In this post I will be referring to upcoming series as “GeForce 11”. However, based on my current knowledge, it has not yet been decided whether the new series are 11 or 20.
GeForce 11-series launching in September
According to multiple sources, NVIDIA will launch the new series in September. We are talking about a hard launch (availability) here. There is a chance that NVIDIA will unveil new series already in August. There are at least two events where this could happen, starting with Gamescom. However, it remains unclear if all those events are public or for press only.
GeForce 11 rollout would begin with GeForce GTX 1180, which would be followed by GTX 1170 and GTX 1160 a month later.
Nvidia reportedly is set to roll out its GeForce GTX 1180 series graphics cards at the end of August, followed by the launch of its GeForce GTX 1170 series at the end of September and GeForce GTX 1160 series a month later, according to industry sources.
GeForce 11-series GPUs are 12nm manufactured at TSMC
In a report by DigiTimes, we can also read that NVIDIA will launch GeForce 11 series using 12nm architecture. The chips would be fabbed by TSMC.
Interestingly the website also claims that 7nm GPUs from NVIDIA will be available later this year as well. This might refer to the HPC market.
Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 1180 is manufactured via Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s (TSMC) 12nm process and the GPU giant reportedly will release a GPU made using TSMC’s 7nm process at the end of 2018.
GeForce 11-series could ditch DVI interface in favor of VirtualLink
According to a rumor from Chiphell (something that actually makes sense), the new series would no longer have DVI connectors. This was long speculated (and expected), as new monitors require much higher bandwidths. The DVI connector is neither capable of providing that bandwidth nor physically small.
In exchange, VirtualLink Type C connector would be implemented. In case you missed the story, both AMD and NVIDIA are collaborating to provide new display connection standard for Virtual Reality head-mounted displays.
The DVI connectors are certainly a thing of a past, but this should not prevent board partners from making their own cards with DVI connectors installed. At worst you would have to buy an adapter.
This isn’t the only display connection standard that would be upgraded. According to the previous rumor, HDMI 2.1 support would also be present for GeForce 11 series.
There are a few other tidbits that I would like to share with you. Starting with TDP ranges, pricing and performance estimate. However, because I heard conflicting information from various sources, I will do my best to confirm as much as possible first.