Retail X800Pro Review

[Matthias99]

article

They didn't do OCed benches, but did say this:

The X800 Pro processor is manufactured on a 0.13 micron Low-K process from TSMC. ATI/Sapphire set their default GPU clock speed to 475 MHz, but even with default cooling, the core is capable of much more. We were able to easily clock up our X800 retail card to over 550 MHz GPU speed (which is a higher clock speed than ATI's upcoming X800 XT Platinum Edition) with simple software tweaks. The future is certainly looking bright for this architecture thus far.

And this:

Our first generation boards have been impressively overclockable as well. With GPU and DDR clock speed adjustments, we were able to achieve in upwards of 20% better performance in most games. ATI appears to be getting great yields thus far off their low-K 0.13 micron manufacturing process.

Rumors of low OCs on the X800Pro may be greatly exaggerated.

Also:

Interestingly, the Sapphire X800 Pro card still comes bundled with a coupon for a free "Full Version" copy of Half-Life 2. We were under the impression that this promotion was cancelled due to the nine month delay of the software, but alas, the coupons are still being included. The coupons now contain an activation code, which will need to be plugged into Valve's Steam software, which should allow you to download a copy or request one to be shipped to you once the title is ready.

So if HL2 *does* ever come out, you'll be covered. 😛

 

[Illissius]

Dunno about the X800 Pro, but it's been the situation in just about every X800 XT review I've seen. They usually got it to just 530-540MHz, and only once did it go to 560.
The Pro starts at 475MHz, meaning it naturally overclocks better even if it only reaches the same speeds as the XT.

 

[Transistor]

Originally posted by: Matthias99
So if HL2 *does* ever come out, you'll be covered. 😛

I know you are joking when you say that, but it always gets me when people say they are buying hardware for a game that is not out yet. If your PC runs good enough with todays games, then wait until HL2 is actually out before buying hardware and two things will happen. 1. You'll actually get to see the benchmarks to see what hardware works best. 2. New hardware may be released, so just wait.

 

[ForceCalibur]

Of course it overclocks. Both the XT and the Pro use the same R420 core, so they are rated the same. THe XT core is just a pretested overclocked Pro core. THe XT is just a Pro with faster memory and 4 additional pipelines.

 

[Zephyr106]

Originally posted by: Transistor

Originally posted by: Matthias99
So if HL2 *does* ever come out, you'll be covered. 😛

I know you are joking when you say that, but it always gets me when people say they are buying hardware for a game that is not out yet. If your PC runs good enough with todays games, then wait until HL2 is actually out before buying hardware and two things will happen. 1. You'll actually get to see the benchmarks to see what hardware works best. 2. New hardware may be released, so just wait.

This is really a spurious argument and only applicable if the "new hardware" which you buy to run Game-X has a redundent coupon for Game-x. i.e. If you buy a X800, and are definately going to buy HL2, and no future card comes with the coupon, then the coupon is worthwhile.

Zephyr

 

[RussianSensation]

Originally posted by: Zephyr106

Originally posted by: Transistor

Originally posted by: Matthias99
So if HL2 *does* ever come out, you'll be covered. 😛

I know you are joking when you say that, but it always gets me when people say they are buying hardware for a game that is not out yet. If your PC runs good enough with todays games, then wait until HL2 is actually out before buying hardware and two things will happen. 1. You'll actually get to see the benchmarks to see what hardware works best. 2. New hardware may be released, so just wait.

This is really a spurious argument and only applicable if the "new hardware" which you buy to run Game-X has a redundent coupon for Game-x. i.e. If you buy a X800, and are definately going to buy HL2, and no future card comes with the coupon, then the coupon is worthwhile.

Zephyr

Now it might not be the greatest argument because HL2 is scheduled to hit retail July 2nd. But I think he is talking about all other future game bundles or games that will supposedly come out. You never know if a game will be cancelled, turns out to be bad, delayed, etc. And by the time it comes out new hardware usually comes out (HL2 and doom 3 are perfect examples). More so than not, you should never buy any hardware, unless the applications that can take advantage of the new hardware are available now. It's like buying 6800Ultra with PS3.0 support because Unreal 3 will support PS3.0.

 

[Bar81]

Well I just tested mine and I think that 550mhz for the core might be optomistic with retail cooling at least. My core tops out at about 500mhz, not 550. GDDR3 though is right on target with 1.14Ghz

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: Bar81
Well I just tested mine and I think that 550mhz for the core might be optomistic with retail cooling at least. My core tops out at about 500mhz, not 550. GDDR3 though is right on target with 1.14Ghz

did you try to OC the mem?

 

[SickBeast]

Originally posted by: shady06

Originally posted by: Bar81
Well I just tested mine and I think that 550mhz for the core might be optomistic with retail cooling at least. My core tops out at about 500mhz, not 550. GDDR3 though is right on target with 1.14Ghz

did you try to OC the mem?

I think that's what he's trying to say, in a roundabout sort of way (as opposed to a direct sort of way).

 

[Bar81]

Yes, memory would hit slightly above 570mhz, which is a large boost over default.