X-bit labs

AMD Readies Cost-Efficient ATI Radeon HD 2900 Graphics Cards.

Category: Video

by Anton Shilov

[ 08/23/2007 | 08:49 AM ]

In a bid to regain positions in the market of high-performance graphics cards, Advanced Micro Devices is reportedly preparing a number of new graphics cards that use the company’s top-of-the-range graphics processing units (GPUs), but fit into $199 - $399 price gap.

According to a variety of media reports, ATI, graphics product group of AMD, is mulling about ATI Radeon HD 2900 Pro and GT graphics solutions, which would feature cut-down ATI Radeon HD 2900 XT technology. Currently no actual information is available, despite of the fact that the launch of such products should be imminent if the Sunnyvale, California-based graphics chips designer wants to sell it during back-to-school season.

Already now AMD ships ATI FireGL V7600 professional graphics accelerator, which comes with fully-fledged ATI Radeon HD 2900 XT/R600 chip with 320 unified shader processing units, but features 256-bit memory bus instead of 512-bit memory bus on the high-end models. Theoretically, ATI Radeon HD 2900 Pro and GT may also feature 256-bit memory bus and even reduced amount of shader processors.

Currently AMD has no DirectX 10-compliant products to compete against Nvidia’s GeForce 8800 GTS 320MB as well as GeForce 8600 GTS graphics cards that retail for $199 and $299. The firm originally promised that dual-chip ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT graphics card named “Gemini” would rival the GeForce 8600 GTS, but the part is nowhere to be found, whereas the competitor for the GeForce 8800 GTS 320MB has never been even announced.

Currently AMD has a gap in its DirectX 10 lineup starting from $179 and ending at $399. To fill that gap the company either needs to tremendously accelerate its efforts and release the code-named RV670 product, which is believed to be the company’s new-generation performance-mainstream part, in October or November, which is unlikely to happen, or present one or two cut-down versions of its Radeon HD 2900-series offerings.

Officials for AMD did not comment on the news-story.

IMPORTANT CLARIFICATION: Contrary to the reports and expectations, ATI Radeon HD 2900 Pro graphics card features fully-fledged ATI R600 graphics processor with 320 unified shader processors, 16 texture units, 16 render back ends and 512-bit memory controller as the ATI Radeon HD 2900 XT model. For details read our news-story “AMD Says ATI Radeon HD 2900 Pro – Limited Edition Product”.