DirectX 12.1 | KitGuru https://www.kitguru.net KitGuru.net - Tech News | Hardware News | Hardware Reviews | IOS | Mobile | Gaming | Graphics Cards Thu, 24 Sep 2015 03:20:36 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://www.kitguru.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/cropped-KITGURU-Light-Background-SQUARE2-32x32.png DirectX 12.1 | KitGuru https://www.kitguru.net 32 32 Nvidia’s next-gen ‘Pascal’ graphics cards will get 16GB of HBM2 memory https://www.kitguru.net/components/graphic-cards/anton-shilov/nvidias-next-gen-high-end-graphics-cards-will-get-16gb-of-hbm2-memory/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/graphic-cards/anton-shilov/nvidias-next-gen-high-end-graphics-cards-will-get-16gb-of-hbm2-memory/#comments Thu, 24 Sep 2015 01:57:48 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=269090 At the GPU Technology Conference in Japan, Nvidia Corp. once again revealed key features of its next-generation graphics processing architecture code-named “Pascal”. As a it appears, the company has slightly changed its plans concerning memory capacity supported by its upcoming GPUs. As expected, Nvidia’s high-end graphics processor that belongs to the “Pascal” family will feature an …

The post Nvidia’s next-gen ‘Pascal’ graphics cards will get 16GB of HBM2 memory first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
At the GPU Technology Conference in Japan, Nvidia Corp. once again revealed key features of its next-generation graphics processing architecture code-named “Pascal”. As a it appears, the company has slightly changed its plans concerning memory capacity supported by its upcoming GPUs.

As expected, Nvidia’s high-end graphics processor that belongs to the “Pascal” family will feature an all-new architecture with a number of exclusive innovations, including mixed precision (for the first time Nvidia’s stream processors will support FP16, FP32 and FP64 precision), NVLink interconnection technology for supercomputers and multi-GPU configurations, unified memory addressing as well as support for second-generation high-bandwidth memory (HBM generation 2).

Based on a slide that Nvidia demonstrated at the GTC Japan 2015, next-generation high-end graphics cards with “Pascal” GPUs will sport up to 16GB of HBM2 with up to 1TB/s bandwidth. Previously Nvidia expected select solutions with “Pascal” graphics processors to feature up to 32GB of HBM2.

nvidia_pascal_expectations_gtc_2015_japan
Nvidia “Pascal” highlights. Image by WccfTech

Given the fact that Nvidia does not produce high-bandwidth memory itself, but relies on supplies from companies like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, changes of their roadmaps can affect Nvidia’s plans. In order to install 32GB of HBM2 memory on a graphics processor with a 4096-bit memory bus, 8GB memory chips are used. While the HBM2 specification allows to build such ICs [integrated circuits], it is not easy to manufacture packages with eight vertically stacked 8Gb memory dies. As a result, such chips may be delayed from 2016 to a later date.

16GB of HBM2 memory should be enough for gaming and professional graphics cards, but high-performance computing applications could take advantage of 32GB of onboard memory even now.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: If Nvidia is not able to get 8GB HBM2 chips next year, AMD will not be able to get them as well. Therefore, expect graphics cards with up to 16GB of high-bandwidth memory from both companies.

The post Nvidia’s next-gen ‘Pascal’ graphics cards will get 16GB of HBM2 memory first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
https://www.kitguru.net/components/graphic-cards/anton-shilov/nvidias-next-gen-high-end-graphics-cards-will-get-16gb-of-hbm2-memory/feed/ 44
Nvidia gets first samples of GP100 from TSMC, begins internal tests https://www.kitguru.net/components/graphic-cards/anton-shilov/nvidia-receives-first-samples-of-gp100-chips-from-tsmc-begins-to-test-them/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/graphic-cards/anton-shilov/nvidia-receives-first-samples-of-gp100-chips-from-tsmc-begins-to-test-them/#comments Wed, 23 Sep 2015 00:18:13 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=268782 Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. has successfully produced the first samples of Nvidia Corp.’s code-named GP100 graphics processing unit. Nvidia has already started to test the chip internally and should be on-track to release the GPU commercially in mid-2016. 3DCenter reports that Nvidia has sent the first graphics cards based on the GP100 graphics processor to its …

The post Nvidia gets first samples of GP100 from TSMC, begins internal tests first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. has successfully produced the first samples of Nvidia Corp.’s code-named GP100 graphics processing unit. Nvidia has already started to test the chip internally and should be on-track to release the GPU commercially in mid-2016.

