ATI, graphics product group of Advanced Micro Devices, is rumoured to introduce yet another graphics processing unit later this year targeting performance-mainstream and high-end market segments. If the information is correct, then ATI Radeon HD 4000 lineup will get considerably broader shortly from now.

A news-story at TechPowerUp! web-site suggests that ATI is about to release code-named ATI RV790 graphics processing unit (GPU) that will be a redesigned version of the code-named RV770 chip – which powers ATI Radeon HD 4800-series graphics boards – capable of running at considerably higher clock-speeds than 750MHz of the model 4870. The new chip will be able to offer substantially higher computing horsepower and will be able to compete against Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 280 graphics card.

Some of ATI’s partners tried to roll-out highly-overclocked ATI Radeon HD 4870 graphics cards earlier this year, but without much success since the chip itself cannot work at noticeably higher clock-speeds. As a result, ATI/AMD reportedly decided to redesign the processor a bit so that to enable faster frequencies.

There are no details about the RV790 chip available and it is even unclear whether there are plans to release it chip officially. For instance, ATI might redesign the RV770 to improve yields of already existing products without releasing any new offerings.

ATI is known for working on different speed-bins of various processors, for instance, its ATI R300, R350 and R360 were essentially the same chip, but could function at completely different clock-speeds. Potentially, ATI may now choose the same option since it does not immediately need a new GPU as its arch-rival Nvidia has been working hard on reducing manufacturing cost of its G200/GT200 processor for the GeForce GTX 200 line.

 ATI did not comment on the news-story.

Tags: ATI, AMD, Radeon, 55nm