bit-tech.net

Nvidia to launch GeForce 9 in February

Published on 30th November 2007 by Tim Smalley

Nvidia's successful GeForce 8800-series products might be replaced by the GeForce 9-series as early as February.

Anonymous sources inside Tawianese graphics card manufacturers, cited by a report on Digitimes, suggest that Nvidia plans to launch the first cards in its GeForce 9-series as early as February.

The product's specifications are not known at this early stage, and in fact probably aren't finalised just yet. However, the chip is codenamed D9E and will utilise TSMC's 65nm manufacturing process, just like the GeForce 8800 GT's G92 graphics chip.

Apparently, the cards will all support Microsoft's DirectX 10.1 API and thus Shader Model 4.1 - we covered many of DirectX 10.1's features in our Radeon HD 3870 review which we published this morning.

D9E will cater just for enthusiasts and those looking for more cost-effective solutions will have to wait for the D9P-based products that are rumoured to arrive next June. D9P will apparently be based on a 55nm process node but again, specifics are thin and light right now.

Regardless, if you're really looking for good value for money in the graphics card market right now, there's no reason to look much beyond Nvidia's GeForce 8800 GT, or AMD's ATI Radeon HD 3870. Both are great products in their own right, with the 8800 GT taking the lead in the performance stakes, while the Radeon has price on its side right now.

As we get closer to launch, I'm sure more information will become available - we'll let you know more as and when we do. For now, discuss the news in the forums.

25 Comments

Discuss in the forums Reply

Firehed 30th November 2007, 17:17

Can't wait to pick up a nVidia 9800Pro ;)

GoodBytes 30th November 2007, 17:38

I'll wait for the 9800 GT with 512MB of RAM, for 250$

rhuitron 30th November 2007, 17:39

Holy Freagin Ass Crackers!

So soon????!!!

Well, I am excited still. And really want to see it.

Thanks for the info Guys! ;)

Icy EyeG 30th November 2007, 17:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Firehed
Can't wait to pick up a nVidia 9800Pro ;)

DarkLord7854 30th November 2007, 17:47

Ah.. and there goes me about to drop an 8800GT in my rig.. Guess I'll be waiting sigh.

C-Sniper 30th November 2007, 17:49

Been waiting for these... i have a 7900GS and an FX5950 Ultra in my 2 PCs.
Gonna put the 9800 in place of the 7900GS and the 7900GS in place of the 5950U (DX 8 FTW!!!)
and the 5950 will probably go somehwere but im not sure.
but finally we have a timeline on when they will be out.

2JSC 30th November 2007, 19:02

As fast as what nVidia releases new cards, I'd much rather have an HD3870 now... and then buy another one or two or three and still be quite satisfied.

DXR_13KE 30th November 2007, 19:28

i was expecting them this Christmas.... ow well, i thing i will get a 8800GT for my next rig.

Redbeaver 30th November 2007, 19:55

dang... ihave a pair of 7900GT doing nothing and currently running GTS640MB lol....

first i have to contemplate swapping the GTS with GT... now i have to worry bout geforce 9 series??? :p damn u VGA maker!!

/sarcasm_off

knuck 30th November 2007, 20:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by C-Sniper
Been waiting for these... i have a 7900GS and an FX5950 Ultra in my 2 PCs.
Gonna put the 9800 in place of the 7900GS and the 7900GS in place of the 5950U (DX 8 FTW!!!)
and the 5950 will probably go somehwere but im not sure.
but finally we have a timeline on when they will be out.

FX's were dx9 ;)

adamc 30th November 2007, 22:01

damn.... just bought an 8800GT... well at least 'll be up-to-date for two months :P

Gunsmith 30th November 2007, 22:44

i think i'll be hanging onto my gtx's a bit longer unless they utterly dick on them

Anakha 1st December 2007, 03:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghys
Quote:
Originally Posted by C-Sniper
Gonna put the 9800 in place of the 7900GS and the 7900GS in place of the 5950U (DX 8 FTW!!!)
and the 5950 will probably go somehwere but im not sure.
but finally we have a timeline on when they will be out.

