XGI Volari 8000 series

[Lonyo]

From the Volarigamers forums

As for the Volari 8600, it will feature TruShader 3.0 support (Shader Model 3.0).
3 versions are on the way :
- Volari 8600 XT : 450MHz core and 450MHz memory, 192bit memory interface, maximum memory capacity 256MB
- Volari 8600 : 400MHz core and 275MHz memory, 128 bit memory interface, maximum memory capacity 128MB
- Volari 8600 Mobile : MXM-III module, 350MHz core and 300 Mhz memory, memory interface 128bit, maximum memory capacity 128MB.

 

[PrayForDeath]

I am amazed how they survived the first failure. The new cards look promising.

 

[paadness]

Lolz.....they will always remain behind unless thier flagship cards are half priced to NV or Rv.

 

[mwmorph]

seems promising for budget users

 

[Lonyo]

I was totally suprised by a 192 bit memory bus, and also intrigued.
Why haven't nVidia/ATi done this on their midrange? It would be a much better way to differentiate cards IMO than just clock speed.
X700Pro with 400/700 128 bit and then an X700XT with 425/700 with 192bit memory would make it much more appealing to get the XT over a Pro, and keep things like RAM costs lower.
(Just using random numbers, I dunno what the real clocks are on those cards).
Or maybe make a 192bit X800XL as the mid range for next gen, 16 pipes etc but with a slightly squished mem bus to cut costs.

 

[Genx87]

Originally posted by: Lonyo
I was totally suprised by a 192 bit memory bus, and also intrigued.
Why haven't nVidia/ATi done this on their midrange? It would be a much better way to differentiate cards IMO than just clock speed.
X700Pro with 400/700 128 bit and then an X700XT with 425/700 with 192bit memory would make it much more appealing to get the XT over a Pro, and keep things like RAM costs lower.
(Just using random numbers, I dunno what the real clocks are on those cards).
Or maybe make a 192bit X800XL as the mid range for next gen, 16 pipes etc but with a slightly squished mem bus to cut costs.

Why cripple the cards anymore?

 

[TStep]

Since I have no preference, I'm routing for a third player in the market. But based on past history, I won't bet on them.

 

[Lonyo]

Originally posted by: Genx87

Originally posted by: Lonyo
I was totally suprised by a 192 bit memory bus, and also intrigued.
Why haven't nVidia/ATi done this on their midrange? It would be a much better way to differentiate cards IMO than just clock speed.
X700Pro with 400/700 128 bit and then an X700XT with 425/700 with 192bit memory would make it much more appealing to get the XT over a Pro, and keep things like RAM costs lower.
(Just using random numbers, I dunno what the real clocks are on those cards).
Or maybe make a 192bit X800XL as the mid range for next gen, 16 pipes etc but with a slightly squished mem bus to cut costs.

Why cripple the cards anymore?

Reduce costs.
And if it was added to a 6600 or an X700, it wouldn't be crippling. Both of those are 128-bit normally. It would be increasing.

 

[jiffylube1024]

These guys are jokers. They did a great job of paperlaunching the last generation of Volari's, and they're doing a good job following it up.

I don't think there's enough phantom models - they should announce more.

These cards don't make any sense either. They're not as good as what's out already, and by the time they hit the market, ATI and Nvidia will have their next-gen parts out.

They certainly aren't going to win a price war with either company, either.

Plus, as BFG10K pointed out in the last generation, who is willing to experiment with the shaky drivers of one of these cards; ATI and Nvidia have had a much longer time to refine their drivers.

 

[nitromullet]

some pics from Computex

http://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/2005/0601/comp04.htm

 

[imported_DaveA]

Originally posted by: nitromullet
some pics from Computex

http://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/2005/0601/comp04.htm

look at the size of that thing! its huge!

 

[UNCjigga]

Laugh all you want but there's always a market for these in Latin America, Eastern Europe and Asia. You can't warez hardware!

