ATI, graphics business unit of Advanced Micro Devices, demonstrated the world’s first graphics processing units (GPUs) code-named Evergreen that support the next-generation DirectX 11 application programming interface (API). ATI hopes that it will be able to deliver the new graphics architecture ahead of its arch-rival Nvidia Corp.

“Today, we’re previewing AMD’s DirectX 11 graphics processor to build enthusiasm for this key technology so developers will have games available at launch and shortly thereafter. With the benefits it delivers to gaming, applications and Windows 7, developers are lining up to get their hands on our hardware, and we are confident that consumers will too,” said Rick Bergman, senior vice president of AMD products group. 

The key new innovations of DirectX 11 are Compute Shaders, Tessellation, Multi-Threaded Rendering, HDR Compression, Dynamic Shader Linkage and numerous others. The new capabilities will enable richer graphics experience as well as standardized approach for using GPUs for general-purpose computing (GPGPU), which will allow game developers to use graphics chips for computing of artificial intelligence, physics effects and so on.

“AMD has a long track record of delivering pioneering features that have gone on to become mainstays in the DirectX experience, and we are doing it again with two mature, AMD-developed technologies in DirectX 11 – tessellation and the compute shader – both of which enable a better DirectX 11 experience for consumers,” added Mr. Bergman.

While AMD’s graphics business unit did not reveal any technical details regarding the graphics chip that was demonstrated, it did say that the novelty is made using 40nm process technology at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. Besides, it demonstrated an actual wafer with DirectX 11 chips. The size of the showcased dies implies that the firm revealed the successor of its high-end RV770/RV790 GPUs.

According to the graphics chip developer, the first DirectX 11-supporting titles will emerge on the market “sooner than you think” with Codemasters, Phenomic/Electronics Arts, Emergent and Rebellion developing titles already.

Tags: ATI, AMD, Radeon, DirectX, Microsoft, Windows, RV870, 40nm