Sunday, September 14th 2014

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Reference Board Pictured

Sep 14th, 2014 21:20 Discuss (49 Comments)

Here are the first pictures of the reference-design GeForce GTX 980 graphics card. This gorgeous looking board is something to get used to, as it could be a while before we see non-reference boards for the GTX 980. Its smaller sibling, the GTX 970, could launch with non-reference design boards right off the bat. Outwardly, the GTX 980 looks exactly like a GeForce GTX 780 reference board, with NVIDIA's space-age cooling shroud.

The only difference here is a metal backplate decking up the card. This backplate isn't cooling anything, and traces reveal that the card is indeed holding just 8 memory chips, confirming its 256-bit wide GDDR5 memory interface. The GeForce GTX 980 is based on NVIDIA's new GM204 silicon, a derivative of the company's new "Maxwell" architecture, which made its debut with the GeForce GTX 750 Ti. The package of GM204 looks roughly as big as a GK104. The card draws power from a pair of 6-pin PCIe power connectors, and uses a 4+1 phase VRM to condition power.

Source: VideoCardz

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49 Comments on NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Reference Board Pictured

HumanSmoke

Reference card with backplate - now that's something I'd like to see become a trend.

LAN_deRf_HA

Looks like a new cutout pattern on the bracket.

Scrizz

HumanSmokeReference card with backplate - now that's something I'd like to see become a trend.

Well, it's not the first and hopefully not the last.

GhostRyder

Looks like the previous setup now with a backplate. I like the style although the grooving is a little interesting, not sure if I like it as much as smooth but it's still nice looking.

THE_EGG

LAN_deRf_HALooks like a new cutout pattern on the bracket.

agreed it looks similar to the Titan Z for that.

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2x 6 pin PCIe is pretty awesome. I guess this is an indication of how efficient it should be.

radrok

The cheaper the PCB is, the better, Nvidia!

HumanSmokeReference card with backplate - now that's something I'd like to see become a trend.

I honestly don't get what's all this fuss about backplates. They aren't functional in any way :|

THE_EGG

radrokThe cheaper the PCB is, the better, Nvidia!

I honestly don't get what's all this fuss about backplates. They aren't functional in any way :|

Some backplates can help spread the heat around a bit (if it is set up to do this though with thermal pads or the like). But yes in most cases they aren't all that functional.

Prima.Vera

Wow! It looks spectacular! A revolution in both design and performance! Outstanding!!!

tehehe

Nice but performance is shit. Waiting for 980ti.

#10

Kyuuba

I hope it's not another fail advertisement just like with the Titan Z promised.

#11

The Von Matrices

radrokThe cheaper the PCB is, the better, Nvidia!

I honestly don't get what's all this fuss about backplates. They aren't functional in any way :|

THE_EGGSome backplates can help spread the heat around a bit (if it is set up to do this though with thermal pads or the like). But yes in most cases they aren't all that functional.

There's no memory chips or anything of value to cool on the back of this card. This backplate is purely aesthetic, and on top of that it likely hurts cooling performance if you have to put two cards right next to each other. I agree wholeheartedly - remove the backplate and price the card cheaper.

#12

HumanSmoke

radrokI honestly don't get what's all this fuss about backplates. They aren't functional in any way :|

As someone who has to clean a lot of computers, I'd say that backplates make cleaning graphics cards much easier- so I judge that as a functional attribute as far as I'm concerned.

#13

radrok

HumanSmokeAs someone who has to clean a lot of computers, I'd say that backplates make cleaning graphics cards much easier- so I judge that as a functional attribute as far as I'm concerned.

Ehm what? You can just clean computers with compressed air, backplate or not, it will make no difference.

#14

HumanSmoke

radrokEhm what? You can just clean computers with compressed air, backplate or not, it will make no difference.

The difference is that (depending on chassis filtering and the fitting tolerance of the backplate) a light blast of contact cleaner/canned air is enough for a backplated card, where a naked PCB might need a more thorough drenching.

#15

thebluebumblebee

In image 3 of 4, the "980" has 2x6 pin. In image 4, it looks like it has 1x6 and 1x8 pin connectors. Something's not right.

#16

HumanSmoke

thebluebumblebeeIn image 3 of 4, the "980" has 2x6 pin. In image 4, it looks like it has 1x6 and 1x8 pin connectors. Something's not right.

