GeForce 7800 GTX x3!

[SilentDeath]

they seem to be about the same size but don't quote me on that. ATI seem to be able to make smaller cards because of the lower amount of power circuity on the boards. wether this will be a problem with long term stability though is a different story.

Nope. Its becuase ATI utilise both sides of the pcb differently. Also may be becuase they use different number of layers, dunno about that though.

Ati have 4 mem chips on each side, nvidia stick them both on the same side - making it easyer to cool them all with one large heatink.

Ati also have the power regulation spread accross the pcb, with Vcore near the backplate on both sides, and Vdd at the front (cant remember where vddq and the others are).
Nvidia has to fit SLI connector in at the back and so moved all the power circuitry to the front of the card. Also as the card consumes a lot more power it needs a bit more space but not much.

Ati cards have no problem with power related stabilty either.


Cards should be getting bigger as they are cramming more onto them yet dont want to make pcbs with more layers. I expect atis crossfire cards to be a bit longer for the extra chip that needs to go on, which would take a bit of space..

[Rys]

All three of those GTXs have memory chips on both sides of the board, 4 per side.

[webbyman]

I think the XFX one is pretty

... ugly

i think they all looks fine the xfx one is a little too shiny in my veiw.

[acaurora]

You know, one thing I STILL don't understand is why do GPU manufacturers do (or take this long) to create coolers that *effectively* cool their GPUs and NOT recycle the air back into the case?! I know that with the X850s and nVidia's new Quadro coolers they exhaust air out to some extent, but come on. GPUs have been out for a LONG time, and ArcticCooling as well as other companies have made successful products that help cool the video card and exhaust that hot air OUT, the way it shoudl be, instead of back INTO the case. Maybe all this time the idiot engineers at nVidia and ATi put the connectors/bracket on the wrong end...and same with the power connectors o.0...

[Xenctuary]

... ugly

i think they all looks fine the xfx one is a little too shiny in my veiw.

It looks a lot nicer in real life. Not that you'd see a lot of it anywho.

Usually I'd be jealous right now, but I just ordered an XFX GeForce 7800GT, which I think is more than enough graphical power for me... yeah... it's no use, I'm still jealous...

[exAndrzej]

Interesting points

I know that some vendors have explored alternative ways of handling heat extraction - specifically heat pipes to get the energy released from the top of the card

Check out the cool (no pun intended !) cartoon on this page...

[Dougal]

Why don't the manufacturers just flip the card round in the first place? So the GPU is on the other side of the card?

[exAndrzej]

...why don't...

Good question...

...if only we had someone from AMD or Intel around to answer that !

I will see if I can find someone on a Saturday with 'the knowledge'