The First Review of 55nm GeForce GTX260
◆ Conclusion: reduced production cost, and enhanced overclocking ability
The code name of 55nm GeForce GTX260 has changed from G200-103-A2 (65nm) to G200-103-B2. “B” means the latest 55nm processing. But GPUZ still shows B1 and 65nm processing, which is wrong.
Because of improvement in processing, 55nm GeForce GTX260 features better overclocking ability. Its core clock is improved by more than 25%, which counts most for high-end players.
With re-designed PCB and shrinked cooler, so the card doesn’t provide lower power consumption and temperature as we expected. Instead, the power consumption (loaded) and temperature show a bit increase compared with GTX260-65nm. But in all benchmarks, 55nm GeForce GTX260 works steadily.
As to 3D performance, 55nm GeForce GTX260 doesn’t bring us any surprise. In most benchmarks, it outperformss Radeon HD4870 1GB. Featuring CUDA and PhysX, GTX 260 offers great performance price benefit.
Based on new processing, GTX260 comes to us in a big way. Leading AICs including Leadtek, Inno3D, Galaxy, Zotac and XFX still have a lot of 65nm GTX260 in stock. Inno3D is the first one to launch 55nm GTX260. Because of production cost’s reduction, its price is more likely to reduce greatly.
With enhanced overclocking ability, 55nm GTX260 is worthy of our attention, and it’s also a good stimulation to market. The users can get better cards at lower prices, which sounds great to consumers.
December 27th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
Now they even cut back on the cooler! If the price won’t be a lot lower than the old version this will be a pointless card
December 28th, 2008 at 3:16 am
It’s nvidia. What do you expect?
December 28th, 2008 at 4:18 am
Nvidia are starting to fall apart. This card is pointless and they have made no improvements at all. They needed to cut back on spending due to the success that ATi have been having. I’m sure ATi’s new chips will be top qualitiy.
December 28th, 2008 at 4:38 am
“As expected, the power consumption of GTX260-55nm is a little lower than old version of GTX260 under standby mode. but when loaded, the power consumption of 55nm GTX260 is higher than that of GTX260-65nm. Power consumption of the whole card is up to 275W, which is 10W higher than old version. We can’t explain this for now. Maybe it’s because of different PCB design, but this is not a convincible reason indeed.”
just guessing btw.
maybe smaller cooler hotter temps are the cause (?) add the higher clocks to the mix and i think you might just grasp some trueth out of it
December 28th, 2008 at 10:22 am
i like that nvidia is trying to cut production costs of their cards, but they could at least save it for cards that are actually new. it’ll be good to see the gtx295.
December 28th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Nvidia always pack the old tech with new packing and sell for new price, and the problem with the notebook GPU problem.
thanks ATI to bring the vga price down. Nvidia you sell over price on your GPU products. can’t imagine the price when the GTX280 and GTX260 first released!
December 29th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
well said, remember the price-fixing legal case last when NVidia and ATI cards used to cost the same in 2005-2006….
again, what’s the point of moving to expensive 55nm when you’re saving peanuts on a smaller cooler. the same cooler would have provided more value. the cooler my card is, the longer it’ll last before it gets fried. btw, intel also uses smaller coolers on newer processors (Nehalem and so on). you get a larger cooler on the early Core 2 and Pentium D.
December 29th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
maybe NVidia become the most important GPGPU company in the future. JUST THIS.
Left the games for ATI
January 1st, 2009 at 5:27 am
Who ever said nvidia is worthless and isnt making improvements is totaly wrong. Jan. 8 theyre comin out with gtx 295 that kicks 4870×2 ass
January 2nd, 2009 at 9:15 am
I would say the 260-55mm chips could be what is left over from the cherry picking of the 260-55mm chips for low heat to put into the gtx 295, price wise ,I don’t think nvidia cares at this point and the mission is to get good reviews with the new flagship gtx 295. still fail people were waiting for 1 or 2 of these cards.
January 4th, 2009 at 2:41 am
It’s funny though…look how long it took for nvidia to come out the something that could own the r770 core cards by ATI. To be honest it is a shame to see them like this, if the card were to have insane oc’ing abilities with idk say GDDR5 and stuff…I’d think twice, but they stuck GDDR3 on it…like someone else said, they are taking old tech and repackaging it. Just wait for the r870…:) and for the record I have a GTX 280 and an ATI 4870, so I’m just looking at the facts here.
January 4th, 2009 at 2:45 am
sry 4 the double post, just wanted to add that I like my 4870 the most
!!! but I play my GTX 280 the most b/c it’s in a silverstone mATX case 4 lan parties, ps, ATI drivers are bad lol and nvidia drivers are amazing.