Nvidia has launched two new high-end graphics cards, the GeForce GTX 980 and the GeForce GTX 970.
If you’re thinking of building your own cutting edge gaming PC rig any time soon, it’s likely that the new duo will figure in your component deliberations. They’re a couple of powerhouses.
Build on Maxwell architecture, they’re also surprisingly energy efficient. But you don’t really want to hear about that, do you?
The blurb reckons that the GTX 980 and 970 feature Voxel Global Illumination (VXGI) technology, which means that they can deliver real-time dynamic global illumination for the first time.
Nvidia’s not done there for cool-sounding technology – how about multi-frame sampled antialiasing (MFAA), dynamic super resolution (DSR), and VR Direct.
Wait, VR as in virtual reality? Yep, the new GTX 980 and 970 are ready for the virtual reality future. Apparently, when you hook up a VR headset like Oculus Rift, multiple GPUs can be assigned a specific eye to render the stereo images faster. They also contain technology to cut latency between moving your head and the game world perspective shifting accordingly.
Nvidia also says that its new cards will improve game compatibility with VR devices, and even allow gamers to get the VR experience on headsets that weren’t designed for it.
Both the GeForce GTX 980 and 970 are available now through card suppliers including ASUS, Colorful, EVGA, Gainward, Galaxy, Gigabyte, Innovision 3D, MSI, Palit, PNY and Zotac. Pricing starts at $549 (£334) for the GTX 980 and $329 (£199) for the GTX 970.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
