ATI RADEON 9600 XT: to OVERDRIVE, or not to OVERDRIVE?

**MIG-31** · Feb 10, 2004, 04:16 PM

How to Distinguish Between Graphics Cards with and Without OVERDRIVE?

"A number of readers asked us about distinguishing between different RADEON 9600 XT based graphics cards with and without OVERDRIVE capability. Apparently, not all “Powered by ATI” performance mainstream solutions of the most recent generation sport the highly advertised feature.

OVERDRIVE technology is a combination of hardware and software means that allow the graphics card to dynamically adjust clock-frequency of the chip depending on its temperature that is measured by a special on-chip thermal sensor. The OVERDRIVE capability has been available on mobile VPUs from ATI for some time now, while desktop graphics cards acquired the technique only in their latest generation – the “XT” series of processors."

Full article: x-bitlabs

Rayder · Feb 10, 2004, 06:04 PM

It seems to me that ATI should jump on these 3rd-party companies that labled their 9600's as XT, when Overdirve doesn't work on them, and FORCE them to change the packaging to accurately reflect the fact that it isn't a REAL "XT capable" card. If nothing else, just to stave off the bad publicitly and confusion caused by this issue.

All they would need to do is add a little sticker on current available product SKU's that don't really support Overdrive to say, "Does not support the Overdrive(tm) feature of the Catalyst(tm) drivers", and change future packaging of those cards to irradicate the error.

Sounds simple enough to me.

That would solve the problem, wouldn't it?

mkk · Feb 11, 2004, 03:39 AM

I'm afraid it's business as usual for some of these companies. Just as there are Pro cards that aren't up to standard specs. It's been the same for quite some time so apparently ATI care too much about manufacturer relations to impose clear rules. Can't blame them too much, but it would be great for the customers to be able to solely rely on the model markings. Customers should expect to be able to do that too.

Feb 10, 2004, 04:16 PM	#1
MIG-31 HardwareHeaven News Mod Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Nottingham,UK Posts: 56,843 Rep Power: 471 System Specs	ATI RADEON 9600 XT: to OVERDRIVE, or not to OVERDRIVE? How to Distinguish Between Graphics Cards with and Without OVERDRIVE? "A number of readers asked us about distinguishing between different RADEON 9600 XT based graphics cards with and without OVERDRIVE capability. Apparently, not all “Powered by ATI” performance mainstream solutions of the most recent generation sport the highly advertised feature. OVERDRIVE technology is a combination of hardware and software means that allow the graphics card to dynamically adjust clock-frequency of the chip depending on its temperature that is measured by a special on-chip thermal sensor. The OVERDRIVE capability has been available on mobile VPUs from ATI for some time now, while desktop graphics cards acquired the technique only in their latest generation – the “XT” series of processors." Full article: x-bitlabs

Feb 10, 2004, 06:04 PM	#2
Rayder Mostly lurking lately.... Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 2,161 Rep Power: 73	It seems to me that ATI should jump on these 3rd-party companies that labled their 9600's as XT, when Overdirve doesn't work on them, and FORCE them to change the packaging to accurately reflect the fact that it isn't a REAL "XT capable" card. If nothing else, just to stave off the bad publicitly and confusion caused by this issue. All they would need to do is add a little sticker on current available product SKU's that don't really support Overdrive to say, "Does not support the Overdrive(tm) feature of the Catalyst(tm) drivers", and change future packaging of those cards to irradicate the error. Sounds simple enough to me. That would solve the problem, wouldn't it?

Feb 11, 2004, 03:39 AM	#3
mkk Cthulhu/Dagon 2012 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Gefle, Sweden Posts: 4,494 Rep Power: 132 System Specs	I'm afraid it's business as usual for some of these companies. Just as there are Pro cards that aren't up to standard specs. It's been the same for quite some time so apparently ATI care too much about manufacturer relations to impose clear rules. Can't blame them too much, but it would be great for the customers to be able to solely rely on the model markings. Customers should expect to be able to do that too.