Earlier this week it transpired that Nvidia had begun to make use of new revisions of its AD103 and AD104 graphics processors for GeForce RTX 4080 and GeForce RTX 4070 add-in-boards (AIBs). Some thought the brand new revisions would possibly scale back energy consumption and/or improve yields, which might have an effect on prices of precise playing cards. However Igor’s Lab claims that the brand new GPUs solely have a built-in comparator for followers, which may have little impact on bill-of-materials (BOM) AIB prices.
Nvidia’s AD103-300 (used for GeForce RTX 4080) and AD104-250 (used for GeForce RTX 4070 and RTX 4070 Ti) graphics processing items require makers of graphics playing cards so as to add a comparator circuit which ensures that followers rotate on the proper velocity by evaluating followers PWM sign with precise values, in response to Igor’s Lab. The brand new AD104-251 and AD103-301 combine the comparator into the GPU, which signifies that AIBs now not want to hold exterior comparator circuitry.
Comparator circuitry could be very low cost, so its removing won’t have an effect on BOM prices of precise graphics playing cards considerably, however board makers will most likely nonetheless be desperate to take away it and lower their prices — even by a bit. The financial savings from this removing will most likely not be handed to the top person, nonetheless. In truth, since producers must develop new PCB designs for AD104-251 and AD103-301 GPUs, which prices cash, they won’t be desperate to decrease their costs.
In truth, it’s quite shocking that Nvidia determined to repair such a small bug like a disabled comparator utilizing a brand new silicon revision in any respect (assuming that that is what occurred as we all know it from unofficial experiences). Contemplating how advanced trendy GPU designs are, it’s extra possible for graphics processors builders to implement fixes that improve their yields or no less than decrease variability. In the meantime, for each eventualities chip designers desire to make small changes to course of expertise itself quite than introduce adjustments to precise silicon.
It ought to be famous that Nvidia has not formally disclosed variations between its AD103-251 and AD104-301 in addition to AD103-250 and AD104-300 GPUs, so any details about this ought to be taken with a grain of salt. Additionally, an built-in comparator will not be the one change. For now it appears just like the newer chips supply the identical efficiency because the older ones, so there isn’t a want to make sure that you get the brand new one.
On the finish of the day, all GeForce RTX 4070 Ti and GeForce RTX 4080 graphics boards are nonetheless amongst the finest graphics playing cards obtainable right now.