The 8-pin (facing forward) is for pro boards (Quadro) that often use a cable loom/holder off the back of the card and might use the rear facing 8pin to be used in conjuction with it. It isn't often used, but it does give the option for workstations and server racks. The second 6-pin (that is occupied) is set up for 6-pin or 8-pin usage for vendor boards based on the reference PCB but likely drawing more power from faster clocks.

#17

Lionheart

radrokThe cheaper the PCB is, the better, Nvidia!

I honestly don't get what's all this fuss about backplates. They aren't functional in any way :|

Aesthetics & heat dissipation? o_O

#18

1d10t

btarunrThe only difference here is a metal backplate decking up the card. This backplate isn't cooling anything, and traces reveal that the card is indeed holding just 8 memory chips, confirming its 256-bit wide GDDR5 memory interface. The GeForce GTX 980 is based on NVIDIA's new GM204 silicon, a derivative of the company's new "Maxwell" architecture, which made its debut with the GeForce GTX 750 Ti. The package of GM204 looks roughly as big as a GK104. The card draws power from a pair of 6-pin PCIe power connectors, and uses a 4+1 phase VRM to condition power.
Source: VideoCardz

I doubt it.nVidia made an incremental changes about power delivery.

They implement better dual-channel IC control voltage regulation module VRM (red boxes),but downsides is they ditch analog-digital VRM control and replaces with full digital (green box).Still using Foxconn Magic R22 buck converter,which is clearly inferior compare to Coiltronics, though they reduced down to 4 and add some +1 as backup.
This would translate nVidia is strictly-limitting power at certain value and forbidding user to overclock them.Even 5% OC could be impossible with reference cards.

#19

radrok

LionheartAesthetics & heat dissipation? o_O

It has no memory chips on the backside and it is not making contact with any heat-generating part.

But you guys are free to ask for backplates, I'll be asking for better PCB components, which Nvidia hasn't been delivering in generations.

#20

HumanSmoke

radrokBut you guys are free to ask for backplates, I'll be asking for better PCB components, which Nvidia hasn't been delivering in generations.

And why does it have to be an either/or situation? Are wish lists limited to a single option?

#21

btarunr

Editor & Senior Moderator

1d10tI doubt it.nVidia made an incremental changes about power delivery.

They implement better dual-channel IC control voltage regulation module VRM (red boxes),but downsides is they ditch analog-digital VRM control and replaces with full digital (green box).Still using Foxconn Magic R22 buck converter,which is clearly inferior compare to Coiltronics, though they reduced down to 4 and add some +1 as backup.
This would translate nVidia is strictly-limitting power at certain value and forbidding user to overclock them.Even 5% OC could be impossible with reference cards.

I meant that the cooling solutions of the two cards look identical. Hence, "outwardly."

#22

MxPhenom 216

ASIC Engineer

radrokIt has no memory chips on the backside and it is not making contact with any heat-generating part.

But you guys are free to ask for backplates, I'll be asking for better PCB components, which Nvidia hasn't been delivering in generations.

Have you ever heard of non reference designs. It is why they are there.

1d10tI doubt it.nVidia made an incremental changes about power delivery.

They implement better dual-channel IC control voltage regulation module VRM (red boxes),but downsides is they ditch analog-digital VRM control and replaces with full digital (green box).Still using Foxconn Magic R22 buck converter,which is clearly inferior compare to Coiltronics, though they reduced down to 4 and add some +1 as backup.
This would translate nVidia is strictly-limitting power at certain value and forbidding user to overclock them.Even 5% OC could be impossible with reference cards.

Id make that judgement when we actually see what the power consumption is out of the box. Until then its speculation, unless you know something we don't, and I hate speculation.

#23

Animalpak

Considering the better and improved power delivery system i think we will see a dual GTX 980 for summer 2015.

#24

HumanSmoke

AnimalpakConsidering the better and improved power delivery system i think we will see a dual GTX 980 for summer 2015.

Probably a certainty. If Nvidia could double up full-fat GK 104's for the GTX 690, and GK 110's for the card-shall-not-be-named, a GTX 990 should be a distinct possibility. Hopefully for those who buy duallies, the pricing is more in line with former.

1d10tThis would translate nVidia is strictly-limitting power at certain value and forbidding user to overclock them.Even 5% OC could be impossible with reference cards.

Then again it might be able to produce a 20% overclockand blow your theory into the weeds

#25

buildzoid

I see another TITAN coming because this card is simply not pushing any 28nm manufacturing limits. There's still 38% more power draw available before hitting the 250W TDP so a maxwell card with a 384bit bus and 2300+ cores is very possible.

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