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Asus Crams Three GPUs onto a Single Graphics Card
Barence writes "PC Pro has up a look at Asus' concept triple-GPU graphics card. It's a tech demo, so it's not going to see release at any point in the future, but it's an interesting look at how far manufacturers can push technology, as well as just how inefficient multi-GPU graphics cards currently are. 'Asus has spaced [the GPUs] out, placing one on the top of the card and two on the underside. This creates its own problem, though: attaching heatsinks and fans to both sides of the card would prevent it from fitting into some case arrangements, and defeat access to neighbouring expansion slots. So instead, Asus has used a low-profile heat-pipe system that channels the heat to a heatsink at the back of the card, from where it's dissipated by externally-powered fluid cooling pipes.'"
I think the talk about the cooling is important since one of the most difficult tasks is not how to get three GPUs on a single chip, but to get a viable cooling solution that doesn't sound like a vacuum cleaner and one that doesn't require too much space (or it would essentially kill the whole concept).
Full Tilt
Well to be fair the new games do have better graphics. But the problem comes down to the fact that graphics are improving beyond the average persons eye and interpret graphics. Much like sound cards a decade ago. We had some major improvements from the Ad-Lib up to the SoundBlaster 16. But after that even though the cards have massive improvements average joe doesn't know the difference. The same thing is happening to video cards now. The new games that fully utilize the card adds effects that are very subtile, or on the old systems they cheated to add the effects (Fixed background Bitmaped Images, A semi-transparancy layer to simulate haze. While now the background is getting nearly fully rendered so if there is a mountain in the background and you have a powerful enough graphics card and a high enough resolution you can see each blade of grass on that mountain, and the Haze is like real haze not as uniformed as before more like real life. But the average Game player wouldn't really focus on these details, if they are actually interested in playing the games.
Unlike the old days you can see a huge difference between a CGA, EGA, VGA and Super VGA. Then Super VGA held on for a while then the 3d Cards started coming out and there were huge improvements even now. But I think we are getting to a point again where the details they can produce is beyond what is needed.
If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
Is it really a slashvertisement when we're talking about something that's barely past the concept stage? Granted, this is good coverage for Asus (who, IMO deserve it), but I also thought news like this was exactly what Slashdot was for.
Linux, you magnificent bastard, I read the fucking manual!
Why can't we put our efforts toward more efficient GPUs? Just as most users won't ever be able to push their current CPUs at their maximum, most aren't even using the full power of their GPUs.
I want a fanless, 5W GPU with the power of GPUs from about 3 years ago. Can the new smaller transistors allow for this or am I asking for too much?
If ATI and nVidia keep pushing for raw power, they'll get beaten to the low-power finish line by the likes of intel and VIA.
In other words, it doesn't work! I'll worry about cooling 3 GPUs when they are at least able to do something useful! Until then I would cool this board by unplugging 2 of the GPUs and enjoying practically the same performance.