NVIDIA said to be selling 128-bit GeForce 8400GS in China

It looks like NVIDIA may have a special treat (of sorts) for gamers in China, as DigiTimes is reporting that the company is now selling a 128-bit version of its GeForce 8400GS in the country, something that apparently wasn't on its original roadmap. According to DigiTimes, "sources at graphics card makers" say that the new chip is "very similar" to NVIDIA's GeForce 8500GT, with the only apparent difference being that it operates at a lower core frequency. Those same sources are also apparently speculating that the "new" 8400GS could in fact simply be GeForce 8500GT chips that did not pass testing and were then downgraded in order to clear them out. For its part, however, NVIDIA doesn't seem to be saying anything about the matter.

[telepheedian @ Aug 15th 2007 2:39PM]

What part of the graphics chip is 128-bit? I thought the 8 series already had a 256 bit memory pipeline?

[melvz @ Aug 15th 2007 3:12PM]

there no 256-bit 8xxx series.. there are only 64, 128, and 384 memory bus

the 8400 series are the only parts were Nvidia was stupid enough to put in 64-bits... its so old school that it makes these cards look like they were made 5yrs ago

[futurepastnow @ Aug 16th 2007 12:48PM]

"there are only 64, 128, and 384 memory bus"

There is also the 320-bit 8800GTS. Only the GTX and Ultra are 384-bit.

[fischju @ Aug 15th 2007 2:49PM]

This card is completely useless. Who buys these? A $60 7600 is more powerful than this. I fail to see how it's a treat in any sense of the word.

[sirnoobius @ Aug 15th 2007 2:52PM]

lol gamers

8400 wont run any games. in fact the 8500 and 8600GT wont either. you want 8600GTS or higher to play games.

[raj @ Aug 15th 2007 3:30PM]

No man....

8600GT has 32 stream processors and 22GBps memory bandwidth. essentially making it a 7600GT with DX10 support. you're telling me 7600GT can't run any games? check your facts before you post.

[Irfan @ Aug 15th 2007 9:05PM]

ive got a 7600GT and it says im using DX 10.0....

[DWells55 @ Aug 16th 2007 2:59AM]

The 8400GS in my laptop runs Halo PC and Counter Strike: Source at 1280x800 with all the settings at their highest and maintains a playable framerate. Benchmarks show it handling games like Quake 4 and Prey at reasonable settings as well. I've found 1024x640 scales pretty nicely on my laptop, so I can always drop down to that resolution and medium settings and probably still manage 30FPS in some newer titles.

Is it a high-performance video card? Nope. But will it run a good selection of current games with reasonably good visuals and playable framerates? Yes. As long as you don't expect miracles out of it, it's a decent card. It's no substitute for a higher-end card, but it's holding me off until I get the money together for a gaming desktop.

[mnmseven @ Aug 16th 2007 9:21AM]

My brother laptop with Intel GMA 950 runs World in Conflict beta just fine.

[RugBurn @ Aug 15th 2007 4:21PM]

I just bought a pc with a 256 8400GS will that be good for most games? What about the high end ones like crysis?

[John @ Aug 15th 2007 4:37PM]

ROFLMAO!!!

[RugBurn @ Aug 15th 2007 4:44PM]

WTF, what kind of answer is that?

[Arjun @ Aug 15th 2007 4:58PM]

The 8400GS will not play most modern games. You'd probably have to go back a year or two to find games that will run satisfactorily. High-end games like Crysis etc. will definitely not run. Upgrade to an 8600GTS or higher for those.

[Miles Pulsford @ Aug 15th 2007 9:51PM]

surprisingly, old cards can often do more then expected, if you dont mind making sacrifices. i wouldnt be surprised if an 8400 could run Crysis, if you crippled the settings enough. it wouldnt be pretty, but i think it could work. 800x600 rez and the like.

[John @ Aug 16th 2007 12:29AM]

Well...the question was whether or not it'd be "good"...

[Alvin @ Aug 15th 2007 5:05PM]

Anyone have experience with the GDDR3 8500GT? It's about $30 cheaper than the 8600GT. Was wondering if I could save some cash while still getting considerable performance.

[Matt @ Aug 15th 2007 6:10PM]

The 8500GT is not really meant for gaming - it's meant for the home theatre crowd that wants full acceleration of h.264 video. Get the 8600GT if you're tight on cash.

[Bigsby @ Aug 15th 2007 8:47PM]

I really think that Nvidia should've instead taken the 8600GTS and put on a 256bit memory bus on it. That's the biggest drawback on teh 8600gts, same as on the 7600s, the small memory bus width just does it no good.

not like a 128 bit interface on the 8400s will do it any good either.

[raj @ Aug 16th 2007 1:36AM]

The problem is, 256-bit bus increases the price significantly. and nVidia are hellbent on making the cards sub $200. just my two cents :)

[Kento @ Aug 15th 2007 9:09PM]

come on! All Gamer in China is using 8800 now, we buy even cheaper in China - compare to other country!
so, who want those ... what 128 bit 8400??

Where all the big brand products making in?? CHINA!!!!

[ram.kandasamy @ Aug 16th 2007 3:22PM]

Despite the fact that the per capita income of Americans is about 6 times that of the Chinese.

[Igor @ Aug 15th 2007 10:27PM]

i dunno about u guys but im going for 7300 GL.

[linto8464 @ May 29th 2008 5:06AM]

hai