ATI Unveils the X850 Series

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Posted by Zonk on Wednesday December 1, 2004 @08:31AM from the because-you-don't-have-enough-things-to-spend-money-on dept.

Duality writes "ATI has announced a new line of PCI Express 3D graphics boards dubbed the X850 Series. There are three new X850 cards being announced today, along with two new X800 cards. The X800 XL (16-pipelines) and X800 (12-pipelines) get a new core built on TSMC's .11 micron manufacturing process and don't require supplemental power. The flagship Radeon X850 XT Platinum Edition has been reviewed at HotHardware, and they've got more information on all of the other new Radeons as well. Prices for these new boards range from $249 all the way up to $549. (Other X850 Reviews: TR, Beyond3D, [H])"

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If this were news I would have posted it. by BoomerSooner · 2004-12-01 08:34 · Score: 3, Informative

Here's another review from GameSpot

Expensive in my opinion.
2 Problems by DeadBugs · 2004-12-01 08:37 · Score: 3, Informative

It's $550 and it's not out yet.

This was a similar problem with ATI's flagship 800XT Platinum Edition. Yes, it is the top of the line ATI card.....No, you can't find one.

*Also PCI Express only

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http://www.kubuntu.org/
1. Re:2 Problems by Tumbleweed · 2004-12-01 08:48 · Score: 2
  
  That's only the super-duper high end version, though - this is an entire family of cards, some as low as $249.
  
  I like the new low-power 2D mode. Combine that with a Pentium M desktop system (more rare than an ATI Platinum Edition card), and you could have a very nice low power system. If wishes were fishes...
2. Re:2 Problems by gl4ss · 2004-12-01 09:52 · Score: 1
  
  still, in some places in the world the supplies for radeons(even in the 9800 area) are lousy.
  
  sure.. i could buy some pci-e cards.. but what good would that do when i don't have pci-e.
  
  --
  world was created 5 seconds before this post as it is.
3. Re:2 Problems by superpulpsicle · 2004-12-01 09:56 · Score: 1
  
  My ATI Radeon 9800 fried, 3 replacements in 1 year. I am looking to get a Nvidia Geforce 6600GT card, and it's not available anywhere in stores. If you buy online the AGP version costs $50 more than the PCI-express version. Does anyone know how to manufacture anymore?
4. Re:2 Problems by Tumbleweed · 2004-12-01 11:08 · Score: 2, Interesting
  
  And none of these things address ATI's real problem: accelerated 3D Linux drivers. *sigh*
5. Re:2 Problems by silverfuck · 2004-12-01 12:32 · Score: 1
  
  As The Register pointed out, the X800XT PE is only just now becoming available, and it's already been superseded. Indeed, if you look at the family it may go out of production just as it hits the shelves/websites as the X850XT (non-PE) is almost exactly the same (e.g. same core frequency) as the X800XT PE.
  
  --
  You know you've been IMing too long when you almost say 'lol' out loud to a non-geeky friend...
6. Re:2 Problems by NanoGator · 2004-12-01 14:15 · Score: 2, Funny
  
  "It's $550 and it's not out yet."
  
  "1.) This tastes awful 2.) The proportions are so small!"
  
  --
  "Derp de derp."
7. Re:2 Problems by damiam · 2004-12-01 15:55 · Score: 1
  
  You mean your real problem. I wish ATI would write better Linux drivers too, but it's not a problem for them because 99% of gamers use Windows, and most of the rest use Macs. ATI will concern itself with good Linux drivers if and when Linux gamers become a significant demographic.
  
  --
  It's hard to be religious when certain people are never incinerated by bolts of lightning.
8. Re:2 Problems by DerWulf · 2004-12-02 00:29 · Score: 1
  
  it's a real problem. Yesterday I went out to drop 300 on a GF 6800 (in my opinion, the 50 difference to the 6600 GT really gets you something) and an additional 50 on a 5.1 headset. No luck though. It's like talking to caveman at electronics retailers over here (germany). It went like this:
  
  Me: Hi, I'd like to buy a Geforce 6800, don't care much for the manufacturer, but it should have DDR3 memory.
  Sales Guy: Well, we don't have them as they are not out yet. If you're looking for a high end card, we just got this FX 5950U in.
  Me: *sigh* no thanks. Uhm, do you carry 5.1 surround headphones.
  Sales Guy: What do you mean? We got some with 'decoders' on them that get fed stereo input.
  Me: Well, thats not surround then.
  Sales Guy: Naaa. We don't have what you are looking for and we can't get it for you either. You might just wanna order over the internet.
  
