14 DAY TRIAL // AMD is clearly proving itself to be one of the leading manufacturers of computer graphics worldwide. The Sunnyvale-based company has just unveiled its latest notebook-oriented technology, dubbed ATI XGP. The new product is an external PCI Express 2.0 graphics platform, designed to bring to notebook computer users the graphical power of the latest desktop systems.
ATI XGP is the first technology ever to capitalize on the PCIe 2.0 standard in order to deliver enthusiast-class graphics via a cable connected to an externally powered and cooled device. Unlike previous consumer level external solutions, the new AMD technology is said to provide up to 4.0 Gbyte/s in each direction in bandwidth communication between the notebook and external graphics.
The ATI XGP Technology will be launched with the newly announced ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3800 series, which will enhance notebook users' experience in HD graphics. Another innovation that the ATI XGP brings is the fact that it delivers multi-GPU capabilities of scalable performance with ATI CrossFireX technology. This actually means putting together two of AMD's graphics technologies in order to provide notebook users with high-end graphics quality.
"With ATI XGP Technology, notebooks can switch between everyday computing and hard-core gaming with a simple plug-in that's also portable enough to bring powerful 3D performance on-the-go," said Matt Skynner, vice president of Marketing, Graphics Products Group, AMD. "This technology allows users to choose notebooks with slim, lightweight and elegant designs, yet enjoy the full performance of a traditional desktop gaming rig wherever it's convenient."
The ATI XGP Technology will be encased in an external chassis connected to the notebook via a specially designed self-latching PCIe 2.0 cable from Japan Aviation Electronics Industry Limited. Initially, the ATI XGP technology will feature the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3800 series graphics solution, which is said to provide notebook users with a number of functionalities, including the PCI Express 2.0 and ATI Avivo HD technology support.