NVIDIA unveiled their next generation GPU (graphical processing unit), the GeForce FX, yesterday at the Comdex trade show. The GeForce FX is the result of a combination of technologies from NVIDIA and 3dfx/Gigapixel. It is the first graphics chip to be manufactured with the 0.13 micron process and the first to use DDR II memory. Preliminary specifications indicate the GeForce FX will have a core clock speed of 500 MHz, memory clock speed of 500 MHz DDR (1 GHz effective), and theortical fill rates of 4 billion pixels per second and 16 billion anti-aliased samples per second. It also boasts programmable pixel and vertex shaders and the ability to render 128-bit color internally.

NVIDIA has also developed its cooling solution, dubbed FX Flow, to dissipate heat from the GPU. Using a high speed fan and a copper radiator, FX Flow draws air in from outside the case to cool the GPU, but at the cost of a PCI slot. Like ATI's Radeon 9700 Pro, the GeForce FX will require an external power source.

The GeForce FX is scheduled to ship to OEMs late this year, with retail cards appearing on store shelves in early 2003. NVIDIA has not announced official Mac support, but their past three products (GeForce2MX, GeForce3, GeForce4) have been Mac-compatible, though only Apple has produced boards, not any 3rd party retail manufacturers. For more information on the inner workings of the GeForce FX, read the previews at FiringSquad and Anandtech.

NVIDIA

Press Release: NVIDIA Introduces GeForce FX GPU

GeForce FX

GeForce FX Preview at FiringSquad

GeForce FX Preview at Anandtech

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