1650 XT Mass Release

Using 24 pixel shaders and 8 pixel pipelines, the newcomer RV560 may just be the thing ATI needs to regain the first place in the value segment. As it was previously reported, RV 560 boards feature internal crossfire connectors and support multi-GPU configurations on Intel p965 and 975x motherboards. About this new release ATI commented:

The ATI Radeon X1650 XT redefines value at this phenomenal level of performance and features," said Rick Bergman, senior vice president and general manager, Graphics Products Group, AMD. "This new product simplifies the CrossFire experience by using two identical ATI Radeon X1650 XT CrossFire branded cards. Gamers can expect strong performance, flexibility and upgradeability with this new card.

Coming to the multimedia part, X1650 XT supports HDCP compliance with integrated keys in the EEPROM and AVIVO technology, being also fully compliant with the AERO interface of Windows Vista.

Sapphire were the first to launch an X1650 XT based card, spotting a 575 MHz core clock and 1350 GDDR3 speed, coupled with 128-bit memory interface. The card has dual DVI outputs and also TV-out. 2 versions were announced: one with 265MB onboard, and another using 512MB.

ATI points X1650 XT in the same price tag as NVIDIA's 7600GT motive for which it will be sold in stores for as low as $149. Still no AGP board in sight, at least not coming from Sapphire.