ASUS Launches World's First Modularized Graphics Card - Splendid MA3850M 512MB GDDR3

[malware]

Not long ago ASUS demonstrated a concept card called Trinity which had three RV670 GPUS mounted through two daughter boards. Today ASUS is taking this concept a step further with the introduction of the ASUS Splendid MA3850M modulized card that is assumed to be more than a museum piece. The Splendid MA3850M has a modular structure with single ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3850 GPU loaded on a ASUS Splendid HD PCI-Express daughter card that is 27% shorter than an average PCI-E graphics card. Moreover, the card supports ATI's proprietary PowerPlay technology, and ASUSTeK's Splendid HD processor that enhances image and video quality without increasing CPU load. Clocked at 668MHz/1.65GHz core/memory clocks and fueled by 512MB DDR3 and 256-bit memory interface the card will perform on par with other generic HD 3850 video cards. The manufacturer did not announce availability or pricing for this new graphics product, but you can find a little bit more info here (http://asus.com/news_show.aspx?id=11101).

http://www.techpowerup.com/img/08-05-08/news20080506-2_thm.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/img/08-05-08/news20080506-2.jpg)

Source: ASUS (http://asus.com/news_show.aspx?id=11101)

[Mussels]

so its a single video card? no dual card or crossfire?

[InnocentCriminal]

Am I right in thinking you'd be able to swap out the GPU to say a 3870 or even a 4850/70 (if a MXM version is released)?

With a slim cooler these would be ideal for small form factor PCs.

[tkpenalty]

Am I right in thinking you'd be able to swap out the GPU to say a 3870 or even a 4850/70 (if a MXM version is released)?

Yep.

Doesn't seem to need that 6 pin power...

[InnocentCriminal]

HAHAHA f'ing schweeet!

[Ekklesis]

Ya all it's good except ASUS's splendid processor; " com'on " what they thinking it can do, they're just marketing strategy.

[OnBoard]

It all comes down to those MXM modules, will they be available in big e-tailers and what's the price. If it costs more to buy a MXM version of 4850 than the actual HD4850, then this is a really stupid concept :)

Idea is good how ever, almost like swapping out a new CPU to MOBO, although that is often buy a new CPU -> buy a new motherboard. Core 2 is/was although an exception that is/was on the market longer.

[btarunr]

It becomes important that GPU makers maintain the same pin layout. Ofcourse HD3850 and HD3870 are but let's hope the next gen gets the same.

That brings me to the next question, who would sell me a new GPU? ASUS? Maybe they'll sell daughter cards (a PCB with the GPU soldered) but would it be worth the expense?

[Mussels]

and how do you add more ram. if the cards are 256MB, adding a 4870 wont do much.

[jbunch07]

wow thats pretty neat!
so its basicly just limited to mobile gpu's right?

[eidairaman1]

a Mobility 3850 sounds pretty nice, considering Performance Numbers are about the same, also the Mobility parts tend to overclock further.

[PVTCaboose1337]

This is actually one of the neater ideas I have seen. I love it.

[Selene]

but a 3850 is a single slot card, by doing this its now a duel slot card, should run cooler, but most MGPUs are slower then desk top versions, this may not be the case with this one tho.

But as another said, its cool if you can go from a 3850 to a 3870, but what about the new ones, even if it does fit, will the memery be able to keep up?

Its a good idea but i dont think it will fly.

[eidairaman1]

but a 3850 is a single slot card, by doing this its now a duel slot card, should run cooler, but most MGPUs are slower then desk top versions, this may not be the case with this one tho.

But as another said, its cool if you can go from a 3850 to a 3870, but what about the new ones, even if it does fit, will the memery be able to keep up?

Its a good idea but i dont think it will fly.

Certainly wasnt the Case with the Mobility Radeon 9800 256- It was the same performance as the Desktop part i had, and i could overclock further with that than the Desktop Part

That was in a Dell Inspiron XPS/9100 with 2 Gigs of ram and a Gallatin Core P4 3.4

[Selene]

maybe its just Nvidia MGPUs