*OFFICIAL* ATI Radeon X800 Pre-Launch Thread

[Dean]

Originally posted by: RussianSensation

Originally posted by: UlricT

does ATi deliver all their review cards by hand?? I would think it is for a sit-down talk to explain the architecture in more detail (meaning more info for us )

Yeah they dont have enough money to afford shiny silver locked bullet-proof cases in Canada. So instead they send the RCMP along with the ATI representative to deliver the card. Nah they won't discuss what ATI card offers, after the Canadians bring up some Molson Canadian, Keiths and Labatt Blue up there Anand will forget everything technical. Besides who cares when ATI delivers 16734 in 3dMark03.......ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh i wish it did when Anand was sober then we'll all get smashed to celebrate.

Yummmmm!! Alexander Keiths, India Pale Ale. I'll take one over a r420xt or nv40 right now!

well almost

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
R420 > NV40?

It's possible...

I've always said that it doesn't make sense to upgrade your video card until you've seen what both manufacturers have put forth. This methodology works extremely well since ATI and NVIDIA have relatively similarly timed product cycles. I've seen a number of people preparing to upgrade their computers based on the GeForce 6800 Ultra results we've published recently, but what I'd caution here is the same thing we've been saying for a long time - wait. At worst, you'll wait less than a month and be greeted with another NV30, at best, you'll save yourself some money

I won't tell you which one the outcome will be, but I'd just caution you to wait, just a little bit longer - we're finally upon the home stretch. Now if we could only get some good next-generation content to take advantage of these cards

Now that I have a TT 480w PS, wouldn't it be "funny" if the r420 needs 500w. :roll:

(it wont')

And I gotta wait anyway . . . it isn't like there is ANY choice . . .

 

[SilentRunning]

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
R420 > NV40?

It's possible...

I've always said that it doesn't make sense to upgrade your video card until you've seen what both manufacturers have put forth. This methodology works extremely well since ATI and NVIDIA have relatively similarly timed product cycles. I've seen a number of people preparing to upgrade their computers based on the GeForce 6800 Ultra results we've published recently, but what I'd caution here is the same thing we've been saying for a long time - wait. At worst, you'll wait less than a month and be greeted with another NV30, at best, you'll save yourself some money

I won't tell you which one the outcome will be, but I'd just caution you to wait, just a little bit longer - we're finally upon the home stretch. Now if we could only get some good next-generation content to take advantage of these cards

Now that I have a TT 480w PS, wouldn't it be "funny" if the r420 needs 500w. :roll:

(it wont')

And I gotta wait anyway . . . it isn't like there is ANY choice . . .

Yeah that wait comment by Anand makes absolutely no sense because as far as I know Nvidia isn't going to be selling cards before then........or did I miss something. And as for the comment about being greeted by another NV30 well that can't happen because, unlike Nvidia, ATI hasn't been releasing statements for 6 months about how much better their card is going to perform. Actually I have yet to read anything about the r420 that is a verifiable fact.....well except for that ATI designed the chip.


EDIT

April 20 weblog Anand says

I've got less than two weeks left of regular class before exams start...

April 21 weblog Anand says

...while I'm taking exams you all will be reading about what Derek and I met with ATI about.

 

[RussianSensation]

Originally posted by: SilentRunning

I won't tell you which one the outcome will be, but I'd just caution you to wait, just a little bit longer - we're finally upon the home stretch. Now if we could only get some good next-generation content to take advantage of these cards - Anand
---------------------------------------------
Yeah that wait comment by Anand makes absolutely no sense because as far as I know Nvidia isn't going to be selling cards before then........or did I miss something. And as for the comment about being greeted by another NV30 well that can't happen because, unlike Nvidia, ATI hasn't been releasing statements for 6 months about how much better their card is going to perform. Actually I have yet to read anything about the r420 that is a verifiable fact.....well except for that ATI designed the chip.

In my eyes, the comment clearly implies "do not base your purchasing decision or become biased towards an NV40 product line just yet until you have weighed all the cards and have seen what the competition brings to the table." Furthermore, I believe that it illustrates that a lot of people have underestimated ATI's ability to bring forth a competitive product based on the fact that it lacks PS3.0 support and is simply a rehash of the old architecture; thus plagued by lower efficiency per clock cycle. As a result many people simply dismiss ATI's next lineup as a competitive product, not just on this forum, but across the spectrum of several major reviewers who have implied in their sense that ATI is unlikely to make strides in the same fashion as Nvidia, due to 6800Ultra extraordinary ability to distance itself significantly from the previous generation (an unmatched feat by any other transition between 2 generations as previous history shows).

Secondly, the comment about being greeted by NV30 can be interpreted in a completely opposite fashion as at first comes to mind. You see Nvidia was bragging about NV30 as being the next best thing, yet it was a severe let down in the eyes of the loyal customers and technical critics alike. Anand is insinuating that just because a company has laid all of its cards on the table and provided claims of unparalleled performance, it does not mean that it will be able to deliver upon those promises. As such, ATI's strategy of remaining quiet and not disclosing crucial information could prove to be vital in their quest for delivering equally astounding results, while capitalizing on the element of suprise which could prove to be an ace in their deck of cards.

Then again English isn't my first language, but it seems you and I have read his comments a lot differently.

Just my 2 cents.

EDIT: Since we have to wait just 5 more days before being able to evaluate just how well a 12 pipeline solution stacks up, I think it is wise to stop speculating at this point because the hard facts and benchmarks are so close. I am taking a wait and see approach and may the best product win.

