X-bit labs

Two for One: Nvidia's Dual-Chip GeForce 7950 GX2 Reviewed (page 31)

Category: Video

by Alexey Stepin , Anton Shilov

[ 06/09/2006 | 06:01 PM ]

Summary

Still, compared with the GeForce 7900 GX2, which can hardly be used (and is not even available) outside the ready quad SLI systems, the new GeForce 7950 GX2 is a huge step forward. The new Nvidia graphics accelerator is quite compact in size to fit into a standard PC case, boasts unique performance for a single graphics card and supports FSAA modes that have always been the privilege of expensive SLI and CrossFire systems. Moreover, it has quite a bit of potential to be used within a quad SLI platform later on and thus to ensure an even higher level of performance.

The solution is not free from a few drawbacks, but it is typical of any new technology. So we hope that Nvidia will eventually eliminate the compatibility issues and the user will get the best high-end graphics accelerator. Moreover, the launch of GeForce 7950 GX2 may stimulate ATI to release something of the kind, and the end-user will definitely benefit from the competition in this market segment.

Highs:

• Unprecedented performance in most applications;
• Excellent speed in OpenGL applications;
• Well-balanced architecture (48 pixel processors, 48 TMUs and 32 ROPs);
• Reserves for the future: the applications have 512MB of memory at their disposal;
• Transparent textures anti-aliasing;
• Hardware H.264 and other HD formats decoding;
• Low level of noise;
• Good overclocking potential;
• Dual-link DVI support.

Lows:

• Depends on Nvidia SLI support in the games and drivers;
• Doesn’t support FSAA and HDR (FP16) at the same time;
• Limited compatibility with contemporary mainboards;
• Inconvenient multi-monitor support implementation;
• High power consumption.