512MB PCI-E Geforce6800 Ultra

[Vamp]

Wow...I never knew these existed. Anyone have one?

At a local PC shop, the 7800GTs are going for around $450 while these 6800s are going for close to $800!

(currency conversion)

By the way, in the US are 7800s readily available at every PC shop? It seems they're only available in specialist/enthusiast stores here.

[clocker]

By the way, in the US are 7800s readily available at every PC shop? It seems they're only available in specialist/enthusiast stores here.
Uh-huh.
Mine came in a box of Cracker Jacks.

Even here in the land of milk and honey very few shops can afford to have $400+ video cards in stock.
Everyone wants one, few can afford them.

[cpt_azad]

Ya, the only way you can buy a 512mb 6800 here in vancouver is through the internet. I have seen some 7800's but they're in only a few select computer stores, big companies like Future Shop and Best Buy (here, in Vancouver) dont' carry them as far as I know.

[htd82002]

512mb?that's outrageous!

where will you use all that power?

maybe a year from now we'll also be seeing gigabyte graphic cards...

[clocker]

maybe a year from now we'll also be seeing gigabyte graphic cards...
Count on it.

[htd82002]

maybe a year from now we'll also be seeing gigabyte graphic cards...
Count on it.


i just don't get it, what is the 512mb for? don't tell me photoshop, nor games like doom 3...wouldn't it be silly to be playing those games with so much video power when they only need about 128, or maybe 256 at most?

[Virtualbody1234]

Gigabyte graphics card. ;)

http://www.chiptech1.com/images/VGA_89.jpg

:rolleyes:

[htd82002]

no...is this for real?1gb of memory for a graphics card?

let me change my question then...what the heck am i supposed to use that power for?

i mean, i used to drool over stuff like this...but eversince assembling my own ultimate gaming machine, i find its performance more than satisfying...i haven't run into a software that can't run in optimal speed with very high graphic settings...

but maybe, such developments will make currently expensive cards less expensive...hmm...

[clocker]

Count on it.


i just don't get it, what is the 512mb for? don't tell me photoshop, nor games like doom 3...wouldn't it be silly to be playing those games with so much video power when they only need about 128, or maybe 256 at most?
Who's talking about games?
You'll need that kind of GPU just to run VISTA, nevermind Doom5 (which I understand will be all black and require UV goggles).

[Virtualbody1234]

A large amount of memory doesn't make a video card "powerful".

And if you hadn't noticed... The Gigabyte brand card I posted doesn't have 1GB RAM. I was just joking about the brand.

[clocker]

And a very subtle joke it was.

[htd82002]

okay, thanks for clearing that up...i actually thought there was already one available... :)

[htd82002]

oh and by the way, vista is the next os that supports some special kind of display, right?hmm...maybe that would explain the high memory requirement...

[Virtualbody1234]

oh and by the way, vista is the next os that supports some special kind of display, right?hmm...maybe that would explain the high memory requirement...
You take us too seriously.

Welcome to the board. http://www.mcbrien.plus.com/liam/img/smilies/thmbup.gif

[htd82002]

no, maybe about the graphics card, but i think i heard the vista special kind of display from some show before...so what is with vista, and why need so much gpu power (or memory)?

[Virtualbody1234]

Windows Vista Ready PC Requirements
Windows Vista Ready PCs need to pass the current certification requirements for Designed for Windows XP logo. In addition, these PCs would need the following combination of essential PC hardware for good overall Windows Vista performance:

• CPU — PC systems should have a modern CPU.

• RAM — PC systems should have 512MB of memory or more.

• GPU — PC systems should have a graphics processor that will support Windows Vista Display Driver Model.


Windows Vista offers significant improvements to the graphics user experience. To take advantage of these advances in the graphics user experience, graphics processor will need to support the Windows Vista Display Driver Model.

Graphics processors capable of supporting Windows Vista Display Driver Model:

• Are designed to ensure that graphics user experience scales up with hardware capabilities.

• Offer improved graphic stability and performance.

• May be able to support additional desktop productivity features.


http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/evaluate/hardware/vistarpc.mspx#EEAA

[htd82002]

i checked the site, seems microsoft's descriptions are too vague to make any conclusions...thanks for your help, virtualbody1234...

[clocker]

i checked the site, seems microsoft's descriptions are too vague to make any conclusions...
Intentionally so, methinks.
Original reports had MS calling for a minimum of 1GB system RAM and graphics with 512MB RAM.
Many people responded with a hearty "WTF?"

Apparently, there will now be different versions of Vista, the primo version will include support for the "Vista Display Driver Model" (whatever that may be) which is where all the cool, eye-candy screenshots are coming from.

Those swinging lesser e-penii can enjoy Vista in the familiar beige Win98 mode and reap the other benefits of the new OS (whatever they may be).

[JunkBarMan]

and reap the other benefits of the new OS (whatever they may be).


A whole new slew of window's updates! :lol:

I guess that goes without saying.

[Smith]

If Valve can make HL2 run on a P3 800 MHZ, then Microsoft can make windows run on anything :dry:

[htd82002]

If Valve can make HL2 run on a P3 800 MHZ, then Microsoft can make windows run on anything :dry:


well, i doubt they'll want to make windows run on just anything...i remember five years ago, 128mb was such a big deal, but when xp came out, 128mb went pffft...not even 256mb ram can help some people out (with regard to sluggish performance)...

am i smelling a hardware-software conspiracy? (actually, i think there has been even before win 3.1 came out... :) )

[Virtualbody1234]

Conspiracy from Microsoft? :O

Welcome back, htd82002.

[htd82002]

Conspiracy from Microsoft? :O

Welcome back, htd82002.


yeah, i'm back! :) got some time before my next task so i check in every now and then.

about the conspiracy thing, do you really think that hardware giants are producing only with their own intents in mind? allowing win xp to recognize almost any hardware is a proof of that (hardware being suited for the software and vice-versa).

[Virtualbody1234]

Conspiracy from Microsoft? :O

Welcome back, htd82002.


yeah, i'm back! :) got some time before my next task so i check in every now and then.

about the conspiracy thing, do you really think that hardware giants are producing only with their own intents in mind? allowing win xp to recognize almost any hardware is a proof of that (hardware being suited for the software and vice-versa).
I'm sure there's plenty of communication between hardware makers and software developers. Protocols to follow and such.

Otherwise nothing would work. :huh:

[bigdawgfoxx]

ok so is vista the real name of longhorn...? or whats going on lol

[clocker]

ok so is vista the real name of longhorn...? or whats going on lol
Yup.
Vista>Longhorn.

Till it changes.


Then it will be something else.

[htd82002]

so longhorn is really vista? what the,no wonder older people don't want anything to do with computers, they keep changing names!

anyway,i doubt it's just protocols they are sharing...then again,that's just my opinion! :)