Inno3D GeForce GTX 295 Platinum (Single PCB) (big pics)

[akhilles]

Author: W1zzard
Date: Jun 28th 2009

Test System
CPU: Intel Core i7 920 @ 3.8 GHz
(Bloomfield, 8192 KB Cache)
Motherboard: Gigabyte X58 Extreme
Intel X58
Kindly supplied by Gigabyte
Memory: 2x 1024MB OCZ DDR3 Platinum @ 1140 MHz 6-6-6-19
Harddisk: WD Raptor 740ADFD 74 GB
Power Supply: BFG ES-800 800W
Software: Windows Vista SP1
Drivers: NVIDIA: ForceWare 181.20, GTS 250: 182.06, GTX 275: 185.63, GTX 295: 186.18
ATI: Catalyst 9.1, HD 4890: 8.592.1, HD 4770: 8.60

















Value and Conclusion

value:

* Inno3D is positioning their GTX 295 Platinum at around $550, which means it will be sold at the same price as the dual-PCB GTX 295.

thumb ups:

* Fastest card on the market today
* Quieter than dual-PCB card
* Solid overclocking potential
* No price increase
* Support for CUDA / PhysX

thumb downs:

* No performance increase compared to dual-PCB GTX 295
* Increased power draw
* Voltage control circuitry does not support software control
* Based on SLI Technology, only works best when SLI profiles exist

overall score: 9.0

I think it is pretty amazing that NVIDIA has managed to put two GT200 GPUs and supporting components onto a single PCB. While this is certainly impressive from an engineering perspective, that change alone doesn't benefit the end user much. Due to the new cooler used, the card is actually quieter than the dual PCB design but from a rendering performance perspective there are no improvements. NVIDIA has chosen to not increase the clocks the slightest bit.

For the AIBs there is a fundamental improvement with the new GTX 295, it is much cheaper to manufacture. The major cost savings come from one less circuit board, cheaper voltage regulation circuitry and less complex manufacturing process. This will allow substantial price reduction on the GTX 295 in the future, which will benefit you as a customer. At this time there is not much to see of these price cuts yet. The single PCB GTX 295 costs as much as the dual PCB version right now.

So if you already have a GTX 295 there is no real reason to upgrade to the single PCB version. If you are in the market for a new card, the single PCB GTX 295 is the better overall choice, except if you plan on using software based voltage control on your card. Then the dual PCB GTX 295 should be your weapon of choice.

techPowerUp :: Inno3D GeForce GTX 295 Platinum (Single PCB) Review :: Page 1 / 33

[lostandwandering]

Interesting that they decided to go back to the 7900GTX style cooler. No comparison for temps though. Too bad there aren't any gains over the dual PCB design.

[SirRobin4ever]

That sucker's gotta get....a bit....warm.

[lostandwandering]

That sucker's gotta get....a bit....warm.

Well, they showed temp numbers for the OC that they put on and it wasn't too bad. I think it was something like 80 C max. I was just hoping for a comparison between temps with the dual PCB and the single.

[Eurasianman]

I was just hoping for a comparison between temps with the dual PCB and the single.

Same here.

[lostandwandering]

Same here.

Yeah, you'd figure with all the games that they tested they could at least include one comparison. Too much to ask for I guess.

[Eurasianman]

You could always dig up a regular GTX 295 review. Not sure how accurate the results would be though.

[Tactician]

I wanna know why they neglected the HD 4870 1GB in the testing?

[korben43]

The one guy Mike and I met from Techpowerup only wanted to be your friend if you had connections or something he wanted... shaddy character...

[SirRobin4ever]

The one guy Mike and I met from Techpowerup only wanted to be your friend if you had connections or something he wanted... shaddy character...

Sounds like a politician.