The Technology from A to Z

In previous reviews I have said this before and I'll say it once more:  what is the the ULTRA compared to a plain 'normal' GeForce2 GTS ? Basically three items:

  1. Faster chipset Core
  2. Fast 4ns DDR memory
  3. Freakishly expensive !

The Ultra is equipped with a new model Graphics Processing Unit. It's exactly the same technology as the GeForce2 GPU but it's running faster at the core and memory frequency. The GeForce2 GTS is clocked at a default core frequency of 200 MHz, the Ultra is 20% faster with a 250 MHz core frequency.  

As you probably have learned from our previous GeForce2 reviews, the biggest problem of the GeForce2 is memory bandwidth limitation. The put it bluntly the GPU can process more data than it's 333MHz memory can coop with. So, how can a faster core benefit the new Ultra while memory is a huge limitation ? Simple, they have installed a new and faster type DDR memory on the Ultra to partly eliminate the bandwidth issue. The Gladiac Ultra is equipped with no less than 460 MHz DDR (Double Data Rate) memory modules. Combine these facts together and you'll have the worlds fastest consumer videocard to date in your hands.

When we take a closer look at the Ultra we can see that it's based up-on the reference design from NVIDIA. Basically a lot of boards from different manufacturers/distributors are actually the same. Our previous Ultra review was ELSA's Gladiac. Can you point out the difference ? Even better, tell me which one is from Creative ?



One of them is from Creative the other one from ELSA

The videocard on the left side actually the Creative 3D Blaster GeForce2 Ultra, the most right one is the ELSA Gladiac Ultra. There are some really tiny minor differences on the videocard but basically it's the same all over again which makes you wonder what brand to choose from and why you should choose it.

All memory modules have been plated with a heatsink and the GPU is being cooled by a huge active heatsink combo which tells us that the card is running extremely hot or either was made to overclock. My guess is the first option actually.

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