While we still are not sure about the official brand-names of ATI RV360-based products, X-bit labs now can share the specifications of RV360 graphics cards suggested by ATI Technologies.

Mass production of RV360 is scheduled to start in September, while samples of graphics cards and chips are available for AIB partners now. Code-name of RV360 primary reference board is Thunderhead, a little bit more powerful solution is named Thunder Storm and a little bit slower product’s code-name is Rainbow. Later there may be some additional reference designs developed in order to address specific needs of certain partners, but initially there will be three types of RV360-based graphics cards only.

The Thunderhead will have 128MB of 128-bit DDR SDRAM memory in BGA form-factor clocked at 700MHz or higher. As expected, the RV360 architecture is in generally similar to that of the RV350 aka RADEON 9600-series. Besides some possible tweaks, we should expect the core-clock to increase towards 450MHz or more. The graphics card should score some 3800 scores in 3DMark03.

RV360 “Thunder Storm” reference design is intended for hardware enthusiasts, who do not want to spend much, but still would like to have a speedy and feature-rich solution. The VPU on Thunder Storm will function at 450MHz or above, the 128-bit DDR memory will work at 800MHz. Sources close to ATI even claim that the Thunder Storm will even feature GDDR2-M memory, what is quite likely, but is a bit strange given that there are few GDDR2-M memory chips on the market. Estimated performance of the RV360 “Thunder Storm” is 4000 3DMark03 scores.

The third reference design of the RV360 is called “Rainbow”. It will feature 450MHz or higher core and 256MB of DDR SDRAM memory at 550MHz. The part will score 3500 points in 3DMark03 benchmark and will be the slowest in the family.

All three cards will be equipped with D-Sub, DVI-I and TV-Out connectors, the “Thunder Storm” and “Rainbow” will boast with VIVO capabilities as well. Pricing of the parts and actual brand-names are to be determined in future.

PS. Current RV360 brand-names suggestions are RADEON 9650, RADEON 9800XT and so on, read the whole story here.