  ...
  I mean, clearly they don't WANT much business. I hate my country. This is the kind of shit I always have to put up with. If someone with US citizenship could just marry me ...
  
  --
  
  ___
  No power in the 'verse can stop me
9. Re:2 Problems by spectral · 2004-12-02 03:26 · Score: 1
  
  And linux games will become a reality only if there's video cards that can play them. Sorry, nVidia's 2D hardware has always pissed me off and I refuse to buy one of their cards. I've never had many problems with ATI cards, especially since the windows drivers got better, and every video card I've purchased for myself (all two of them) have been ATIs.
  
  That being said, if there's no good drivers, then how do you expect those awesome games to come to linux? Half the time starting OpenGL causes my linux box to freeze, that's not acceptable (and makes coding OpenGL programs rather difficult). What's the point of half-assing driver support? Oh yeah, marketing..
10. Re:2 Problems by Qrlx · 2004-12-02 05:04 · Score: 0
  
  The only pure GeForce 6800 (not GT or Ultra) with DDR3 is a kludge. It sounds like you want a GeForce 6800GT.
  
  Asus makes some card with "9999" in the name which is the only card I am aware of with a GeForce 6800 processor (not GT, regular, with 12 pipelines and 5 shaders) which is on a board with 256 MB DDR3 memory. And for the price of it, you're better off getting a for-real 6800GT, 16 pipelines and 6 shaders, and the same 256 MB DDR3.
  
  How big are your tits? I might consider marriage if all that's needed to keep you happy is cutting edge computer gear. Unlike the jewelery and flowers most women want, I would benefit too :)
  
  By the way I have the Zalman 5.1 surround headphones and they are alright. Nothing great but they get the job done.
11. Re:2 Problems by DerWulf · 2004-12-02 05:25 · Score: 1
  
  Well, I'm not so sure about the DDR3 memory anymore as well. I thought I found one by pixelview but their site is confusing as hell. They actually got two different pages for the 6800 vanilla model, one stating it has DDR3 and the other not mentioning it. The online retailer arlt.com also says the pixelview card comes equiped with DDR3 and lists the price at 300 (128 MB vid-ram) vs the 6600 GT from Leadtek at 250. So when this card becomes available in stores I'll just check out the package and see if the DDR3 stuff is true.
  
  My 'tits' are exactly 0 cms big. I thought the masculin pronoun in my name gave that away :) (just think about 'Der Führer' - He, the Leader).
  
  Yeah, well, I'm not looking for a great solution. Just any would do really. And I sure don't want that emulated crap that sony sells for a gazillion dollars.
  
  --
  
  ___
  No power in the 'verse can stop me
12. Re:2 Problems by KDR_11k · 2004-12-02 05:25 · Score: 1
  
  Wrong store. Where are you shopping, at Conrad? Try one of the numerous small PC stores, they'll at least know what you're talking about even if they don't have one in stock. I had to hunt down the GF6800 but that was months ago and the availability should have gone up by now.
  
  --
  Justice is the sheep getting arrested while an impartial judge declares the vote void.
13. Re:2 Problems by DerWulf · 2004-12-02 05:37 · Score: 1
  
  i tried artl and then mediamarkt ... they are the only places around here selling that kinda stuff (apart from saturn maybe). I live near reutlingen, which seems to be the most backward region of germany.
  
