Nvidia GeForce 9600 available before launch!

Tomorrow (21st Feb) Nvidia will be announcing its first GeForce 9 series graphics chip, the GeForce 9600 GT (G64), aimed at the lower to mid range of the GPU market. We will see an increase in memory bus width (256 bit) and performance increases of over 40% have been predicted by sources at graphics card makers.

The new GPU will introduce Dual-Streaming Decode technology allowing two high-definition image decoding processes to be performed simultaneously and providing picture-in-picture functionality. Here’s a fuller list of specifications:

• Stream Processors: 64
• Core Clock: 650MHz
• Shader Clock: 1625MHz
• Memory Clock: 900MHz
• Memory: 512MB / 256-bit GDDR3
• Power Connector: 6-pin
• Max Board Power: 95W
• Thermal: Single Slot Fansink
• Outputs: 2x DL-DVI, HDTV-out

These figures show that there are modest improvements over cards in the 8600/8800 series but not the 40% mooted in some quarters. Perhaps on the official launch day further information will be made available that will qualify this as an ‘upgrade’. Many users will be relieved that the latest 8-pin power supplies is not necessary as the GeForce 960 GT can still use the older 6-pin variety.

Some card manufacturers may delay shipments of GeForce 9600 products by 2 to 3 weeks following the discovery of a bug in the earlier chips’ power management systems. Nvidia has corrected the issue but some product redesign may be necessary.

One European store is already selling cards containing the chip at a price of €158.27 for a card with a HDMI port, stock frequencies – 650, 1625 and 1800 MHz for the GPU, 64 stream processors and memory respectively as well as a dual-slot cooler. Take 2, a South African company is also selling Chaintech’s GeForce 9600 GT on their web site priced at US$275.

The 9600 GT is manufactured by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) and will be priced at around US$169-189, with GeForce 8600 GTS pricing expected to be adjusted to the US$139-149 range.

Tags: acceleration, geforce-9600-gt, gpus, graphics, graphics-acceleration, graphics-cards, graphics-chips, graphics-processors, nvidia,