FX's were dx9 ;)

Barely. ;)

Still, that 5950 would work great in a HTPC. :)

Woodstock 1st December 2007, 03:18

i could see me getting an evga gpu in january, and a nice stepup

outlawaol 2nd December 2007, 08:03

I hate this literal jump to new hardware every few months. Games are being pumped out at a crappy speed ( I say that because a lot of DX10 games suck). Come on developers, get with the program. Having "the" best graphics dosnt mean a hill a beans if the story aint worth two cents. Look at the HL series, excellent story is key. Looks is second.

I think the industry is hell bent on hardware development atm, since everyone and there brother can create great looking games with no actual decent story.

I honestly think its becoming hit or miss with games. Sad really...

*sigh*

(RFFN)-SqUeD 2nd December 2007, 13:34

D*mn got my seld a nice 8800gtx SLI setup a half year ago..... now i know what to do in february!!! get my self a 9800GTX SLI :-?
i'm curiuos what the power of those graka's are???

Haven't played dx10 games i'm (still) an xp kinda guy!!!!!

wuyanxu 2nd December 2007, 20:00

whohoo. my dream card, here i come!

but i'd probably wait for a 9800GT to spend some sensible money instead of like last time.

GoodBytes 2nd December 2007, 20:07

I expect to see the Geforce 9800 be like when the Geforce 7800 was released.
An (to the eye of the consumer) and overclocked Geforce 6800 with 4 new features.

From a source I cannot say, I know what will be new in DX10.1
In DX10.1 it will make all the optional things in DX10.0 be mandatory, the Geforce 8800 does support this.
Then it has independent blend modes per MRT, cubemap arrays and per-sample shading.
Technically, independent blend modes per MRT and cubemap arrays can be achieved with the GeF-8800, but at reduce performance, the last think cannot be achieved.
I can't say more I'm afraid, I might get some people in trouble :(

DeXtmL 3rd December 2007, 10:14

It's said that D9E would employ over 2TFlops performance and force ATI to release their R700 (and 3870x2 falls).
If this is true, we gonna have a real next-gen visual experience! especially on Crysis 2!

Cheers.

Zurechial 3rd December 2007, 10:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoodBytes
I expect to see the Geforce 9800 be like when the Geforce 7800 was released.
An (to the eye of the consumer) and overclocked Geforce 6800 with 4 new features.

From a source I cannot say, I know what will be new in DX10.1
In DX10.1 it will make all the optional things in DX10.0 be mandatory, the Geforce 8800 does support this.
Then it has independent blend modes per MRT, cubemap arrays and per-sample shading.
Technically, independent blend modes per MRT and cubemap arrays can be achieved with the GeF-8800, but at reduce performance, the last think cannot be achieved.
I can't say more I'm afraid, I might get some people in trouble :(

:|

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2007/11/30/rv670_amd_ati_radeon_hd_3870/8

GoodBytes 3rd December 2007, 14:38

oh well... well I can tell that that the Geforce 88000 GT can do it at reduce performance with driver tweaks :)

SPQQKY 3rd December 2007, 15:19

Don't get your panties in a bunch just yet.......

Quote:

Anonymous sources inside Tawianese graphics card manufacturers, cited by a report on Digitimes, suggest that Nvidia plans to launch the first cards in its GeForce 9-series as early as February.

....these are, at this point, just rumors. Not to mention that if these are nVidia's actual plans, there is always the possibility (and history can support this) that the actual release can be pushed off for another month or much more.
The sad part is I see several here chomping at the bit to get these next gen cards, those who have already spent a bundle on the 8xxx series without even being able to really use them.

Bauul 3rd December 2007, 15:56

Personally I've held off buying a 8xxx because I knew that sooner rather than later the 9xxx series would be released. nVidia pushed out the 8xxx series because they needed a DX10 compatible card asap. Whilst I doubt the 9xxx series will be a huge leap over the 8xxxs, more realistically they'll be the cards that the 8xxxs ought to have been. And even if they're not, their presence will force down 8xxxs card prices, and an even cheaper 8800GT is good news for everyone.

LeMaltor 3rd December 2007, 16:42

im waiting for 10xxx and Dx11!

tornadolphin 4th December 2007, 21:06

Don't think they'd be much point picking up a GeForce 9 card. Not for a good six months I reckon. Hopefully this will drive the prices down of the more expensive GeForce 8800s though.