ATI Technologies earlier this week denied rumours claiming that the company’s forthcoming graphics processor code-named R520 would support Pixel Shader 3.0a specification, as suggested by game-developer Zuxxes.

“To the best of my knowledge there is no Shader Model 3.0a or Pixel Shader 3.0a specifications,” Richard Huddy, European Developer Relations Manager, ATI told X-bit labs. “I suppose it’s also conceivable that MS might want to designate the Xbox 360 pixel shaders as ‘PS3.0a’. But my contact at MS clearly doesn't believe that this is their plan.”

Late last week some web-sites reported that ATI’s R520 visual processing unit (VPU), which is to be announced later this year would sport Pixel Shader 3.0a citing game maker Zuxxes, whose web-site dedicated to Earth 2160 game claimed that the title supported the Pixel Shaders 3.0a for ATI R520.

“I suspect they are just making their own internal labels for the different feature sets of the various hardware vendors,” Mr. Huddy added.

ATI code-named R520 VPU is projected to support Shader Model 3.0 and other innovations, which requires a totally new graphics architecture from ATI Technologies. There will be a number of R520 derivatives designed for different market segments. The R520 is projected to be available later this year and launched this Summer.