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Recently Nvidia launched its new top-end graphics cards, GeForce GTX 480 and 470, which represent the Fermi architecture. We may argue about how successful these DirectX 11 compatibles are or will be because the highest complexity of the GF100 chip results in a low chip yield which, coupled with the sophisticated PCB design, makes these products quite expensive to manufacture. But today we want to put this dispute aside to talk about more affordable solutions. After all, it is inexpensive models, like Radeon HD 4850, that constitute the bulk of sales of discrete gaming cards. Nvidia’s current products of this kind are all based on outdated technologies and do not support DirectX 10.1, let alone DirectX 11, whereas its technically more advanced entry-level GPUs based on 40nm technology are too slow in today’s games.


There are several ways out of such predicaments. First, an existing inexpensive GPU design can be polished off to increase the clock rates and improve performance. Second, samples of a flagship GPU chip can be used that did not pass the quality tests at the factory and were found unable to work in maximum configuration. The first approach is exemplified by the RV770 which, after some modification, was transformed into the highly successful RV790, the heart of one of the best models in the Radeon HD 4800 series. Nvidia could not choose that solution, though. The 40nm GT215 cannot be pumped up to the desired level of performance and the 55nm G200b is too old. Neither of these cores supports DirectX 11 whereas AMD offers a full range of DirectX 11 compatibles, which is an important factor considering that Microsoft Windows 7 has become the main OS for a modern gaming platform.

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/vid...e-gtx-465.html

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