VR-Zone

As we reported a few days back, NVIDIA is all set to release a dual-GPU variant of GF100 after all, rumoured to be branded the GeForce GTX 590. Given GeForce GTX 580's power consumption of 244W when throttled, and nearly 300W in Furmark with throttling disabled, there have been plenty of question marks regarding the power consumption of GTX 590. Nordichardware reports that NVIDIA is planning to hand pick (aggressively bin) GF100 chips with lowest leakage and voltage characteristics. There's no doubt the GTX 590 will be much underclocked compared to the GTX 580, still.

Previous leaked pictures of dual-GF100 suggest 2x8-pin power configuration, breaking the PCI-SIG certification. The TDP will most likely be in the 375W range, if the same configuration is maintained. Realistically, this is the minimum power one would expect from a dual-GF100 monster.

The GTX 590 will be a very, very expensive graphics card, and availability is likely to be very limited. Despite the high price, over 1000 mm² of the finest silicon real estate costs an exorbitant amount to produce, and NordicHardware suggests NVIDIA have no chance of making any money directly from the GTX 590. The main intention is a PR stunt, relying on the halo effect.

Like in November 2010 and the GTX 580, the GTX 590 is coming in February to gate-crash an AMD Radeon HD 6900 series release - this time the HD 6990. The HD 6990 will definitely be a much more practical product, with official PCI-SIG certification and a more reasonable power consumption of 300W. The question is - which of the two will take the performance crown?

Source: NordicHardware