3DCenter reports that Nvidia has sent the first graphics cards based on the GP100 graphics processor to its subsidiary in India, where it has a lot of hardware and software developers. No actual details about the chip or graphics cards on its base are known, but it is about time for the graphics giant to start testing its GP100.

Nvidia taped out the GP100 in June, 2015. Production cycle of TSMC’s 16nm FinFET process technology is about 90 days, therefore Nvidia got its GP100 from TSMC very recently. Right now the company is testing the chip and its drivers internally.

nvidia_artwork_iron

Nvidia’s GP100 graphics processing unit is based on the “Pascal” architecture and is made using 16nm FinFET+ process technology. The chip is expected to integrate up to 6000 stream processors and contain around 17 billion transistors. Graphics cards featuring the GP100 will carry up to 32GB of HBM2 memory.

Nvidia did not comment on the news-story.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: It is about time for Nvidia to start testing its GP100 now. What remains to be seen is when exactly the company plans to formally introduce its next-generation GPUs. If the first revision of the chip is fully functional, the company may move in introduction of the GP100 to the first quarter of the year.

The post Nvidia gets first samples of GP100 from TSMC, begins internal tests first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
https://www.kitguru.net/components/graphic-cards/anton-shilov/nvidia-receives-first-samples-of-gp100-chips-from-tsmc-begins-to-test-them/feed/ 20
Nvidia changes roadmap: ‘Volta’ is now due in 2018 https://www.kitguru.net/components/graphic-cards/anton-shilov/nvidia-changes-roadmap-volta-is-now-due-in-2018/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/graphic-cards/anton-shilov/nvidia-changes-roadmap-volta-is-now-due-in-2018/#comments Tue, 22 Sep 2015 01:14:41 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=268590 Nvidia Corp. has slightly changed its roadmap concerning GPU architectures. As it appear, its next-gen GPUs code-named “Pascal” are now due in 2016, whereas their successors will be released only in 2018. Based on a new roadmap that Nvidia showcased at a tech conference in Japan, the company will release its code-named “Pascal” GPUs in 2016 …

The post Nvidia changes roadmap: ‘Volta’ is now due in 2018 first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
Nvidia Corp. has slightly changed its roadmap concerning GPU architectures. As it appear, its next-gen GPUs code-named “Pascal” are now due in 2016, whereas their successors will be released only in 2018.

Based on a new roadmap that Nvidia showcased at a tech conference in Japan, the company will release its code-named “Pascal” GPUs in 2016 and will follow on with “Volta” graphics processors in 2018. The “Pascal” chips will be made using 16nm FinFET process technology and will be available in 2016, reports WccfTech. Previously “Volta” was expected in 2017.

NVIDIA-Pascal-GPU_Roadmap

Not a lot is known about the first “Pascal” GPU. Nvidia has reportedly taped out its GP100 graphics processor back in June. Given the timeframe of the tape-out, it is highly likely that Nvidia uses TSMC’s advanced 16nm FinFET+ (CLN16FF+) manufacturing technology. Nvidia has changed its approach to roll-out of new architectures. Instead of starting from simple GPUs and introducing biggest processors quarters after the initial chips, Nvidia will begin to roll-out 16nm “Pascal” GPUs with the largest chip in the family.

Nvidia did not comment on the news-story.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: It looks like Nvidia is pulling in “Pascal”, but slightly delays “Volta”. The reason for this is simple: 10nm process technology. At TSMC it will only be available for Nvidia in 2018.

The post Nvidia changes roadmap: ‘Volta’ is now due in 2018 first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
https://www.kitguru.net/components/graphic-cards/anton-shilov/nvidia-changes-roadmap-volta-is-now-due-in-2018/feed/ 32
Nvidia’s ‘Big Pascal’ GPU reportedly taped-out, on-track for 2016 launch – rumour https://www.kitguru.net/components/graphic-cards/anton-shilov/nvidias-big-pascal-gpu-reportedly-taped-out-on-track-for-2016-launch-rumour/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/graphic-cards/anton-shilov/nvidias-big-pascal-gpu-reportedly-taped-out-on-track-for-2016-launch-rumour/#comments Fri, 05 Jun 2015 22:33:26 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=253018 Nvidia Corp. has reportedly taped out its next-generation high-performance graphics processing unit that belongs to the “Pascal” family, according to a market rumour. If the information is correct, then Nvidia is on-track to release its new GPU around mid-2016. The company needs its “Big Pascal” graphics processor to build next-generation Tesla accelerators for high-performance computing applications …

The post Nvidia’s ‘Big Pascal’ GPU reportedly taped-out, on-track for 2016 launch – rumour first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
Nvidia Corp. has reportedly taped out its next-generation high-performance graphics processing unit that belongs to the “Pascal” family, according to a market rumour. If the information is correct, then Nvidia is on-track to release its new GPU around mid-2016. The company needs its “Big Pascal” graphics processor to build next-generation Tesla accelerators for high-performance computing applications and better compete against AMD on the market of consumer GPUs.

