While Creative has yet to formally announce a TNT2 based product, Mr. Mosher has shed some much needed light on the technical and business practices behind speed binning, clock speed yields, component qualification and his take on why the Voodoo3 3500 has to be released later than the 2000 and 3000. While we may infer the same reasoning on the Ultra TNT2 availability as compared to the TNT2, he did not mention that. He also has a bit of trouble recalling the actual name of the 3dfx product (Banshee 2?) that is the top speed competitor for the TNT2 and uses his own mudball catapult to good effect here and there.

These minor flaws aside, it must be said how refreshing it is to hear some sensible straight talk on some of these issues instead of the usual marketspeak. So if you are interested in these and other pressures confronting the top competitors in the graphics board business at the last part of the 20th century (and have the recommended raincoat, galoshes and good humor), proceed…

Sharky Extreme: Creative has been quiet on the TNT2 topic but can you confirm that you'll be doing a TNT2 based product?

Steve Mosher: "We have obviously been out showing a TNT2 board at several places, at some web sites, in Europe at CeBIT. We have just not made a formal announcement. I wouldn't try to read anything into us not making a formal announcement".

Sharky Extreme: TNT2 versus Ultra TNT2. Is there an important distinction to make between the two?

Steve Mosher: "There is a distinction between the two. The Ultra is clocked faster than the regular TNT2. Is this important? We know that there is a strong community of end users who want no compromise performance and quality. They won't settle for 16-bit rendering or 16MB frame buffers. They want the fastest, best looking card. Period. So for them this importance is critical. In the end, the customer is always right. Having said that we also recognize that there are people who would rather spend less and get performance that is a close second place. This customer might be the guy who doesn't care about the difference between 110 FPS and 105 FPS, but who does care about spending an extra thirty or forty dollars. Choice is a wonderful thing.

In any case, any TNT2 or Ultra TNT2 will outperform the Banshee2. Not only will it outperform it, but you will be able to buy it in a higher memory configuration (32 MB) at a lower cost. Everyone needs to remember what 3dfx said when they acquired STB "We wanted to keep our prices high". Well, they told the truth."