NVIDIA speeds up launch of new mid-range/low-end chips

Last we heard, the next mid-range cards based on NVIDIA GPUs would not arrive before the summer, but during the last few weeks the plans seem to have changed. The D9P (Performance segment a.k.a. mid-range) has been sped up to February 14 and will replace the GeForce 8600 series. First model to appear will be the GeForce 9600 GT, sporting 64 shaders, 500 MHz core, 256-bit memory interface and 512MB of graphics memory. The D9P is made with a 65nm manufacturing process and cards will require only a single 6-pin PCIe power connector. D9M-based cards are expected shortly afterward.