Nvidia Plans the GT-200 in Both 65 and 55-Nanometer Architectures

Nvidia is reportedly placing massive orders for both 65- and 55-nanometer GT-200 chips at its foundry partners. The chip designer is getting ready for a massive launch and early estimations claim that the card will hit the shelves in mid-June.

Nvidia's decision to go with both 65- and 55-nanometer chips is just another safety measure, as a product delay would be fatal. The graphics manufacturer hit the same wall with the introduction of its GeForce 9800 GX2 graphics card in March and it almost lost momentum with the three-week delay.

The technology update usually happens in low-end GPU offerings, as they come with less complicated designs that could easily be modified without messing everything up. High-end chips are the last parts to undergo the micro-architecture update because anything can go wrong during the transition, thus causing significant delays for re-designing.

The two GT-200 stock keeping units would ensure Nvidia that it has at least one successful design ready for introduction. Of course 55-nanometer GPUs would be the ideal tool of trade, especially given the fact that AMD / ATI is also building its R770 counterpart on the 55-nanometer node.

If the 55-nanometer implementation fails, Nvidia will take full advantage of the 65-nanometer chips. However, if the former design proves functional, the 55-nanometer update will bring more energy-efficient GPUs running at lower temperatures. This means that overclockers will be able to push their limits even more as compared to the previous architectures.

The dark side of releasing two distinct breeds of chips is that the company will have to invest double the money, but the graphics manufacturer is in no position to afford delays. It is rumored that the company will market its chips in two different products: while the 55-nanometer parts will power the GTX model, the 65-nanometer version will be implemented in the GT.

According to Fudzilla, the GTX version will replace the previous GeForce 9800 GTX card and will sell for an estimative price of $499. Although the GT-200 cards are currently known as D10U, they will probably be branded as GeForce 9900GTX and GT.


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