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***THE NEW KING - GTX 590 IS HERE!***

its not about safe, the card looks like it was just drawing way to much power, power = current x voltage. Thats a 20% increase(though that in itself isn't "that" massive), process/core wise, AMD chips have zero problem at 1.2v, 1.3v is more than fine on decent air. The problem is just how much power Fermi's chug, a small voltage increase when you've got a heavy current usage means significant power increases quickly.

Ultimately 1.2v is a bit daft, but then again, Nvidia should have protection circuitry to prevent a dangerous voltage draw, as we move into crazy powerful gpu's AMD seems to have the more complete power circuitry thats complete but changeable within limits, Nvidia's driver based limiting of 2 programs isn't it, Furmark but can't remember the other "power virus" they've blocked out isn't going to cut it for long.

It does seem like the power circuitry should have a larger safety margin than it appears to have in terms of overvolting and fairly basic bits blowing.

I did say a few days ago, compare and stock and at max overclocks, the thing that could hold back Nvidia is potentially heat though thats less of an issue, getting the same power as 580gtx sli into one pcb and one set of components could easily be the limit.
 
Rroff said:
1.15v isn't "fine" its the upper end of the spectrum... tho I do agree its a bit insane if +0.05 fries the card that close to the upper level.
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Thing is though, it doesn't bode well for the general reliability of the card even with modest voltage tweaks. @ 1.2v the card dies in minutes/hours but at 1.087 who knows? it might just take days/weeks.
 
Ejizz said:
Thing is though, it doesn't bode well for the general reliability of the card even with modest voltage tweaks. @ 1.2v the card dies in minutes/hours but at 1.087 who knows? it might just take days/weeks.
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The card didn't die in minutes or hours from what I read it more like seconds, they put the voltage to 1.2v and pffft there goes the card! The card does have protection circuitry it just didn't seem to work.

Here's their conclusion Re:performance
'When directly comparing GTX 590 and HD 6990, it is difficult to find many clear wins for the GTX 590. It does emit a good deal less noise but is still noisy, all the other comparisons are either a draw or win for the HD 6990'.
 
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Ejizz said:
Thing is though, it doesn't bode well for the general reliability of the card even with modest voltage tweaks. @ 1.2v the card dies in minutes/hours but at 1.087 who knows? it might just take days/weeks.
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As DM said I think the problem is trying to get that much power into one card. Been running my GTX470s at 1.087 for ages with no problems and so have a lot of other people running 400/500 series cards.
 
^^^

I did also with my 470 & 460, but clearly Nvidia struggled to engineer this card considering these issues, and have only done so in an attempt to take back the performance crown, which they failed, so ultimately the card doesn't really make much sense, and won't make any sense when AIB's upgrade 6990's with custom coolers.
 
Stanners said:
But as we see in chess it is the queen that holds all the power ;)

Joking aside why would anyone get the 6990 or 590 when you can have two 6950s for £380 unless you are pci-e limited.
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Most likely people that want to try tri or quad crossfire/sli. I don't think nv can do tri sli using a dual card with a single card though.
 
juno_first said:
Hmm, maybe 2x 480 could be quicker than a 590 and a lot cheaper too.

Id be tempted towards the 6990 if it had PhysX, oh does Crysis2 use PhysX?
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I don't believe so.
http://developer.nvidia.com/object/physx_good_company.html

Now the fact those games make use of it does not indicate that it is used well/convincingly or that it will even be noticed. Most think its a useless gimmick but i'm sure some like it, its up to you to figure out if its worth it.
 
Gerard said:


:eek:

They mention the following:

IMPORTANT: The supplied Geforce Drivers 267.52 for Geforce GTX 590 will not stop the card from overheating when overclocking. Please use newer versions from the Nvidia website and stay away from 267.52. Otherwise this may happen ...
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Wow and AMD are supposed to be the ones with bad drivers! :-)
 
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