The codename for the card was wrongly reported as the G96 - that will be the 9500GT chip - instead the card is based on the G94 and the previous specs do hold up since the latest report.
It has a 256-bit interface with the memories at 1800MHz, the same as the 8800GT, and the core runs at 650MHz. The 64 shaders are also well, clocked at 1625MHz, making the card a very fierce competitor with both the 8800GS and ATi's HD3850, as one can see from the benchmarks.
The card is also undeniably close to the performance of the 8800GT, which scores around 12000 in 3DMark 2006.
Nvidia will probably end up replacing the 8800GT with this card and while pricing should be below $200 for the 512MB part, that is still subject to confirmation as we approach the release date - February 14th.
Overclocking on this card will be very interesting since it's by no means bandwidth limited and Nvidia's 65nm chips, like the G92, reaches close to 800MHz with not much effort. A simplified design like the G94 will surely yield a bigger headroom, as the heat produced goes down significantly.
A card like this is what we get when Nvidia puts their effort in building something that has to run Crysis decently with a mainstream card. The pressure from ATi with the HD3800 line, which has revealed to have performance and price to compete in the sub-$200 market, has increased the need for a very high performance product, something that didn't come true when the disappointing 8600GTS was released.
What's left to look at is the number of ROPs but that hasn't revealed to be in short supply, judging by the performance of the card. The lack of DX10.1 doesn't seem of a concern for the useful lifespan of the card.
More benchmarks here.
Keywords: Nvidia 9600GT 512MB G94 9600 GT review 3dmark 2006 crysis
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