It seems that this generation
of graphics cards has just about reached its peak with ATIs X850 XT Platinum, announced
recently. It has now been confirmed that nVidia has scrapped plans for an intermediate NV48
board, deeming the 20-30 MHz gain as an insignificant improvement. Strangely enough the NV48
boards were expected by Q1 2005, something which suggests nVidia had a hard time deciding
whether to continue or scrap the project. In the end, the decision to not go down the NV48
road may have to do with a few details of the status of the graphics war this time around.
Due to, much discussed, intricasies of the battle between ATI and nVidia, the latter company
has an edge regarding certain technologies such as Shader Model 3.0 meaning that its
flagship board, 6800 Ultra, cannot be outperformed by any current ATI board in Doom 3 and UT
2004. While you would think that ATI can still claim the speed crown since its X850 XT
Platinum will outperform all rivals in most other games, that remains a matter of opinion.
nVidia's SLI setup, allowing 2 graphics cards to work in unison, may give the U.S. company
an edge, even though that is not a clear card-to-card battle but a comparison of two
systems.
Leaving the politics aside, ATIs X800 XT PE board is expected to clock in at
540/1180 offering a small improvement over the X800 series but also a very small price
increase.
The fll list of new models includes the Radeon X850 XT Platinum Edition,
Radeon X850 XT and Radeon X850 PRO. The boards will offer processing capabilities of a 16
pixel pipe and 6 vertex engine architecture. The new Radeon X800 XL and Radeon X800 products
take the same, Radeon X800-series, features and capabilities and drive them to new, low
price points.
The new Radeon X800-series products will be available in 16 and 12
pixel pipe configurations with a 256-bit memory interface and will feature technologies and
capabilities such as:
- 3Dc technology for increased performance and improved image
detail;
- GDDR3 memory for lightning fast memory speeds;
- VIDEOSHADER HD with
programmable video performance;
- Flexible multi-display options, including dual-DVI for
customers using multiple flat panel displays; and
- VIVO (video-in, video-out) options
for customers wanting to take advantage of the amazing multimedia and video-capture
capabilities of the VPUs.
The Radeon X800 XT Platinum Edition will begin shipping
immediately and the full family of RADEON X800-series products will be available by the end
of the
year.