 

[Concillian]

Originally posted by: Lonyo
From the Volarigamers forums

As for the Volari 8600, it will feature TruShader 3.0 support (Shader Model 3.0).
3 versions are on the way :
- Volari 8600 XT : 450MHz core and 450MHz memory, 192bit memory interface, maximum memory capacity 256MB
- Volari 8600 : 400MHz core and 275MHz memory, 128 bit memory interface, maximum memory capacity 128MB
- Volari 8600 Mobile : MXM-III module, 350MHz core and 300 Mhz memory, memory interface 128bit, maximum memory capacity 128MB.

I'm disappointed that they've adopted a naming scheme somewhat like another graphics chip mfr.

That is totally contrary to the historical video card maket philosophy of 'confuse the consumers to maximize profit'

They need to make the low end an 8600GT and the high end an 8600 LE... that would set things right in the graphics world. This XT = better card thing is already being done by one company. Having another company adopt the same scheme makes too much sense!

 

[ddogg]

definetely looks promising

 

[ddogg]

Originally posted by: DaveA

Originally posted by: nitromullet
some pics from Computex

http://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/2005/0601/comp04.htm

look at the size of that thing! its huge!

ur talkin about the dual 6800GT??

 

[sandorski]

Dibs on not being the guy to buy one and report back. Now one of you guys gotta do it.

I hope they keep trying to compete and one day succeed. Until then I'm sure they'll sell plenty into other Markets.

 

[BillyBobJoel71]

you should see the benchmarks for cards othe than ait/nvidia. they are absolutely horrible, but maybe these cards can change that for mainstream.

 

[hans030390]

192-bit....hmm...interesting....

Either way, they look to be good for those who wanna spend less....and they aren't completely behind, they DO have SM3.0, which is pretty nice considering the cards might be kinda crappy.

 

[Avalon]

I've personally used XGI Volari V3 cards, and even did a review of a Chaintech model a while back. While everyone gives XGI flak for delays on their previous flagship V8 Duo (and it's performance failure), I found that their single core line was fairly decent for budget users.

The only troubles I came across with my Chaintech V3 was that it had a hard time getting Doom 3 to run. It was a $40 card, so I honestly wasn't that surprised. More than likely it was a driver issue, since I remember getting everything else able to run just fine (and the image quality was excellent, btw). It's been a year since I last touched one, and I've been watching their driver progress. I'm wondering how much better its gotten, and almost wish I still had that card laying around.

I would not mind one bit purchasing one of these new gen XGI cards and trying it out for you guys. I have high hopes for this company.

*Edit*
They sell Volari cards at Walmart?!

:Q

 

[Budarow]

Originally posted by: Avalon
I've personally used XGI Volari V3 cards, and even did a review of a Chaintech model a while back. While everyone gives XGI flak for delays on their previous flagship V8 Duo (and it's performance failure), I found that their single core line was fairly decent for budget users.

The only troubles I came across with my Chaintech V3 was that it had a hard time getting Doom 3 to run. It was a $40 card, so I honestly wasn't that surprised. More than likely it was a driver issue, since I remember getting everything else able to run just fine (and the image quality was excellent, btw). It's been a year since I last touched one, and I've been watching their driver progress. I'm wondering how much better its gotten, and almost wish I still had that card laying around.

I would not mind one bit purchasing one of these new gen XGI cards and trying it out for you guys. I have high hopes for this company.

*Edit*
They sell Volari cards at Walmart?!

:Q

If you're willing to part with cash by buying the Volari card..I'll most certainly read your review And thanks for the offer...it's always interesting to when another video card tries to "crack" into the market. I hope they succeed.

Regards,

Bud

 

[ddogg]

Originally posted by: SuperTyphoon
you should see the benchmarks for cards othe than ait/nvidia. they are absolutely horrible, but maybe these cards can change that for mainstream.

i guess its mainly due to driver problems...XGI and SIS and the rest should somehow try to fix the huge amount of bugs in their drivers, should give a huge boost in performance.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

Probably too late to do any good. Had the Volari 8600 XT actually shown up a few months ago or even be available widely by tomorrow, it looks like it could be serious competition for the 6600GT niche. It wouldn't have to be as efficient with memory bandwidth as the 192bit interface should give it plenty of room to be sloppy even with slower ram than the GT (definately not expecting them to have the most efficient engineering, hardware or driver wise).