  --
  
  ___
  No power in the 'verse can stop me
14. Re:2 Problems by bhtooefr · 2004-12-02 07:53 · Score: 1
  
  Not that rare, just VERY expensive. Newegg links:
  
  Mobos:
  http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?desc ription=13-137-057&depa=0 (AOpen i855GMEm-LFS - $269, in stock)
  http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?desc ription=13-136-150&depa=0 (DFI 855GME-MGF - $270, in stock)
  
  CPUs:
  http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=p roperty&catalog=343&propertycodevalue=5170,%200,%2 00,%200,%200,%200,%200,%200&minprice=&maxprice=&mf rcode=0&DEPA=1&InnerCata=343
  Pentium M 725 (1.6), 735 (1.7), 745 (1.8), 755 (2.0), and all at (slightly over) Intel list. They DON'T have the 715 (OCs just as well as the 725-745 on the DFI board) or the 765 (OCs to 2.8GHz).
  
  Still, you can get a P-M desktop, and easily. It just costs a lot :-(
Obsolete again... by Severious · 2004-12-01 08:55 · Score: 2, Informative

$550 eh, so I could either buy an Athlon 64, a new motherboard and a gig of RAM, or buy a videocard. Well the major bonus of this is that I will finally be able to afford the last generation cards.

--
Tinfoil hat? Naa, I long since replaced it with a reinforced titanium alloy.
But I bet... by wolf31o2 · 2004-12-01 08:56 · Score: 3, Funny

It still sucks in Linux and probably gets its ass handed to it by a generation old Nvidia card.

Then again, I'm sure it runs great under Windows, but who really cares?

*wink*
1. Re:But I bet... by complete+loony · 2004-12-01 13:25 · Score: 1
  
  "by a generation old Nvidia card."
  Well, acording to the review, only in Doom3 is this an issue. Also the new ATI cards seem to be much better at 4xAA and 8xAF, they don't take as much of a performance hit as the Nvidia cards do.
  
  --
  09F91102 no, 455FE104 nope, F190A1E8 uh-uh, 7A5F8A09 that's not it, C87294CE no. Ah! 452F6E403CDF10714E41DFAA257D313F.
2. Re:But I bet... by damiam · 2004-12-01 16:01 · Score: 1
  
  Then again, I'm sure it runs great under Windows, but who really cares?
  99% of the gaming population, perhaps?
  
  --
  It's hard to be religious when certain people are never incinerated by bolts of lightning.
3. Re:But I bet... by Illissius · 2004-12-02 00:40 · Score: 1
  
  He's talking about Linux. ATi's linux drivers are completely inexcusable horrible fucking pieces of brainrotted shit. If you manage to get them working at all, you'll still get all sorts of stability and corruption, and a 9600 Pro will get beaten by a GeForce2 MX. Yes, they are that bad.
  
  See also.
  
  --
  Work is punishment for failing to procrastinate effectively.
4. Re:But I bet... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-12-02 06:43 · Score: 0
  
  I'm sure the five people who game on Linux care deeply.
  
  Meanwhile...
800XT PE's are imaginary by Fo0eY · 2004-12-01 09:05 · Score: 2, Informative

I've had one on order from Gateway since June that has yet to be fulfilled

guess if you can have make believe hardware sell so well, you might as well release a new version of it and sell some more
Instead of releasing more cards.... by jdonnis · 2004-12-01 09:22 · Score: 1, Troll

ATI should spend more time writing functional drivers than thinking up new paperlaunches..

That said nvidias drivers for their quadro cards sucks just as bad.
The important question by bconway · 2004-12-01 09:49 · Score: 1

Will it stutter just as badly as every other top-of-the-line card in EverQuest 2?

--
Interested in open source engine management for your Subaru?
1. Re:The important question by dhakbar · 2004-12-01 12:18 · Score: 1
  
  Yes.
  
  As someone who worked QA on EQ2, I can promise you that nothing is going to run that piece of shit engine nicely for years to come.
2. Re:The important question by Harlockjds · 2004-12-01 15:32 · Score: 1
  
  funny i play eq2 on a x800 and havent seen that much stutter (a little in the first week but that's no shock wow was unplayable it's first week)
In other news by EvilNutSack · 2004-12-01 10:49 · Score: 2, Funny

Nvidia has released the 7500 super-duper-ultra-gives-you-a-blowjob.
But it's irrelevant since you won't be able to buy it anywhere. Hey, anything to bump up our stock prices right?

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The important question-Feature "creep". by Anonymous Coward · 2004-12-01 11:26 · Score: 1, Funny

"Will it stutter just as badly as every other top-of-the-line card in EverQuest 2?"

