NVIDIA Announces the GoForce 5500 GPU

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.nvidia.com/object/IO_29464.html' target='_blank'>http://www.nvidia.com/object/IO_29464.html</a><br /><br /></div><i>"NVIDIA Corporation (Nasdaq: NVDA), the worldwide leader in programmable graphics processor technologies, today unveiled the NVIDIA GoForce 5500 handheld graphics processing unit (GPU)—the industry's first handheld GPU to enable true, fluid digital TV, high-fidelity surround sound, rapid multi-shot photography, and console-class 3D graphics. For many years, these capabilities have been the domain of function-specific devices such as the home entertainment system, the digital still camera, or the Sony Playstation. Today, this new GPU brings all these features, and more, to the mobile phone."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20060213-GoForce5500.jpg" /><br /><br />NVIDIA officially announced the GoForce 5500 at 3GSM today. This low-power GPU for handheld devices boasts stunning graphic performance, which EA and id Software will test today with high-profile titles such as "Need for Speed: Most Wanted" and "Quake III Arena".

[Constant Caffeine]

This is great. The next step will be for PDA manufactures to increase internal memory in the GB realm.

[Dermot81]

I always see nvidia releasing these new GoForce chips, but I've never actually seen them being used in any PDA/smartphone/phone?

[Darius Wey]

I always see nvidia releasing these new GoForce chips, but I've never actually seen them being used in any PDA/smartphone/phone?

I'm making a news post later in the day that might suggest otherwise. :)

[whydidnt]

This is great. The next step will be for PDA manufactures to increase internal memory in the GB realm.

I hope your right. As I read the press release, I was thinking "Gee, if only an OEM would actually manufacture a device with sufficient Available RAM to run Quake III." :? By all accounts it takes a large memory footprint -- around 30 MB's. Most 64 MB WM5 devices won't offer sufficient RAM to run it, even if the graphics processor can keep up.

[Kacey Green]

maybe it will reduce the need to carry a PSP if you've got one of these installed

[Fishie]

maybe it will reduce the need to carry a PSP if you've got one of these installed

There is no need to carry a PSP as is.
The rare times when I play mine I play it at home, on the road my PPC and DS hold me company.

[Typhoon]

What it won't do: get the attention of developers to turn it into a viable game market with console quality games.

What it will do: allow the extremely few emulator developers to produce faster graphics games

[hidefguy]

I'm making a news post later in the day that might suggest otherwise. :)

.. did I miss the announcement? A new cell phone with the 5500?

[Darius Wey]

.. did I miss the announcement? A new cell phone with the 5500?

No. Rather, a combined GoForce 5500 + DiBcom DIB7000H graphics/TV solution for handhelds with a ready-to-go Windows CE 5.0 driver set. Theoretically, any OEM can integrate that hardware combo into their Windows Mobile-based devices with minimal effort. I'm hoping it happens. Fingers crossed. :)

[tamoochin]

I think there is a misunderstanding here.because you can not play need for speed most wanted with nvidia geforce 5500 in a pc.i am using nvidia 6600 GT and still the frame rates in high quality mode are low.

[Darius Wey]

I think there is a misunderstanding here.because you can not play need for speed most wanted with nvidia geforce 5500 in a pc.i am using nvidia 6600 GT and still the frame rates in high quality mode are low.

You're comparing apples and oranges here. The GoForce 5500 is hardly related to the GeForce FX 5500; one is a mobile GPU, the other is a desktop GPU. NVIDIA has chosen a different model numbering sequence for both, and what you see here with the use of 5500 in both the GeForce and the GoForce is merely a coincedence.

And at the end of the day, there will be different versions of NFS - namely, one optimised for the desktop, and one optimised for the handheld.