what's next for ATI? (post 5970)

[Zero82z]

Originally Posted by MpG

My bad, I stand corrected on the 8-pin power draw. But I'm fairly certain that the PCI-E specs do dictate how much power can be drawn by the device, according to what connectors are attached to the device. It doesn't encompass the area of chassis/board/supply testing, so the onus is on those designers to make sure their products can supply what they're supposed to.

I believe the 300W number comes from assuming 75W from the slot, plus the additional power provided by the 6 and 8-pin connectors.

The 300W number does come from assuming 75W from the slot, since it's based on backwards compatibility with PCI-E 1.x. However, there is no specification for the maximum amount of power that a card can draw. There is only the ATX spec which dictates how much power can be supplied by each connector, and the PCI-E spec which dictates how much power can be supplied by the slot itself.

[Sushi Warrior]

Regardless of whether or not it will be possible to power it (which they can), the major issues are heat and power consumption.

[SKYMTL]

They have already stated that the cooler on the HD 5970 is rated up to 400W of thermal dissipation.

[Sushi Warrior]

That's still pushing it, you start getting heat problems at that point.... and ATI probably doesn't want another card with heat problems.... bad press.

[Zero82z]

Originally Posted by Sushi Warrior

That's still pushing it, you start getting heat problems at that point....

And what do you think qualifies as a "heat problem"?

[belgolas]

Originally Posted by Zero82z

And what do you think qualifies as a "heat problem"?

I don't know but you can only pump so much power through a small area before even water cooling can handle. Graphics cards are already really hot and it is easy to get a GPU to a 100c.

[Zero82z]

Originally Posted by belgolas

I don't know but you can only pump so much power through a small area before even water cooling can handle. Graphics cards are already really hot and it is easy to get a GPU to a 100c.

If the cooling is designed to handle 400W, I don't see why there would be any problem.

[Sushi Warrior]

If you look at current temps, then add 1/3 or so, that would be closer to what I would think it would be like. Not accurate at all, but a ballpark estimate.

[Zero82z]

Originally Posted by Sushi Warrior

If you look at current temps, then add 1/3 or so, that would be closer to what I would think it would be like. Not accurate at all, but a ballpark estimate.

Current temps are under 80C for both GPUs at a fan speed low enough to be mostly inaudible. Temperatures could be easily controlled with a more power-hungry card simply by spinning up the fan a bit.

[Sushi Warrior]

I'm not saying 5970's with higher clocks won't happen, I'm just saying I doubt a 5990 will ever exist unless Fermi is spectacularly good.