NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GX2 Dual-GPU Graphic card

NVIDIA's GeForce 9800 GX2 is a dual PCB adaptor that is directly derived from the new GeForce 8800 GT and GTS series based upon the G92 chipset, which was already derived from the initial GeForce 8800 series graphics card. The GeForce 9800 GX2 takes two GeForce 8800 boards, and joins them via internal PCI Express lanes. The GeForce 9800 GX2 is designed to go up against the recently introduced Radeon HD 3870 X2 graphics card from AMD. Since this dual-GPU monster from ATI has become the card to beat, it would be too long before NVIDIA would try to regain their long owned throne as having the fastest graphics card on the market. Yes their GeForce 8800 Ultra took some beating from the AMD dual-GPU edition, which is able to run also in pair to form Quad CrossFire.

Just as the former GeForce 7950 GX2, the GeForce 9800 GX2 card is build up out of two PCB's that are paired up together. So in essence you have a dual-GPU graphics card, based upon the GeForce 8800 power coming from two G92 chipsets. However, only one of these two PCB's has the PCI Express interface connection which will be plugged into the mainboard. This is the design that NVIDIA has used in the past on the GX2 solutions and is still the same as with this GeForce 9800 GX2 version. On the other hand, ATI has taken a different approach and put both RV670 cores of their Radeon HD 3870 X2 on the same PCB which is of course introducing a longer card in the end. As NVIDIA could build on their previous experience the cooling solution of the dual-PCB design has been improved intensively.

This new GeForce 9800 GX2 does look finished as such and better designed than their previous GX2 versions. The card has a decent casing to hold the two PCB firmly together and feels very solid as a whole. From this angle you wouldn't even be able to deduct that this is a dual-GPU edition but actually looks very familiar. By just looking at the casing covering the full graphics card you could find this a more optimized GeForce 8800 Ultra edition which came with a similar cooling solution only going by the looks. From the top and sides you can see as well the venting holes which are required for the air intake, but also to get the hot air out again. We don't know how effective this design will be just from the looks, although the looks of this card is certainly quite attractive and very solid.