The New GeForce 7950 GX2 GPU

On June 5th, 2006, NVIDIA launched a new GeForce 7 series graphics card - the NVIDIA GeForce 7950 GX2!

As its name implies, this is dual-GPU card. Each NVIDIA GeForce 7950 GX2 will feature two G71 GPUs, a 1GB framebuffer, and support for resolutions of up to 2560x1600. Like other G71-based cards, their GPUs are fabricated using the smaller 90nm process technology which was first used in the humble GeForce 7300 GS.

With the recent release of the GeForce 7900 GTX and the GeForce 7900 GT in the recent months, one must wonder where does this new GeForce 7950 GX2 card fit in. According to NVIDIA, this new graphics card is meant to be their top single-slot solution, displacing even the vaunted GeForce 7900 GTX.

The new GeForce 7950 GX2 is priced anywhere from $599 to $649, depending on board manufacturer. This puts it in approximately the same price range as the GeForce 7900 GTX which has an official price range of $499 to $649. But we are pretty sure we will see this new card priced at a premium above the expensive GeForce 7900 GTX.

But even the steep price may not put people off since you are actually getting two G71 GPUs for the price of one. Or is that really the case? Let's find out!

The GeForce 7950 GX2

Usurping the throne of its recently launched brother, the GeForce 7950 GX2 is NVIDIA's new leading-edge single-slot graphics card.

Yes, the GeForce 7900 GTX is no longer the top dog. Many of those who plunked down their hard-earned money for the privilege of owning one just a few months ago must now be banging their heads on the wall.

If you actually "invested" your money in two GeForce 7900 GTX cards to run them in SLI mode though, you can rest assured that you still have the bragging rights. But whether that will last for long is hard to say.

With a price range of $599 to $649, the new GeForce 7950 GX2 card is being targeted squarely at the ATI Radeon X1900 XTX. And if you require even more processing power (or bragging rights!), the GeForce 7950 GX2 will also support Quad SLI.

Unfortunately, support for Quad SLI is not available right now. According to NVIDIA, SLI support for the GeForce 7950 GX2 will only be provided in a future ForceWare release. It is only available initially through authorized system builders like Dell or Alienware.

For all the fuss and interest in Quad SLI, it is important to note that Quad SLI is really not for most users, even hardcore gamers. Unless you have a super-large 30" LCD display that supports the extremely high-definition resolution of 2560x1600 that NVIDIA has been touting, Quad SLI is really pointless. Hence, it makes sense for NVIDIA to push Quad SLI through system integrators.