Some news about the X1800XL core.

[Keysplayr]

You recall ATI tape outs for R520. There were 3. It looks as though the early X1800XL's just might be whatever is left of the 2 metal layer design that developers could only clock around 490MHz. So BE WARY about the XL for a bit. If this doesn't concern you and you do not wish to o/c, then I'm sure it will be an excellent choice. But if you plan to o/c, I would just wait a bit before purchasing one with that intent, at least until we get some more info on this. I know a lot of folks like buying the "second fastest" and o/c'ing to the "fastest or near to" speeds. Not sure thats going to happen with the first batch.

Check it out.

 

[Duvie]

important news, Keys!!!!

 

[M0RPH]

The XL comes with a core speed of 500 MHz. So how are they gonna get that out of cores that could only do around 490, as you're saying? This makes no sense. I think the Inquirer is giving out some bad info here.

 

[Hacp]

repost

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=31&threadid=1705322&enterthread=y

 

[tuteja1986]

would be cool if shappire comes out with some X1000 series card that can be moddable/overclocking beast at $250 like they did with X800GTO

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: M0RPH
The XL comes with a core speed of 500 MHz. So how are they gonna get that out of cores that could only do around 490, as you're saying? This makes no sense. I think the Inquirer is giving out some bad info here.

10MHz is nothing Morph. 490 could have been with a reference board cooler on it. I could almost will my video card 10 MHz faster without touching a slider. If you wish to get into details, we cant. Because this is all the info I have currently. And If I were you and were planning to get the XL, I would look into this more.

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: Hacp
repost

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=31&threadid=1705322&enterthread=y

Can you please show me where it says the X1800XL will use the 2 metal later core that developers can only get to 490? Don't fight this man. I feel this is valid info. So, I don't believe it is a repost.

 

[Hacp]

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003

Originally posted by: Hacp
repost

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=31&threadid=1705322&enterthread=y

Can you please show me where it says the X1800XL will use the 2 metal later core that developers can only get to 490? Don't fight this man. I feel this is valid info. So, I don't believe it is a repost.

Ow nvm. I thought I posted it in that thread. I must have said that the XLs were neutered cores like 5 times already, in alot of the r520 threads.

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: Hacp

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003

Originally posted by: Hacp
repost

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=31&threadid=1705322&enterthread=y

Can you please show me where it says the X1800XL will use the 2 metal later core that developers can only get to 490? Don't fight this man. I feel this is valid info. So, I don't believe it is a repost.

Ow nvm. I thought I posted it in that thread. I must have said that the XLs were neutered cores like 5 times already, in alot of the r520 threads.

LOL, it is hard to keep track of everything isn't it?

 

[M0RPH]

You're saying that they would send out a whole slew of cards that are precariously clocked to the very brink of what they are capable of. If they did that, many of these cards would almost surely have stability problems. I find it hard to believe that any company would do something like this.

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: M0RPH
You're saying that they would send out a whole slew of cards that are precariously clocked to the very brink of what they are capable of. If they did that, many of these cards would almost surely have stability problems. I find it hard to believe that any company would do something like this.

That's ok. The information is here for you to use as you wish. I'm sure some people who are already shopping for an XL ( I think there are a few places online now that have some) would appreciate this "heads up".

And, how is it that "I" am saying this when I am quoting an article? I didn't just generate this out of nowhere.

 

[Duvie]

Originally posted by: Hacp

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003

Originally posted by: Hacp
repost

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=31&threadid=1705322&enterthread=y

Can you please show me where it says the X1800XL will use the 2 metal later core that developers can only get to 490? Don't fight this man. I feel this is valid info. So, I don't believe it is a repost.

Ow nvm. I thought I posted it in that thread. I must have said that the XLs were neutered cores like 5 times already, in alot of the r520 threads.

You did say that in one of the threads I was reading...I am with you there....

 

[M0RPH]

I'd think the story is more like Beyond3D says:

Some may question why the X1800 XL's are being introduced immediately, but the XT's coming a month later. Silicon for all the parts are in production, but the final configuration of the silicon and metal layers was resolved fairly late, and with the production times taking up to three months for chip orders to final products the XT's are coming a little later, once those chips appear. ATI can make XL's available fairly shortly because they had placed large silicon orders earlier, but stopped the production once they realised there were still issues, meaning there were many cut wafers but without metal layers ? as the issues could be resolved with a change to the contacts and metal layers ATI could utilise the silicon that had already been cut and apply new metal layers and all of these are going towards the initial XL products.

So they found the problem before the defective metal layers were put on the silicon.

 

[crazydingo]

Why dont we wait for the review (on overclocking). I'm sure Sampsa & Macci's reviews will be out by tomorrow and we'll know.

