Despite of the fact that Microsoft’s next-generation graphics application programming interface (API) will be able to take advantage of unified shader processors, at least Nvidia Corp.’s first DirectX 10-capable chip will utilize more traditional dedicated pixel and vertex processors, according to some rumours.
Nvidia’s code-named G80 graphics processing unit (GPU) will incorporate 48 pixel shader processors and an unknown number of vertex shader processors, some unofficial sources said. The chip is still expected to support feature-set of DirectX 10 along with Shader Model 4.0, even though it will not take advantage of the unified shader processors that can compute both pixel and vertex shaders.
Microsoft Corp. pushes unified shader language for pixel and vertex shaders in its Xbox 360 game console ad well as graphics API of Windows Longhorn – Windows Graphics Foundation 2.0, which is sometimes referred as the DirectX 10. As a result of that, graphics hardware designers should deliver their chips with unified shader engines at some point in future in order to more efficiently support the new API. However, previously Nvidia Corp. expressed opinion that it would be necessary to release an architecture with unified shader processors “when it makes sense”.
“We will do a unified architecture in hardware when it makes sense. When it’s possible to make the hardware work faster unified, then of course we will. It will be easier to build in the future, but for the meantime, there’s plenty of mileage left in this architecture,” David Kirk, who is Nvidia’s chief architect, said in an interview with Bit-tech.net web-site.
ATI Technologies has already developed a unified shader architecture used in the Xenos graphics processor of the Xbox 360 game console. Nvidia believes that it is much harder to design a processor with unified pixel and vertex shader processors, as it is not a trivial task to create appropriate load balancing logic that would arbiter the unified arithmetic logic units.
The new DirectX 10 API is expected to be released later this year along with Microsoft Windows Vista operating system.
Nvidia did not respond to enquiry seeking for comment. Typically, the company does not comment on unreleased products.
Comments currently:
34
Discussion started: 02/20/06 11:16:22 AM
Latest comment: 05/04/07 02:11:47 PM
Expand all threads |
Collapse all threads
1.
DX 10 uses 3 shader types, Vertex, Geometry, and pixel. That article only states 2.
Also, isn't the R580 48 pixel shaders? Why would NVidia's next generation part only have 48?
This is definitely fake.
[
Posted by: HEY STUPID!
|
Date: 02/20/06 11:16:22 AM]
2.
And where does Xbit get it's source from on this story then? It seems that this article is drawn from conclusions, rather than anything solid.
Nvidia have surprised us over the past 2 years and continues too with it's secretive movements, as ATI use to release products that could compete with Nvidia's offerings after Nvidia's next gen gpu details were leaked over the interweb.
[
Posted by: bleh
|
Date: 02/20/06 01:29:59 PM]
3.
I heard that NVIDIA was working on unified shaders for G80 or something like that...
I was entirely sure that they would go down that path, until this article popped up.
[
Posted by: oledoledoff
|
Date: 02/20/06 02:25:50 PM]
4.
Probably after the G71 shows up and isn't quite what we'd hoped they may have to put a twist to the screws and get the G80 out fast. That may have caused some design compromises in making it at least full DX10 capable but not unified entirely in design.
Despite their need to get back on top fast I hope this hybrid design doesn't go the way the last one went.
[
Posted by: Anemone
|
Date: 02/20/06 05:51:02 PM]
+ expand thread (1 answer)
- collapse thread
I doubt it. They've had plenty of time to prepare for DX10, after all. Rushing it all of a sudden just doesn't make sense.
And I don't really think they "need to get back on top fast". I mean, they've more or less been on top since the Geforce 6'es were launched, and up until a few weeks ago, when X1900 came out. And maybe a few months in between when the X850's came out.
In any case, nice to get some info. But as the first two comments said, it seems a bit unlikely. They're usually good at preventing leaks.
I wouldn't rule out a hybrid design though. To begin with, that might just offer better performance on the same die space than one with unified shaders. But I guess we'll see
[
Posted by: Jalf
|
Date: 02/22/06 05:52:26 AM]
5.
Your grammar and syntax is horrible. You may want to proofread articles before you publish them.
-o
[
Posted by: Osarika
|
Date: 02/20/06 07:47:20 PM]
6.
This is madness. Buy a new $1000 graphics card just to run Vista. In other words M$ want people to buy the XBox for games. I hope the user feedback goes all the way to their stock prices
[
Posted by: Jack
|
Date: 02/21/06 12:13:17 AM]
+ expand thread (2 answers)
- collapse thread
Maybe they want people to wait for the first or second service pack ;)
Then there should probably be low to middle-end wgf2.0 support.
[
Posted by: Silver
|
Date: 02/21/06 02:01:27 AM]
Cards as GeForce 5100 can run Vista will full graphics. And thats a fact.
