Nvidia Corp. is reportedly designing a new version of its dual-chip GeForce GTX 295 graphics card that features only one print circuit board (PCB). While redesigning a flagship offering with short life-cycle is a questionable tactics, the new PCB may be used not only for the current high-end offering but for future dual-chip products as well.

Currently Nvidia GeForce GTX 295 graphics card is based on two graphics processing units (GPUs) with 448-bit memory bus located on individual PCBs. This transforms into less complex print circuit boards, but the fact that there are two of them makes the solution rather expensive to make.

In order to make the GeForce GTX 295 less expensive, Nvidia is reportedly designing a new version of the product with two GPUs with 448-bit memory buses located on a single print circuit board. Potentially, such graphics card should be cheaper to manufacture, but the complexity of a PCB with two 448-bit buses and complex power supply circuitry should be much higher than that of ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2 graphics card that carries two chips with 256-bit memory buses.

According to a news-story from Expreview web-site, the new GeForce GTX 295 will retain its clock-speeds, 6-pin + 8-pin power connectors, 266.7mm length and so on.

In case the information that Nvidia is developing a new version of its premium-class graphics card is correct, then it may mean that the dual-chip flagship offering will have a rather long life. However, if the information is not accurate, then the new P658 PCB may be designed for future graphics processors by Nvidia are scheduled to emerge within several months from now and which will power Nvidia’s new dual-chip flagship graphics board.

Nvidia did not comment on the news-story.

Tags: Nvidia, Geforce, G200b, 55nm