NVIDIA GeForce GTX 295 Unleashed

We couldn't help but pull a GeForce GTX 295 apart upon its arrival in the lab. With dual 448-bit memory interfaces, a pair of GT200B GPUs, and 1.792GB of frame buffer memory, the GeForce GTX 295 is arguably the most complex, single desktop graphics adapters ever designed. And no, the Voodoo 3 6000 doesn't count--it was never officially released. 

      


     


     
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 295 Disassembled

As you can see, with the GeForce GTX 295, each GPU (and its frame buffer memory) resides on its own PCB. And sandwiched in between the PCBs is a single, large heatsink and fan that cools the GPUs and RAM. The rear of each PCB features a cut-out that allows air to be pulled in from either side, where it is funneled through the center of the card and ultimately exhausted from the system. The entire assembly, with the exception of the backside of the second PCB, is encased in a perforated, metal shell that not only protects the components inside, but also helps dissipate heat.

Running along the bottom of the card, towards the case bracket at the front, a ribbon cable is visible. This cable is an SLI bridge connector that links the two GPUs on the card. And on each PCB the large heatspreader installed on the 55nm GT200B GPU is the most dominant feature, surrounded by 14 GDDR3 memory chips.

OK, not to put this thing back together--there's a couple dozen tiny screws laying around here somewhere...