I'll predict the downfall of this thread first, you will see some well thought out posts, the majority being favorable to Nvidia.. causing the ATI boi's to come in with whatever excuse their ringleader has came up for them to defend ATI in light of these results.
We'll probably see them ignoring availability, ignoring price, ignore transAA, and ignoring noise/heat/power consumption differences in favor of an obscure feature the R520 holds and attempt to claim supremacy on something like that.
My thoughts on the X1K series: they appear to me to almost be ATI's 5800. Of course not everything is paralled, you dont have lackluster DX9 performance (or in this case, lackluster DX9C performance). But in replacement of that failing of the Nvidia 5800, you have no availability, likely a high price, a lackluster dual GPU solution, heat/power requirements, and the jury is still out on the noise.
All while only matching the GF7 in performance overall.
If Nvidia launches a new "Ultra" card, times are bleak for ATI indeed. They don't need too, but if they launch an Ultra and have instant availability..
collectively you have more egg on ATIs face than they've perhaps ever had.
The biggest portion of the market, IMO is the midrange. Example: I use a 6800GT.
In Anands midrange tests, the 7800GT just completely dominates.
Also, its my feeling that the time is nigh for ATI to start to compete in OGL and the ever popular id software engines.
We didnt see any developments in that area, there is no game brand with a better popular recognition than the Doom and Quake series. There is no debate there.
They need to do better in those games. Now that the sun is about to rise on Quake 4, and later on, Quake Wars.. we have a problem for ATI that people have come to simply accept.. and its not even discussed anymore.
That, while it reduces the torment that ATI fanboys have to endure, is not a good thing.. as ATI isnt likely to do anything about it now either.
I thought I'd cover the D3 engine because I dont think anyone elses analysis will cover this very important engine fairly.
It was a mediocre game, but carried the gameplay and spirit of DOOM.. yet still is the most advanced engine on store shelves. Winning there is crucial.
If ATI ever did pull off a win there, you'd see "Team Red" grandstanding in the forums like never before. But alas, again we have a failure from ATI with this new release.
Another advantage besides price/better dual GPU solution/availability/transAA/heat/power/noise that Nvidia holds, are more mature drivers.
That is one large advantage being first on the market helps.. you likely had final silicon sooner, and have more bugs worked out than the competitor who is still doing respins.
The new ATI has its merits, although my conclusion is that they are vastly outshadowed by the advantages of the Geforce lineup.
Needless to say, I think the naming scheme of the Radeons is getting a little silly myself. Its time for ATI to just release the R6XX series with the name "Radeon II" or "Radeon Gemini" would be good names.
I've found the names to the ATI cards a bit silly after the 9xxx lineup. Way too many "X's".. X850XT? Yeesh.
My 2 sense.
A late X1K :thumbsdown:
On the shelf Geforce 7s :thumbsup:
Fatality. Yet wouldnt have been had they been on the shelves on launch. :brokenheart:
This company needs to get it together, and fast. These cards are not going to sell. I think that is why Crossfire and these cards both have been delayed: pride and delaying the inevitable.. facing that they are to lose even more $ after all the R&D when they do finally reach shelves.
Sometimes you have to just release what you have, even if its crap.. and struggle through it. Nvidia did it and look at where they are now.
Edit to note: Not that the X1K series is crap. No more crap than the 5800 at least.
When people say the 5800 was "crap" its the same way they mean the X1K is generally regarded, as "crap" compared to the competition.
Thats really all that matters.
Facebook
Twitter