ATI unveils high-end graphics chip

LOS ANGELES: ATI Technologies Inc., unveiled its new high-end graphics chip, and according to some of the Internet's leading Web sites for hardware reviews, the difference between it and top competitor Nvidia Corp. may be too close to call.

The new Radeon X800 will ship initially in two versions, the XT and the slightly less powerful Pro promises roughly double the performance of the last top-flight Radeon, the company said.

The X800 is ATI's answer to the GeForce 6800, the new top-end graphics part that Santa Clara, California-based Nvidia unveiled about three weeks ago.

The two companies are fierce competitors, especially at the high end, where computer add-in cards carrying their chips can sell for as much as $499 and generate healthy profit margins. Those high-end consumers are also important sources for good word-of-mouth on the lower-end graphics units.

Nvidia used to dominate at the high end before stumbling with delays and production problems on a previous top product, the GeForce FX 5800. That let ATI assume the lead, and for the better part of the last year and a half the companies have fought a neck-and-neck battle for the performance crown.

With the release of the X800 Tuesday, hardware enthusiast Web sites were free to post detailed reviews of the new hardware, plus benchmarks and head-to-head comparisons of the two products.

The verdict? As usual in such circumstances, mixed.

"At the end of the day, the performance race is once again too close to call," ExtremeTech.com's Dave Salvator wrote. "Truth is ... neither will leave you wanting for performance."

AnandTech.com gave an edge to ATI, particularly citing the smaller size and power requirements of cards using its chips, but in the end also saw things roughly even.

"I don't think anyone thought the race would be this close after what has been going on over the past couple years with ATI and Nvidia," the site's Derek Wilson said in a review.

HardOCP.com gave both versions of the X800 its "Must Have Hardware" award and said its testing showed Markham, Ontario-based ATI with a clear performance advantage.

"When it comes right down to it the X800Pro matches or beats the GeForce 6800Ultra in game performance and (image quality)," said Brent Justice in his review. "The Radeon X800XT Platinum Edition goes even further and burns through these games like a hot knife through butter, besting Nvidia's 6800Ultra by an easily noticeable real-world margin."

(C) Reuters