As nVidia prepares for the formal launch of its newest chip, codenamed NV25, Morex a French distributor has presented details of two cards carrying the chip. The company's website features the GeForce4 MX-440 by Abit and Leadtek. Both cards are reported as carrying a 275 MHz graphics processing unit (GPU) and 64 Mb of double data rate (DDR) memory. Although both cards have the same model name the Abit card is reported to have its memory runing at 250 MHz, while the Leadtek card at 200 MHz. Considering that the MX line of the new chip will be on the low end of the performance spectrum, it can be deduced that the GeForce4 will offer a significant speed improvement. The fastest current card is the GeForce3 Ti 500, which features a 240MHz GPU and 250MHz DDR memory.
The full GeForce4 range is expected to include the 420, the 440 and the 460 as well as a Ti 4600 and a Ti 4400.
According to various fan site reports the new cards will feature the following specs:
MX 420 Core Speed 250MHz and 166MHz DDR memory.
MX 440 Core Speed 275MHz and 200MHz DDR memory.
MX 460 Core Speed 300MHz and 275MHz DDR memory.
Ti 4400 4x AGP support, Core Speed 275MHz and 128 Mb of 300MHz DDR memory.
Ti 4600 8x AGP support, Core Speed 300MHz and 128 Mb of 350MHz DDR memory.
These are leaked details and await official confirmation by nVidia.
ATI is also preparing its own next generation chip which will be in direct competition with the GeForce4. ATI's chip will reportedly offer full DirectX 9 support while it seems unlikely that nVidia will manage to offer that in their new cards. Details of the ATI cards may be found here
