"Hi there
To be short and breif I have this information which is accurate and from the main cheeses at ATI, it is NDA but I am not under NDA as such so can give you some info:-
Crossfire working motherboards, graphics cards (X850 XT & X800 XT) available early September.
R520 which will be released in Platinum 512MB (9000 on 3D Mark 2005) available end of September but severe allocation issues, the willy waving product as ATI put it, but not easily available. Plus 512MB means a £450+ price area ish, I have pleaded with ATI to release a 256MB version so I hope they listen, but due to yield rates they may stick to 512MB for ultimate high-end as such. Same as G70, 24 pipelines, approx 520MHz core and 1.4GHz memory.
More readily available at end of September will be the non platinum which will no doubt perform identical to a 7800GTX, 24 pipelines, 500MHz core and 1.3GHz memory expect. Still only 512MB, but again pleaded for a 256MB version, lets keep our finger crossed.
There will also be lower end 16 pipeline version too, no doubt called Pro's.....
So ATI will have a product by end of summer, it has no real performance advantage over the 7800GTX, except for the Platinum edition which will be so severe on availability it will have a £500+VAT price. Obviously R5xx series adds SM3.0 to the lineup and other features NV cards have...
What ATI will rely on is their Crossfire out performing SLi.
Then expect NVIDIA to release a 7800 Ultra in October to beat the Platinum that ATI release. NVIDIA will do their best to stay on top. As NVIDIA are using the 0.11 process they have much better yield rates. Wheras ATI are on a newer 0.09 process which means yields rates to begin with are poor but with time this will improve and when it does ATI cores will overclock like champions, but expect that around R580 time which is Jan/Feb next year which is when NV's new botty kicker cores will show face.
So there you have it, those who have gone ahead with buying 7800GTX you've not lost out and you will no doubt not change your cards for ATI's new one and anybody thinking to buy its clear 7800 GTX is a safe buy.
P.S. X850 XT Platinum on both AGP and PCI-E is now EOL but X850 XT is remaing on both platforms and OcUK might have some treats for you soon on prices."
source
To be short and breif I have this information which is accurate and from the main cheeses at ATI, it is NDA but I am not under NDA as such so can give you some info:-
Crossfire working motherboards, graphics cards (X850 XT & X800 XT) available early September.
R520 which will be released in Platinum 512MB (9000 on 3D Mark 2005) available end of September but severe allocation issues, the willy waving product as ATI put it, but not easily available. Plus 512MB means a £450+ price area ish, I have pleaded with ATI to release a 256MB version so I hope they listen, but due to yield rates they may stick to 512MB for ultimate high-end as such. Same as G70, 24 pipelines, approx 520MHz core and 1.4GHz memory.
More readily available at end of September will be the non platinum which will no doubt perform identical to a 7800GTX, 24 pipelines, 500MHz core and 1.3GHz memory expect. Still only 512MB, but again pleaded for a 256MB version, lets keep our finger crossed.
There will also be lower end 16 pipeline version too, no doubt called Pro's.....
So ATI will have a product by end of summer, it has no real performance advantage over the 7800GTX, except for the Platinum edition which will be so severe on availability it will have a £500+VAT price. Obviously R5xx series adds SM3.0 to the lineup and other features NV cards have...
What ATI will rely on is their Crossfire out performing SLi.
Then expect NVIDIA to release a 7800 Ultra in October to beat the Platinum that ATI release. NVIDIA will do their best to stay on top. As NVIDIA are using the 0.11 process they have much better yield rates. Wheras ATI are on a newer 0.09 process which means yields rates to begin with are poor but with time this will improve and when it does ATI cores will overclock like champions, but expect that around R580 time which is Jan/Feb next year which is when NV's new botty kicker cores will show face.
So there you have it, those who have gone ahead with buying 7800GTX you've not lost out and you will no doubt not change your cards for ATI's new one and anybody thinking to buy its clear 7800 GTX is a safe buy.
P.S. X850 XT Platinum on both AGP and PCI-E is now EOL but X850 XT is remaing on both platforms and OcUK might have some treats for you soon on prices."
source