The AMD Squeeze: Nvidia Intros GeForce 8800 for $300

The Nature Of The Beast

The G80 processor debuted with two flavors, the GeForce 8800GTX and the GeForce 8800GTS. The processor core for the GeForce 8800GTX operates at a frequency of 575 MHz and 500 MHz on GeForce 8800GTS. While the rest of the core runs at 575 MHz (or 500 MHz), the shader core has its own independent clock generator. GeForce 8800GTX runs at 1,350 MHz and the 8800GTS' clock speed is 1,200 MHz.

The point of introducing a graphics card that has the same core and less memory is strictly one of product positioning. The GeForce 8800GTS has 12 sets of eight streaming processors in a block for a total 96 SPs. Like ATI's design in R580 and R580+ with its pixel shader units, Nvidia says more units can be added to future designs and some can be taken away. This can be seen in the implementation of 128 streaming processors (16 sets) in the flagship GeForce 8800GTX.

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Graphics CardPrice Band
GeForce 8800GTX 768 MB$599 - $649
GeForce 8800GTS 640 MB$399 - $440
GeForce 8800GTS 320 MB$299 - $329

So what do you expect when the memory is cut in half? The frame buffer memory is needed to store partially completed frame information. The effect we have seen in the past is that an application cannot begin a test at high image quality settings such as antialiasing while at extremely high resolutions. If the card does not have enough for the task, an error window will show up once the application closes abruptly. Simply put, it means that in some situations the GeForce 8800 GTS 320 MB version could find itself under-equipped for extreme situations.