14 DAY TRIAL // ATI has announced the launch of its new lineup of video cards, ATI X1000. The new GPUs, based on 90 nanometer technology, will be the foundation for several models, ATI trying to cover all the market segments, from hardcore gamers who want the PC beasts to those who want a low-end video card.
The most awaited model is ATI X1800XT, the lineup's spearhead, aimed at challenging Nvidia GeForce 7800 GTX's supremacy. ATI X1800 XT's is able to run at speeds of 625 MHz, which means 200 MHz more than what the competition currently offers. ATI's video card is fitted with 512 MB of GDDR2 RAM, that runs at 1.5 GHz.
In addition, X1800XT uses a different architecture, that takes advantage of eight 64-bit memory channels, unlike Radeon X850, which has only four 32-bit memory channels. The video card is Crossfire compatible, that meaning it can run in dual configurations, the way Nvidia's SLI cards do.
With these specifications, ATI hopes to recover the handicap induced by the launching delay, the company initially planning to introduce these cards in June.
According to ATI, Radeon X1800XL and Radeon X1300 are available starting immediately, while X1800XT and Radeon X1600 will be introduced later this month, or even in November.
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