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GeForce FX Architecture Explained

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the kicking-the-tires dept.

Brian writes "3DCenter has published one of the most in-depth articles on the internals of a 3D graphics chip (the NV30/GeForce FX in this case) that I've ever seen. The author has based his results on a patent NVIDIA filed last year and he has turned up some very interesting relevations regarding the GeForce FX that go a long way to explain why its performance is so different from the recent Radeons. Apparently, optimal shader code for the NV30 is substantially different from what is generated by the standard DX9 HLSL compiler. A new compiler may help to some extent, but other performance issues will likely need to be resolved by NVIDIA in the driver itself."

7 of 185 comments (clear)

  1. But can you hack a GeForce like you can hack Radeo by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    Nothing beats my 9500 to 9700 card. Its a simple driver hack. Now my lowly 130$ budget card can whoop any GeforceFX garbage. Plus the overclockability after its a 9700. You just dont get any sweeter.

  2. Re:I wonder what a structured classroom approach.. by mmp · · Score: 2, Informative
    Sure, there are classes completely about the architecture of graphics hardware here and there. The slides for each of these two classes on graphics hardware are excellent.

    Owens @ UC Davis

    Akeley and Hanrahan @ Stanford

  3. Anand tells the tale by Bob-o-Matic! · · Score: 2, Informative
    Anandtech's article clearly shows that ATI's DX9 totally pwnz0rz nVidia's. And probably will at least until nv40 is released.

    ATI 9x owners rejoice, indeed! Even the budget 9200 smokes the 5600 Ultra!

  4. Linux Drivers by maizena · · Score: 4, Informative

    In the Windows(argh) world I really couldn't care less about what card to use.
    ATI or NVIDIA, it's just a matter of taste and/or faith.

    But in the Linux world NVIDIA still rules.
    And it's not that NVIDIA's cards are better, but they at least have a descent Linux driver.

    The bottom line is: "If you use Linux, the best choice still is a NVIDIA card!"

  5. Re:Say what by afidel · · Score: 3, Informative

    Basically it comes down to MS partnered with Nvidia for DX8 and XBox-1, Nvidia asked MS to use some KY so MS chose ATI for DX9 and XBox-2.

    p.s.
    If you don't get this, MS was losing money on the XBox for a long time, some analysts say they still are, to minimize those losses they asked Nvidia to take a hit on the contract terms for the XBox hardware agreement, Nvidia being a relitivly small company said no thanks and that effectivly ended their relationship for now.

    --
    There are 4 boxes to use in the defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, ammo. Use in that order. Starting now.
  6. Re:Say what by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    Um... Nvidia didn't buy out 3dlabs. Creative bought out 3dlabs. I think you mean Nvidia bought out 3dfx. 3dfx made voodoo and glide.

    GO VOODOO and GLIDE.

    Creative was suppose to help 3dlabs pump out consumer level cards yet I haven't seen them at the retail store.

  7. It's really very simple ... by dzym · · Score: 2, Informative
    Gamesdepot had a short one question one answer session with Gabe Newell, then John Carmack himself on Nvidia shader performance: clicky!

    The proof is in the pudding.