[
Posted by: cooldude7273
|
Date: 02/21/06 02:52:23 PM]
7.
Nice!
[
Posted by: Mike
|
Date: 02/22/06 01:19:56 AM]
8.
$1000 cards to run Vista? What kind of crap is that? The requirement to run Vista with all the eye candy is a video card that supports pixel shaders 2. That is any card from the Geforce FX, 6 or 7 series, or the Ati Radeon 9xxx series (excluding 9000 and 9200), the Radeon X series, or the X1 series. A geforce 6200 for example, will run Vista just fine with all the eye candy, and it's just a cheap entry level card.
[
Posted by: The Phantom
|
Date: 02/22/06 09:08:42 PM]
9.
There is some anatgonism between title and text...
[
Posted by: y-t-off
|
Date: 02/23/06 09:40:04 AM]
10.
When comes the card out?:)
[
Posted by: Arkantos
|
Date: 02/24/06 09:22:36 AM]
11.
G80 when no G71 yet
[
Posted by: G80 this is fake
|
Date: 02/28/06 07:42:56 AM]
12.
ha ha how long did they have to prepare for the 7900 and yet rumors of 24 pipes
[
Posted by: Quote "I doubt it. They've had plenty of time to prepare fo
|
Date: 02/28/06 07:50:32 AM]
13.
very good
[
Posted by: semsem
|
Date: 03/11/06 06:38:30 AM]
14.
i want download this directx 10
[
Posted by: semsem
|
Date: 03/11/06 06:39:37 AM]
15.
Microsoft wouldn't want to release DirectX 10 on the PC market until they have at least had enough sales of Xbox 360's using ATI's GPU that does support Dx10.
Until Dx10 is released, and Microsoft have announced that it will only be available in Windows Vista, the Xbox 360 will appear to have the lead in the graphic department over PC's. This is most likely a marketing strategy to maximise Xbox 360 sales, as why would they release Dx10 on Windows XP if it meant competing with a new product for consumer $$.
Neither ATI or nVidia will release a DirectX 10 video card until Vista is released and also they want to sell their existing DirectX 9 cards for $1000 while they still can, I'm holding off until an affordable DirectX 10 card comes out... as you'd be stupid to upgrade now with a massive change of OS and hardware about to happen associated to Windows Vista (only Microsoft OS to support DirectX 10)
[
Posted by: Shadow
|
Date: 03/16/06 09:24:28 PM]
+ expand thread (1 answer)
- collapse thread
Lol I actually work for microsoft and actually helped design and tweak windows vista. It is apparent with all this speculation about windows vista and it's direct -X capabilities is entirely backwards.
For the past few months we have been working side by side with the makers and designers of geforce along with image enhancement with Ati products. With Windows Vista coming out in early January we are trying to get everything in order to have everything prepared for it's release. But the only problem that we are running into at the moment is making sure it all works and stays that way. image quality and virtual graphics are not that easy to make. But we are trying to hurry the process up-if not we are going to have to push up the release date till mid june -07.
[
Posted by: jediknight73102
|
Date: 05/09/06 04:46:35 PM]
16.
113
[
Posted by: voliem02
|
Date: 03/17/06 06:50:13 PM]
17.
nVidia - RULEZ!!! & Forever.
[
Posted by: VCOOL
|
Date: 03/18/06 02:04:34 AM]
18.
I sucked my grandmas tits
[
Posted by: Kyle Froth
|
Date: 04/17/06 08:58:15 PM]
19.
uauuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
[
Posted by: dde
|
Date: 05/09/06 09:08:01 PM]
20.
this is very impresive i dont now como es que es esto y asta donde llegara carambolas las bolas del todo el mudo y qye god bendiga el bolsillo de todos para poder tener este tipo de targetas grphicas...
[
Posted by: dde
|
Date: 05/09/06 09:09:30 PM]
+ expand thread (1 answer)
- collapse thread
ok, well i know for fact that the 360 supports directx 12! because i am bill gates. we are also releasing a slot on microwave so you can eat your favourite microwaveable food whilst playing. I have a copy of halo 5(its on pause whilst im writing this email) and 3 copies of grand theft auto 7,(marketing,you should understand). i have sold microsoft and become the local paper boy,its much more rewarding earning 7£ per week.Anyway xbox 360 is a powerhouse, ps3 is as good as something i had trouble flushing this morning,and the wei,yea that was floating round the bowl with it.im bill,thanx for reading
[
Posted by: Bill Mathew Gates
|
Date: 07/27/06 07:07:49 AM]
Nvidia’s First DirectX 10 Chip to Be “Hybrid” Design.
Make Home Page
Add to Favorites
XbitLabs is using Twitter
Windows Live Alerts