No. You have to pay extra for that feature.
Kinda offtopic by space_jake · 2004-12-01 12:15 · Score: 0

Are there any motherboard with PCI-E that support AMD cpus yet?
1. Re:Kinda offtopic by complete+loony · 2004-12-01 13:31 · Score: 1
  
  With NForce4 just around the corner (PCI-E, Gbit Ethernet, SATA ...), and this release driving the lower end cards down in price, it's looking more and more tempting to upgrade every day.
  Also ATI is releasing and AMD chipset with onboard graphics and PCI-E. But without Gbit Ethernet onboard, it's not as tempting.
  
  --
  09F91102 no, 455FE104 nope, F190A1E8 uh-uh, 7A5F8A09 that's not it, C87294CE no. Ah! 452F6E403CDF10714E41DFAA257D313F.
2. Re:Kinda offtopic by Mechcommander · 2004-12-01 16:32 · Score: 1
  
  Not readily available on the market as of yet, but in the next month or two, you will be seeing nForce4 boards that support PCI-E and some of them even support SLI. Obviously, SLI isn't an ATi thing, yet.. But, just so you know.
Its nothing special by OAB_X · 2004-12-01 12:46 · Score: 1

All they are really is highly clocked x800 pro pe's with a more impressive cooling. You could probaby get clocks just as high as that one with 3rd party coolers and ramsinks. All it is is an ATI oc'd card instead of ocing it yourself.
Top-of-the-line... by Psionicist · 2004-12-01 14:15 · Score: 0

Hardware such as this video card or AMD:s FX55 CPU:s aren't meant to be used, they are created for one reason only and it's to be known as the Creator of the Fastest Chip on Earth. The consumers know it as penis weaving contests, to them it's just marketing...

It's the mid-end segment that counts. AFAIK 80% of all ATI video cards sold 2003 were the 9200 and 9600, both incredibly slow compared to the high-end segment. Heck, Intel is the largest video card manufacturer on earth, and they don't exactly make video cards you can use in Doom III...
1. Re:Top-of-the-line... by Mechcommander · 2004-12-01 16:35 · Score: 1
  
  Believe it or not, this card barely outperforms the X800XT AGP. The only thing this one might do better is with cooling. See for yourself [H]ard|OCP.
Why top of the line products exist by Anonymous Coward · 2004-12-01 16:28 · Score: 5, Interesting

Technology companies make top of the line products for the same reason that the Wendys fast food chain sells triple cheeseburgers.
Several years ago the top execs at Wendys noticed that the triple cheeseburgers weren't selling very well, and decided to take them off the menu. When they did that, they found that sales of their double cheeseburgers dropped to almost nothing.
After conducting several surveys and focus groups, they found out what the problem was. With triple cheeseburgers on the menu, the double cheeseburgers were perceived as mainstream items that people felt comfortable ordering. Without the triples, the doubles became the high end item and people avoided it.
Since their profits on the double cheeseburgers were higher, they decided to bring back the triples not for the sake of selling triples but for the boost to doubles sales.
Thanks to Bob Colwell for this anecdote.
1. Re:Why top of the line products exist by Sludge · 2004-12-02 06:02 · Score: 1
  
  This may be true, but I believe there is another reason.
  
  Ever since the Geforce 3, cards have existed that no shipped game can make use of. These cards are targetting developers, at developer prices. By the time the games are released, the cards typically sell for a more reasonable $250 to $300.
  
  There was no decent reason for any non-developer to own a Geforce 3. And I say this as an avid multiplayer first person shooter player. By the time it was reasonable, it was superseded by the Geforce 4.
keep the new cards coming by Dr.Opveter · 2004-12-02 00:55 · Score: 0

I don't need the latest and greatest but having new cards on the market might bring the 9800 pro within the limits of my budget. I just don't want to spend more than 150 on a videocard that is already 'old'

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Sample this!
540MHz? Smokin Hot? by bigwavejas · 2004-12-02 05:25 · Score: 1

Geez... Gonna have to borrow mom's kitchen fan, or grab dad's compressor from the garage.

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"Simplify, simplify, simplify!" Thoreau