VR-Zone

Hardware-infos claim that Nvidia's next launch - the GTX 460, is set for Computex 2010, which runs from June 1-5, 2010, at Taipei. As rumoured before, the GTX 460 will be a heavily crippled version of GF100, with 12 out of the 16 SMs enabled. The memory interface will be cut to 256-bit, and subsequently, memory to 1GB. Rumoured specs also suggest only 32 ROPs compared to the GTX 480's 48. This isn't as major a cut as GTX 460's primary competitor, the HD 5830.

Given GF100's dismal yield rates, it is likely that Nvidia has already binned a large number of 12 SM GF100 chips, ready to go into the GTX 460. It makes a lot of sense that the GTX 460 will be here sooner rather than later. Still, GF100's thermal issues will likely be carried over to the GTX 460.

If there was a relative weak link in the HD 5000 line-up, it has to be the HD 5830. It performs far too close to the HD 5770 for comfort, while the much faster HD 5850 is priced less than $70 away - one of the rare occasions of price/performance staying constant with increased performance. It also consumes more power than the HD 5850.

On paper, the GTX 460 has every chance of out-performing the HD 5830. At the same time, the HD 5830 is going for $230-240, and is likely to drop in price. Nvidia will need to price the GTX 460 at $250, at most, and this may be a competitive product.

Right below the GTX 460 will be the GF104 performance GPU - which should be part of the GTS 400 series. However, it must be noted that AMD have taped out Southern Islands, and it is possible that ATI's refresh will be released before the Nvidia's Geforce 400 series line-up is complete.

Meanwhile, the GTX 470 and 480 cards remain scarcely available around the world, if at all.

Reference: Hardware-infos