GeForce 8900 was suppose to be the obvious reply to AMD’s launch of the Radeon X2900XTX; a simple optimization of the core and higher frequencies, but now it seems that NVIDIA has reconsidered and is going for a die-shrink instead, bringing G80 to 65nm instead. This core will be named G90 and will according to TheInq possible even have a 512-bit memory controller. G80 is a 90nm circuit though so the step to 65nm should bring plenty of space for higher frequencies while it should be able to save power at the same time. Cards based on the “new” core is expected to arrive during the second quarter, I.e. about the same time AMD is expected to launch X2900XTX.
We earlier reported about how GeCube converted ATI’s Radeon X1950XT to AGP with the GECUBE X1950XT X AGP and now it seems that also NVIDIA is interested in keeping AGP alive as it is apparently planning to launch 8600 cards with support for the older interface. This means that also AGP owners will be able to play DirectX 10 games, even if it will only be with mid-range cards.