Remember Inquirer also said a score of 9500 for the X1800 XT ..

 

[M0RPH]

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003

That's ok. The information is here for you to use as you wish. I'm sure some people who are already shopping for an XL ( I think there are a few places online now that have some) would appreciate this "heads up".

And, how is it that "I" am saying this when I am quoting an article? I didn't just generate this out of nowhere.

Well I'm just suggesting that maybe you should take what the Inquirer says with a grain of salt. Especially when what they say seems to defy reasonable logic. They may have gotten some things right lately, but we all know their track record for accuracy is sketchy.

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: M0RPH
I'd think the story is more like Beyond3D says:

Some may question why the X1800 XL's are being introduced immediately, but the XT's coming a month later. Silicon for all the parts are in production, but the final configuration of the silicon and metal layers was resolved fairly late, and with the production times taking up to three months for chip orders to final products the XT's are coming a little later, once those chips appear. ATI can make XL's available fairly shortly because they had placed large silicon orders earlier, but stopped the production once they realised there were still issues, meaning there were many cut wafers but without metal layers ? as the issues could be resolved with a change to the contacts and metal layers ATI could utilise the silicon that had already been cut and apply new metal layers and all of these are going towards the initial XL products.

So they found the problem before the defective metal layers were put on the silicon.

Great find morph!! This still tells us that XL's will be repaired failed cores initially until that batch of cut cores are used up. Good info.

 

[M0RPH]

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003

Great find morph!! This still tells us that XL's will be repaired failed cores initially until that batch of cut cores are used up. Good info.

Wrong. You misread it. Please try again.

 

[Keysplayr]

No I think I read it fine. Are you going to try to get this thread locked? If so, tell me now and I can easily ignore you. No further probs.

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: crazydingo
Why dont we wait for the review (on overclocking). I'm sure Sampsa & Macci's reviews will be out by tomorrow and we'll know.

Remember Inquirer also said a score of 9500 for the X1800 XT ..

Sounds good to me.

 

[Duvie]

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003
No I think I read it fine. Are you going to try to get this thread locked? If so, tell me now and I can easily ignore you. No further probs.

:thumbsup:

How I read it as well, even before I saw your response.....He uses links for proof like his buddy Turtle1....

 

[M0RPH]

Maybe I should ask a mod to lock this. What you're doing is trying to scare people away from buying a good product based on an unsubstantiated rumor. Smells like FUD to me.

 

[Cookie Monster]

Actually i would buy the 100 cheaper 7800GT.
Nvidia right now has the performance/price crown.
Plus the 7800Gt performs better.

Just read the xbitlabs review, and about IQ. The 7 series edges out the X1series in AA (such as 8xS, TSS vs AAA (where ATi blurrs out the jaggies), but the X1 series edging it out in AF IQ.

Both 7 series and the X1 series are good cards, but right now the 7800GT looks to be the better option by far. 100 dollar cheaper, cooler, consumes way less power, and faster than the X1800XL.

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: M0RPH
Maybe I should ask a mod to lock this. What you're doing is trying to scare people away from buying a good product based on an unsubstantiated rumor. Smells like FUD to me.

I'm not trying to scare anybody, just making them aware. Big difference. Knowledge is power my friend. Like I said, this should only be a concern for people who plan to buy this card just to o/c it. Regular folks like me who rarely o/c anything would probably be fine with the card.

Like Dingo said. We could wait for the o/c reviews in a day or so. That would be a better source than the inquirer for sure. Remember, all rumors start from somewhere. So if there is any validity to this will be either disproved or confirmed in short order.

 

[Duvie]

Originally posted by: M0RPH
Maybe I should ask a mod to lock this. What you're doing is trying to scare people away from buying a good product based on an unsubstantiated rumor. Smells like FUD to me.

Heck you are the one that posted the best link to help make his point....good job!!!:roll:

Sound like a little kid going to tell mom on his brother..LOL!!!!!

 

[M0RPH]

Originally posted by: Cookie Monster
Actually i would buy the 100 cheaper 7800GT.
Nvidia right now has the performance/price crown.
Plus the 7800Gt performs better.

Just read the xbitlabs review, and about IQ. The 7 series edges out the X1series in AA (such as 8xS, TSS vs AAA (where ATi blurrs out the jaggies), but the X1 series edging it out in AF IQ.

Both 7 series and the X1 series are good cards, but right now the 7800GT looks to be the better option by far. 100 dollar cheaper, cooler, consumes way less power, and faster than the X1800XL.

Sorry CM but you're sorely misinformed. Look at this picture:

Text

Look at the bottom half of the wall on the left. Huge difference. Can't be any clearer than that. That's just one example. I won't go into all the other ways the ATI IQ is superior. And I won't go into texture shimmering either.