An anonymous person presumably with access to confidential information in the semiconductor industry revealed in a post over at Beyond3D forums that Nvidia had already taped out its next-generation code-named GP100 graphics processing unit. Nowadays, a tape-out means that the design of an integrated circuit has been finalized, but the first actual chips materialize only months after their tape-out.

Tape-out is the final stage of the design cycle of an integrated circuit, the point at which the artwork of the IC is sent to a maker of photomasks. Once the set of photolithographic masks is ready and verified, it is sent to a contract manufacturer of the chip, which produces the first working samples of the IC. Today’s mask sets contain 50 – 70 (up to 100) photomasks and it takes 15 – 20 hours to write a typical mask. It may take several weeks to prepare a mask-set. Production cycle of a complex FinFET processor is around 90 days from wafer start to chip delivery. As a result, it takes several months to prepare a set of photomasks and build an actual chip nowadays. Hence, if Nvidia taped-out of the GP100 in May, then the company will get the first samples of its GP100 in August. Nowadays high-volume production of chips starts between nine and twelve months after the initial tape-out.
nvidia_artworklatesteyeweb_mid
The world’s No. 1 producer of discrete graphics processors will reportedly use one of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.’s 16nm FinFET fabrication technology to make its “Big Pascal” GPU. Given the timeframe of the tape-out, it is highly likely that Nvidia uses TSMC’s advanced 16nm FinFET+ (CLN16FF+) manufacturing technology. According to the post, the BP100 is Nvidia’s first 16nm FinFET chip and the company has changed its approach to roll-out of new architectures. Instead of starting from simple GPUs and introducing biggest processors quarters after the initial chips, Nvidia will begin to roll-out “Pascal” with the largest chip in the family.

Nvidia’s “Pascal” architecture represents a big leap for the company. Thanks to all-new architecture, the Nvidia's next-gen GPUs will support many new features introduced by DirectX 12+, Vulkan and OpenCL application programming interfaces. The 16nm FinFET process technology will let Nvidia engineers to integrate considerably more stream processors and other execution units compared to today’s GPUs, significantly increasing overall performance. In addition, next-generation graphics processing units from Nvidia will support second-generation stacked high-bandwidth memory (HBM2). The HBM2 will let Nvidia and its partners build graphics boards with 16GB – 32GB of onboard memory and 820GB/s – 1TB/s of bandwidth. For high-performance computing (HPC) applications, the “Big Pascal” chip will integrate NVLink interconnection tech with 80GB/s or higher bandwidth, which will significantly increase performance of “Pascal”-based Tesla accelerators in supercomputers. Moreover, NVLink could bring major improvements to multi-GPU technologies thanks to massive bandwidth for inter-GPU communications. According to Nvidia's estimates, graphics adapters based on “Pascal” architecture should deliver two to ten times higher performance than comparable graphics processors today in peak scenarios.

NVIDIA_Tesla_K80_Dual-GPU_Accelerator_Front

Nvidia needs GP100 chip in order to build next-generation Tesla accelerators for supercomputers. Since “Maxwell” architecture (even the GM200) lacks native support for double precision (DP) FP64 computing, it cannot be used for Tesla cards. As a result, Nvidia currently offers Tesla accelerators featuring GK110 and GK210 chips, which are basically three years old. The release of the “Big Pascal” will help Nvidia to boost sales of Tesla cards for HPC applications.

The accuracy of predictions of the Beyond3D forum member could not be verified, but some of his previous posts indicate that he has access to information that is not yet public. The post in the forum on Friday was republished by 3DCenter, a web-site known for predictions in the field of graphics processing units.

Nvidia did not comment on the news-story.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: On the one hand, the rumour comes from one source without a track record and should be taken with a huge grain of salt. On the other hand, Nvidia needs “Big Pascal” to update Tesla accelerators as soon as possible. If Nvidia wants to release its GP100-based products in mid-2016, then the chip has been taped-out by now.

The post Nvidia’s ‘Big Pascal’ GPU reportedly taped-out, on-track for 2016 launch – rumour first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
https://www.kitguru.net/components/graphic-cards/anton-shilov/nvidias-big-pascal-gpu-reportedly-taped-out-on-track-for-2016-launch-rumour/feed/ 62