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In previous reviews I have said this before and
I'll say it once more: what is the ULTRA compared to a plain 'normal' GeForce2
GTS ? Basically three items:
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Faster chipset Core
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Fast ~4ns DDR memory
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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. To put it bluntly the GPU can process more data than it's 333MHz
memory (GeForce2 GTS) 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
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. (yes, GeForce3 still has not hit
retail yet - March 20, 2001)
When we take a closer look at the Ultra from
OCZ 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.
If I would hand out a 3D Blaster Ultra, Gladiac Ultra or Titan II in your hands,
and ruled out the extra fan, you could not tell me which card belongs to what
manufacturer.
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