Any explanation as to why...

R

reflex33

Limp Gawd
Joined
Sep 5, 2001
Messages
343
...the 6800 Ultra doesn't just use an external power supply ala Voodoo 5 6000. I know it would add to the cost, but it just seems it would simplify the whole power supply issue.

And yes I know that most good quality power supplies should be able to handle this no problem, but as for a future concern, as these cards get more and more hungry for power, does anyone see them switching to that type of power supply.
 
i thought it does use an external powersupply connection, not only that, but its got 2 connections (the non ultra should have only 1)
 
He means external to the pc...not external to the agp connector(ie molex). The theory of using external powersupplies aided in the fall of 3dfx. The issue is only going to effect the ultra agp and should not be much of a problem when pci-express becomes standard...

Here is a list of reasons why not...
1) adds to the video cards expense.
2) adds to support costs.
3) difficulty in finding a reasonably priced quality vendor.
 
here are a few other reasons an external power adapter for the card isnt a good idea:
additional shipping weight -> increased cost
the header for the card is already "prime real estate" as you have the two monitor outputs (and usually a video out for some form of TV/vid recorder etc.) Trying to add a socket for a power plug would be difficult, and could resort to limiting the outputs available on the card.
so it was just simpler (and much cheaper) to add the additional molex connect. Besides, this card is focused on extreme gamers - who'd prolly already own a psu that can handle the additional power needs.
Now for the PCI express, one does have to wonder if it will have the headroom to handle the future high end cards. I doubt it will be the end of the additional power connection.
 
We might be seeing special connectors on the PSU made specially for video cards in the future.
 
From what I've read GPU makers are already unhappy about the 70 watt limit on PCIe
 
GPUs are already getting larger and more complicated than the CPU. Look at the latest releases from NV and ATI, weighing in at 220 and 160 million transistors without ANY cache, they easily exceed most procs (double the old Northwood core), except for the ones with megs or more of cache strapped on. Not to mention all the additional silicon on there, like all the RAM and the DACs, DSPs, etc.

They're obviously going to be very demanding in terms of power as they're only going to keep growing/developing as time goes on. Rather than continuing to try to feed these cards in the same paltry method used for the average featherweight PCI card that draws a couple watts at best, a standard should be set to provide plenty of juice to the cards direct from the PSU, like the P4's power header.
 
"Now for the PCI express, one does have to wonder if it will have the headroom to handle the future high end cards. I doubt it will be the end of the additional power connection."

Depends on if we are talking about removing all molex connectors or simply reducing it back down to one...
 
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