 

[apoppin]

It's a blog. :roll:

You're not supposed to "read" anything into it (did you notice he is being deliberately 'vague' *)
(HOWever, we ALREADY know the NV40 is NOT "NV30" [NOT DISappointing in ANY way]; THEREFORE only the r420 could be "NV30" [i.e. 'a disappointment']


The ONLY "choice" TODAY is a 5950Ultra OR a Radeon 9800XT; both of them are now WAY OVERpriced compared to the new 'stuff' coming out next month . . . you'd be mad to spend over $300 for a top-performing card now.

As to not picking the nV40 over the r420 . . . it's IMpossible as NEITHER are available to the consumer . . . and as to "preparing my rig for nV40", i bet the "prep" is identical to preparing for r420 (saving cash and upgrading PS).




(* that's so he doesn't hurt ati fan's feelings when the r420 turns out to be less than expected)

:roll:

 

[XBoxLPU]

Originally posted by: SilentRunning



EDIT

April 20 weblog Anand says

I've got less than two weeks left of regular class before exams start...

April 21 weblog Anand says

...while I'm taking exams you all will be reading about what Derek and I met with ATI about.

Yep that seems right on with this

NDA lifts on May 4th!

 

[gsellis]

I just put 2 and 2 together and it will be fun! Headed to WinHEC, which starts May 3rd. ATI is holding a party. nVidia has a gaming kiosk. The ATI thing is on the 4th. Hmmm.... I think I may have some fun at this WinHEC.

Interesting log post by Anand again regarding the waiting to get a card. Just after he received the ATI card too. That can let the imagination run wild.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Looks like a one-slot, one-molex solution to me...

 

[high]

they are both going to be absolutely revolutionary cards.... and I am a fanboy ofnvidia and ATI, so I say enjoy.

 

[GTaudiophile]

BTW, the entire article with more interesting pics can be read HERE!

 

[wizdum]

??????????ATi?Radeon X800???????? 0.13???Low-K???????ATi?????????????????????????????????????????????????Radeon X800?????????????Radeon X800????Janus??????????????????????????????????????????GDDR 3?????

what an interesting article... Seems as if it will have a 0.13 micron process.... hmm... use GDDR 3.... uhh looks good too.

 

[Dean]

The Radeon pic looks single slot, but looks can be deceiving. The cooler gives an appearance of being deeper than the 9800xt's. If you look at it closely, a PCI card under that big fan could impede its airflow. I look at the new Radeon as a 2-slot solution and the NV40 reference boards possibly a 3-slot if you take airflow into consideration.

 

[SithSolo1]

Originally posted by: Dean
The Radeon pic looks single slot, but looks can be deceiving. The cooler gives an appearance of being deeper than the 9800xt's. If you look at it closely, a PCI card under that big fan could impede its airflow. I look at the new Radeon as a 2-slot solution and the NV40 reference boards possibly a 3-slot if you take airflow into consideration.

No, wait looks like a six-slot solution, you need about 3 feet of clearance for max airflow induction... j/k

In all reality video card fans only need about 5mm of space to atain max air intake. I mean that can't be more than a 25CFM fan.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by: SithSolo1

Originally posted by: Dean
The Radeon pic looks single slot, but looks can be deceiving. The cooler gives an appearance of being deeper than the 9800xt's. If you look at it closely, a PCI card under that big fan could impede its airflow. I look at the new Radeon as a 2-slot solution and the NV40 reference boards possibly a 3-slot if you take airflow into consideration.

No, wait looks like a six-slot solution, you need about 3 feet of clearance for max airflow induction... j/k

In all reality video card fans only need about 5mm of space to atain max air intake. I mean that can't be more than a 25CFM fan.

If you want your high end video card sucking in its own hot stale air radiating from its own heatsink, by all means go for it

 

[bluemax]

Insert random speculation here.

 

[SithSolo1]

Originally posted by: Dean
If you want your high end video card sucking in its own hot stale air radiating from its own heatsink, by all means go for it

I was just saying bare-minmum you only need about 5mm of space. That said I'm only using my lowest PCI-slot for a wireless card. Also is anyone else freaked out by the wink icon?

 

[LTC8K6]

There seems to be discussion of PS3.0 and PS2.0 on the last page.

 

[Rubicante]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
BTW, the entire article with more interesting pics can be read HERE!

d00d! lookit the realism achieved by ATI!
Text

 

[MemberSince97]

No, ram sinks because none is needed.


No doubt, IMO from others around the net, leaking bits here and there, x800 is faster.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: MemberSince97
No, ram sinks because none is needed.


No doubt, IMO from others around the net, leaking bits here and there, x800 is faster.

You need to take the advice in your sig.

 

[BD2003]

Only one power connector...nice.

You know, I used to love nvidia cards up until the 9700 came out. Its been waaay downhill since then.

 

[Brickster]

Originally posted by: bluemax
Insert random speculation here.

F-ing hilarious.

 

[Brickster]

Originally posted by: DAPUNISHER

Originally posted by: MemberSince97
No, ram sinks because none is needed.


No doubt, IMO from others around the net, leaking bits here and there, x800 is faster.

You need to take the advice in your sig.

Even MORE f-ing hilarious.

 

[MemberSince97]

Well, I'm gald you guys are entertained...

 

[RussianSensation]

And this is ATI's Official Girl -- look at the rendering on this one, lighting is spectacular....wow ATI X800pro truly has achieved realism beyond belief.