ATI's New Leader in Graphics Performance: The Radeon X1900 Series
by Derek Wilson & Josh Venning on January 24, 2006 12:00 PM EST- Posted in
- GPUs
Not Quite Ready: The Ultimate Gamer Platform, RD580
Today's launch was actually supposed to be even more impressive as ATI was planning on debuting their brand new chipset, the RD580 (which we previewed here), to serve as the ultimate gamer's platform with which to run their new R580 GPU. However thanks to ATI's newfound focus on availability, the RD580 launch was pushed back to coincide with actual availability of product. So while today's tests are done on a RD480 motherboard, the real platform of choice, especially for CrossFire users, is supposed to be the RD580.
We are expecting to have RD580 samples in the coming months and you can expect retail availability around the same time, but until then we will have to do with last year's platform.
Today's launch was actually supposed to be even more impressive as ATI was planning on debuting their brand new chipset, the RD580 (which we previewed here), to serve as the ultimate gamer's platform with which to run their new R580 GPU. However thanks to ATI's newfound focus on availability, the RD580 launch was pushed back to coincide with actual availability of product. So while today's tests are done on a RD480 motherboard, the real platform of choice, especially for CrossFire users, is supposed to be the RD580.
Click to enlarge.
We are expecting to have RD580 samples in the coming months and you can expect retail availability around the same time, but until then we will have to do with last year's platform.
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Orbs - Wednesday, January 25, 2006 - link
I didn't see any comparisons between X1900 XT CrossFire and X1900 XTX CrossFire, except for the comments at the end of the article saying diminishing returns resulting in even smaller a gap in CrossFire than the XTX had over the XT to begin with.With the exception of 1 B&W2 test (which I suspect is a typo), the graphs all show the X1800 XT vs. the X1900 XTX. Those are two different generations, not just clock speeds.
poohbear - Tuesday, January 24, 2006 - link
I LOVE competition.:)poohbear - Tuesday, January 24, 2006 - link
especially GOOD competition.:0Aquila76 - Tuesday, January 24, 2006 - link
Nice. Maybe we'll start seeing some real developments in GPU's again. Right now, it's more of a 'do what we've been doing but faster', maybe we'll start seeing some new innovations in video tech in the coming year (adding physics processing, wider encoding capabilities, etc.).Spoelie - Thursday, January 26, 2006 - link
The x.00 line was more of the same yeah, but the x1.00 line is architecturally a pretty large step forward, finally on par with nvidia where it really needed to and a few steps ahead in other areas. If only they gave it more ROPs/Texture engines.Phantronius - Tuesday, January 24, 2006 - link
And the shitty cycle of upgrading continues.Capt Caveman - Tuesday, January 24, 2006 - link
And available at a good price. Way to go ATI.gimpsoft - Tuesday, January 24, 2006 - link
nice scores on ATI but i still have my 6800GT ill wait until next 2 gen i see we can now play respectable 40 frames + @ 19200X1400 nice to know when 1080p tv are outdon't know either that or get a PS3 will see =) it's getting way to expensive.
bamacre - Tuesday, January 24, 2006 - link
WTF is your idea of "good price?" I see X1900 XT starting at $550 to $605 per card.Capt Caveman - Tuesday, January 24, 2006 - link
Digitally Unique has the X1900XT for $525 and Actbuy had them for $504. Based on performance, these cards offer a great bang for your buck. And this is coming from a GTX 512 owner.