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NVIDIA Launches First GeForce GPUs Based on Next-Generation Kepler Architecture

Nvidia launched it’s first GPUs based on it’s next-generation Kepler graphics architecture, we got our hands on the Palit GTX 680 2GB for review, which you can read here.

After investing around 1.8 million man-hours of work over the last five years, Keplers architecture brings unprecedented technical capabilities to both gaming desktops and Ultrabooks.

With desktops getting the faster, smoother and richer experience in the form of the GTX 680. Notebooks and Ultrabooks on the other hand receiving the new line up of GeForce 600M GPU’s, offering smaller and more powerful designs than were previously possible, all if which are now available for purchase.

Brian Helleher, senior vice prisident of GPU engineering at NVIDIA said “The Kepler architecture stands as NVIDIA’s greatest technical achievement to date, It brings enormous performance and exceptional efficiency. Gamers will love the GTX 680’s performance, as well as the fact that it doesn’t require loud fans or exotic power supplies. Ultrabook users will love the GT 600M family for its performance and power efficiency.”

Kepler is based on 28-nanometer (nm) process technology and succeeds the 40-nm NVIDIA Fermi architecture, which was first introduced into the market in March 2010.

Compared with the closest competitive product, the GeForce GTX 680 GPU is more than 300 percent faster in DirectX 11 tessellation performance (Comparing GTX 680 to Radeon HD 7970) and up to 43 percent faster in cutting-edge games such as Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, all the while consuming 28 percent less power. It also provides twice the performance per watt of the GeForce GTX 580, the flagship Fermi-based processor that it replaces.

Setting the standard for future enthusiast-class GPUs, the GeForce GTX 680 is built on an array of new technologies, including:

A new streaming multiprocessor block, known as SMX, that delivers twice the performance per watt of previous-generation products
Special board components, including acoustic dampeners, high-efficiency heat pipes and custom fins, that create a quiet gaming experience
NVIDIA GPU Boost technology, which dynamically adjusts GPU speeds to maximize gaming performance
New FXAA and TXAA antialiasing and Adaptive VSync technologies to enrich visual quality without compromising gaming performance
Support for up to four separate displays (three of them in 3D)
Manufactured on TSMC’s new 28-nm process, with support for PCI-E Gen 3 and DX11.1

Kelt Reeves, president of Falcon Northwest, a leading producer of high-end gaming systems, said: “The GTX 680 lays down what should be whiplash-inducing speed at the sound of a whisper. Even at full throttle, it doesn’t heat up. In the immortal words of Obi-Wan describing a lightsaber, it’s ‘an elegant weapon for a more civilized age.'”

Mark Rein, vice president of Epic Games, creators of the award-winning Unreal Engine and billion-dollar “Gears of War” franchise, said: “The GTX 680 is amazing and completely redefines what an enthusiast-class GPU is. We have already shown outstanding success with the GTX 680, recently presenting our real-time Samaritan demonstration running on it along with a special preview of Unreal Engine 4 for select developers.”

GeForce 600M GPU Family: Putting the “Ultra” In Ultrabooks The NVIDIA GeForce 600M family of GPUs, when paired with the latest processor technology from Intel, enables Ultrabook and notebook PC designs that are thin, light and fast. Technological advances that set them apart from the competition include:

NVIDIA Optimus(TM) technology enables extra-long battery life by automatically switching the GPU on and off so it runs only when needed
NVIDIA Verde(TM) notebook drivers provide frequent performance improvements and rock-solid stability
NVIDIA PhysX(R) engine support brings games to life with realistic physics
Optional NVIDIA 3D Vision(TM) technology automatically converts more than 650 titles into immersive 3D
Optional NVIDIA 3DTV Play(TM) software connects 3D Vision-based notebooks to 3D TVs
NVIDIA SLI(R) technology links two NVIDIA GTX GPUs up to double gaming performance

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 GPU is available now from the world’s leading add-in card suppliers, including ASUS, Colorful, EVGA, Gainward, Galaxy, Gigabyte, Innovision 3D, MSI, Palit, Point of View, PNY, and Zotac. Expected pricing is around $499.

“NVIDIA once again proves to be the ultimate visual innovator and the GeForce GTX 680 is no exception. More frame rates, less power consumption, improved acoustics and great price point is a perfect combination for any enthusiasts and professionals alike. AVADirect is excited to participate in GTX 680 launch and looks forward to a great partnership with NVIDIA to bring tremendous value for its customers across the market place.” Misha Troshin, CMO of AVADirect

For more details we spoke to Tom from Nvidia recently, who was nice enough to walk us through some of these amazing new features at the Nvidia press event, which you can see the video of below.

For those of you keen to embrace the next step in graphics technology, you can purchase the EVGA GeForce® GTX 680 1006MHz, 2GB today from AVADIRECT.COM today. As it’s worth noting that AVADirect is one of the first to launch the GTX 680 in retail stores, as found here.

Peter Donnell

As a child still in my 30's (but not for long), I spend my day combining my love of music and movies with a life-long passion for gaming, from arcade classics and retro consoles to the latest high-end PC and console games. So it's no wonder I write about tech and test the latest hardware while I enjoy my hobbies!