ATI's Radeon 9800XT, Half Life bundle to be launched in Alcatraz

Dom · Sep 16, 2003, 05:34 AM

ATI'S long awaited card that is expected to take the performance lead in the increasingly bitter graphics battle, is to be launched in Alcatraz, the former prison just a wave away from freedom-loving city San Francisco.

The cards are close to being finalised, with ATI boffins hoping the clock speeds will be a little less than 415MHz for the core, and 730MHz for the memory.

We're not certain that these are the final numbers, but you probably already know that the 30th is also the day when Valve will introduce its highly anticipated Half Life 2 with its now famous benchmarks.

As we said previously, all Radeon 9800XT cards will be shipped with this card and this is likely to cost ATI some serious money -- some are suggesting as much as $8 million, although we still wait to get solid proof about the Nvidia-ATI auction.

The card will cost $399 and will be in the shops two to three weeks after the Alcatraz announcement in serious quantities.

The European launch party will take place in Munich - not so exotic as Alcatraz -- but the place where ATI has its nice offices and as far as we know there will be no Paris and London based parallel events.

As we've said elsewhere, the interesting thing here is whether there was or was not an auction to bundle Half Life 2 with ATI or Nvidia...

_______________________
Source: TheInquirer

Vengeance · Sep 16, 2003, 07:14 AM

So how accurate is The Inquirer in there rumor department?

Logla · Sep 16, 2003, 12:53 PM

I'm even more inclined to go for the 30t now. I just wonder if ATi may have had problems in getting the cards ready in time and if this may have started rumours about the game release slipping.

I will never be able to figure out how marketing works.

brc64 · Sep 16, 2003, 06:01 PM

What an odd place for a video card launch.

- Me

dipstick · Sep 16, 2003, 06:24 PM

Wonder if that $399 price is for a 256mb version

That'd be super sweet, but doubtfull if HL2 is going the same box.

Kgentatszu] · Sep 16, 2003, 06:46 PM

apart from clock speeds, anything different from 9800pro??? DX10perhaps??

dipstick · Sep 16, 2003, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Maxxypoos
apart from clock speeds, anything different from 9800pro??? DX10perhaps??

DX10, no way. Maybe a very thin chance of seeing DX9.1 but thats about it. I'm sure they have reworked afew things to improve performance much more than just clock speeds could alone. We'll know soon enough though

Sep 16, 2003, 05:34 AM	#1
Dom DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 12,940 Rep Power: 0	ATI's Radeon 9800XT, Half Life bundle to be launched in Alcatraz ATI'S long awaited card that is expected to take the performance lead in the increasingly bitter graphics battle, is to be launched in Alcatraz, the former prison just a wave away from freedom-loving city San Francisco. The cards are close to being finalised, with ATI boffins hoping the clock speeds will be a little less than 415MHz for the core, and 730MHz for the memory. We're not certain that these are the final numbers, but you probably already know that the 30th is also the day when Valve will introduce its highly anticipated Half Life 2 with its now famous benchmarks. As we said previously, all Radeon 9800XT cards will be shipped with this card and this is likely to cost ATI some serious money -- some are suggesting as much as $8 million, although we still wait to get solid proof about the Nvidia-ATI auction. The card will cost $399 and will be in the shops two to three weeks after the Alcatraz announcement in serious quantities. The European launch party will take place in Munich - not so exotic as Alcatraz -- but the place where ATI has its nice offices and as far as we know there will be no Paris and London based parallel events. As we've said elsewhere, the interesting thing here is whether there was or was not an auction to bundle Half Life 2 with ATI or Nvidia... _______________________ Source: TheInquirer

Sep 16, 2003, 07:14 AM	#2
Vengeance DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Fort Worth TX Posts: 643 Rep Power: 0	So how accurate is The Inquirer in there rumor department? __________________ [color=red]Rage3D Super Moderator[/color] [color=red]BFG 6800 GT [/color]

Sep 16, 2003, 12:53 PM	#3
Logla HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 3,311 Rep Power: 0	I'm even more inclined to go for the 30t now. I just wonder if ATi may have had problems in getting the cards ready in time and if this may have started rumours about the game release slipping. I will never be able to figure out how marketing works.

Sep 16, 2003, 06:01 PM	#4
brc64 Zeeky H. Bomb Join Date: May 2002 Location: Evansville, IN Posts: 826 Rep Power: 0	What an odd place for a video card launch. - Me

Sep 16, 2003, 06:24 PM	#5
dipstick HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: USA Posts: 3,609 Rep Power: 71 System Specs	Wonder if that $399 price is for a 256mb version That'd be super sweet, but doubtfull if HL2 is going the same box.

Sep 16, 2003, 06:46 PM	#6
Kgentatszu] DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 1,802 Rep Power: 0	apart from clock speeds, anything different from 9800pro??? DX10perhaps??