. lol

$1000 might be worth it if it can handle the heat of two overclocked GK104 chips without being a leaf blower.

 

[toneekay]

Wow...

690 = GG

 

[17seconds]

I'm counting on the price to come down once the 7990 is released.

 

[Rockdpm]

Yea if it doesn't then looks like history has repeat its self once again

 

[17seconds]

It ought to be a good overclocker with the 10 phase PWM, higher binned chips, extra power overhead, and the natural overclocking ability that comes with the 28 nm process.

 

[17seconds]

Quote from the HardOCP preview:

"We have had some hands on time with the new GeForce GTX 690 and we have to say it is perfect, inside and out."
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2012/04/28/geforce_gtx_690_perfection_inside_out

 

[Rockdpm]

yep, i gotta say. its a impressive card. I just don't believe i am that computer to computer hardware geek geek awesomeness yet to spend that amount. Plus if i had the money, i'd buy it. I try to upgrade stuff when i get the money to

 

[Rockdpm]

as in good weak, or bad weak?

 

[Ironwilly]

I was considering buying a reference cooled CPU myself, what are the downsides/disadvantages of going that route?

Advantages:
Faster clock speeds out of the box
Enhanced VRM (On some models)
Higher quality RAM (On some models)
Cooler and quieter operation
More overclockable
Better looking designs (Typically)
Many come with backplates - This CAN (not always) improve heat dispersion and reduces "sagging"

Disadvantages:
A little pricier
You have to wait for retailers to receive stock


The main reason I prefer the non-reference cards is the cooling and quieter fans. I like to overclock my GPU's about 20%, or so, higher than what they ship with, so it's nice to have improved overclocking, but that is really secondary to the noise for me. I typically purchase new video cards every 2 years and spend quite a bit of money on them. After years of getting cards the week or month they came out, I've learned that a little patience goes a long way towards getting the best value. Not every non-reference card is a winner. I'm using Gigabyte cards at the moment, they use a vapor chamber in their heatsink and have 3 fans... simply awesome design. With the GTX 680s, I'm looking at the Gigabyte cards again or the Zotac. With the add-on cards I use, I don't have room for two of the ASUS 3-slot card designs. The ASUS cards are pretty amazing though if you're going with a single card.

In the end, just find what works best for you. If you don't want to spend 10-20% more money for a non-reference card, the factory specs are very powerful and well worth the money. If you want to tweak the GPU or if noise/heat is an issue... it's worth the extra money to get what you need, especially when you get in the upper-tier of GPU's.

 

[Rockdpm]

Yep 100% agree

 

[Rockdpm]

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-690-gk104,3188-2.html

 

[Ironwilly]

for those who prefer their own setting or likes to try variety of graphic mod (for games that support it such as crysis) this geforce experience thing might not picked their interest but for people that want everything done automatically for them or for those who have trouble to set the game for best experience this tool should assist them. sounds good but we have to see how the real implementation working out before pass the judgement 😛

nvidia will beta test this tool in june and if the beta are open to the public i will test it myself

For gamers and enthusiasts, Geforce Experience will have a little less DIRECT value. However, what it does mean for us is that gaming will be easier for the less avid computer users out there. Now, I know I'm taking the less than popular stance of supporting casual gamers, whom I'm sure we've all made fun in some fashion, but I really feel like anything that makes PC gaming easier to get involved in, en masse, benefits us all.

Right now, developers often have a very dim view of PC gamers. Skyrim is a prime example of developers not fully supporting current PC trends on a MAJOR title, though by far not the only one. As a whole, PC gaming has infinite numbers of configurations to support, has higher levels of piracy than any other platform, and features the most vocal gamers around when it comes to things we aren't happy with. I'm not condemning PC gaming for this, quite the opposite in fact. I protested the lack of news/development of HL3, I have played games without buying them, and I dislike the way PC gaming is headed in general. I don't want to play on a console, to me the gaming experience just cannot compare. So, when I see Nvidia spending all this research and development on technology such as Geforce Experience, it gives me a little hope that we'll see a revival of the only true gaming platform there is, in my opinion.

I, too, will reserve judgment on Geforce Experience until I see it, and in all honesty I don't expect it to have much value for my gaming experience (Perhaps it will surprise me). But providing it does what it is supposed to, I will be recommending it to anyone thinking about getting into PC gaming (I work as a tech for a PC retailer). That is why I think it's brilliant and that is what I'm excited about!

 

[mactronix]

I really am on the fence with this Geforce experience thing. Mainly because I don't know exactly how its going to work yet.
I applaud the idea I just don't see technically how it can work ?
The whole gaming experience is so totally subjective that the idea that they can have some sort of data pool of settings on-line baffles me.

However if it even opens the door a crack to non tweakers as to what the possibilities are then it cant be a bad thing in my book.

Mactronix

 

[17seconds]

I think GeForce Experience optimal settings will be a good starting place. Then we can tweak the settings for quality or performance from there. I personally usually tend to favor higher settings and slightly lower FPS than most. So I would likely tweak up the visuals from those optimal settings.

 

[Rockdpm]

Yea but some.... Shouldn't expect to take a 9800GT and use Gefore Experience and turn it into a 60FPS ultra on bf3/metro 2033/ etc etc. Just like no matter what your still gonna have to have the hardware to perform on the level the game requires. Because VRAM just doesn't majically fall out of cyberworld for you to rent when you needit

 

[Ironwilly]

They have been compiling data for years on optimal settings for games. It's not something that is going to be required, it's definitely software side so you don't even need to install it. Hardware profiles should definitely help many people wade through the sometimes cryptic settings that can have more drastic effects on gaming. Time will only tell how conservative these settings will be.

The other thing I'm wondering is if games will need to be pre-programmed with information to make optimal use of the software. As most of us know, the settings in Nvidia control panel are often the best place to make adjustments, but sometimes aren't fully supported by a title. Support will be something to keep an eye on!

 

[Rockdpm]

Oooooo, a DATA Base?, must have been the cloud thing they were talking about

 

[JAYDEEJOHN]

If yields are better with the 680, and are half the size of big K, and big K has twice the ram, a 512 bit bus, and a 690 costs 1 grand....

 

[Maxmatlock13]

found a 690 benchmark here, it seems to be from nvidia so i dont know how well i trust it. but its a first.


http://thetecherra.com/2012/04/28/n...e-images-and-benchmarks-inside/#disqus_thread

here's the pics

 

[Rockdpm]

So any new news?

 

[Firewood B B]

This..

http://videocardz.com/32519/nvidia-sends-geforce-gtx-690-for-reviews-in-a-wooden-box

http://videocardz.com/32531/first-pictures-of-geforce-gtx-690-on-the-loose

 

[Maxmatlock13]

i guessed it!!!! i said the wooden box thing a few days ago! im so proud of myself ahhahahhahahahha