NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT PCI Express Review @ Beyond 3D

No_Style · Aug 24, 2004, 04:54 AM

NVIDIA employed a markedly different strategy for PCI Express than their primary rivals, ATI. Whilst ATI were redeveloping numerous chips to include a native PCI Express interface, NVIDIA clearly decided that it was more important they transition their to their new NV4x architecture, and opted not to initially design native PCI Express chips (until the recently announced GeForce 6600), but instead design a bridge chip in order to allow an AGP graphics chip to operate on a PCI Express bus, or even vice versa.

NVIDIA’s “HSI” (High Speed Interconnect) PCI Express / AGP bridge solution was put under the spotlight, with questions over performance, potential cost and even compatibility thrown up. While some of these concerns appeared to be a bit of a stretch, at least as far as end users are concerned, HSI based solutions appeared not to hit favour with OEM’s, with nigh on the entirety of Tier-1 OEM PCI Express transition slots going to ATI. However, one area that the HSI solution does have an advantage is in flexibility, and none more so in the solution that turned up with GeForce 6800.

In the run-up to Intel’s PCI Express, not long after the GeForce 6800 launch, NVIDIA started showing 6800 boards with a PCI Express interface, purportedly based not on the NV40 chip, but “NV45”. The layout of the board appeared to suggest that this was an entirely new chip as the board didn’t appear to feature the HSI chip, which was quite evident on their previously announced “PCX” bridged PCI Express boards - this appeared to be somewhat of a surprise as this was so soon after the NV40 launch. It wasn’t until boards made their way into reviewers hands that the truth was uncovered – upon removing the heatsink it was evident that this wasn’t a significantly different chip from NV40, but in fact, the HSI chip was still in use, just packaged on directly with the graphics chip.
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Read More/Source: Beyond 3D

nForcer · Aug 24, 2004, 05:41 AM

If ONLY one could BUY one of these...
I'd rip out this 5750 so fast.....oh so fast...

@/2ct!< · Aug 24, 2004, 06:25 AM

I still wonder why nvidia hasnt released their full PCIe wave yet... I doubt they would have any trouble selling pcie 6800s and nforce 4 mobos, sigh

phishdude · Aug 24, 2004, 03:22 PM

Gimme 6600gt Nowww!!

Aug 24, 2004, 04:54 AM	#1
No_Style Styleless Wonder Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Posts: 6,034 Rep Power: 0	NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT PCI Express Review @ Beyond 3D NVIDIA employed a markedly different strategy for PCI Express than their primary rivals, ATI. Whilst ATI were redeveloping numerous chips to include a native PCI Express interface, NVIDIA clearly decided that it was more important they transition their to their new NV4x architecture, and opted not to initially design native PCI Express chips (until the recently announced GeForce 6600), but instead design a bridge chip in order to allow an AGP graphics chip to operate on a PCI Express bus, or even vice versa. NVIDIA’s “HSI” (High Speed Interconnect) PCI Express / AGP bridge solution was put under the spotlight, with questions over performance, potential cost and even compatibility thrown up. While some of these concerns appeared to be a bit of a stretch, at least as far as end users are concerned, HSI based solutions appeared not to hit favour with OEM’s, with nigh on the entirety of Tier-1 OEM PCI Express transition slots going to ATI. However, one area that the HSI solution does have an advantage is in flexibility, and none more so in the solution that turned up with GeForce 6800. In the run-up to Intel’s PCI Express, not long after the GeForce 6800 launch, NVIDIA started showing 6800 boards with a PCI Express interface, purportedly based not on the NV40 chip, but “NV45”. The layout of the board appeared to suggest that this was an entirely new chip as the board didn’t appear to feature the HSI chip, which was quite evident on their previously announced “PCX” bridged PCI Express boards - this appeared to be somewhat of a surprise as this was so soon after the NV40 launch. It wasn’t until boards made their way into reviewers hands that the truth was uncovered – upon removing the heatsink it was evident that this wasn’t a significantly different chip from NV40, but in fact, the HSI chip was still in use, just packaged on directly with the graphics chip. _______________ Read More/Source: Beyond 3D __________________ "The Best Style Is No Style" Specifications Here

Aug 24, 2004, 06:25 AM	#3
@/2ct!< HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Not Vegas, anymore :( Posts: 1,391 Rep Power: 0	I still wonder why nvidia hasnt released their full PCIe wave yet... I doubt they would have any trouble selling pcie 6800s and nforce 4 mobos, sigh __________________

Aug 24, 2004, 05:41 AM	#2
nForcer Twice the fun! Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,404 Rep Power: 0	If ONLY one could BUY one of these... I'd rip out this 5750 so fast.....oh so fast...

Aug 24, 2004, 03:22 PM	#4
phishdude DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 58 Rep Power: 0	Gimme 6600gt Nowww!!