DH Preview: ATI X1800XT (R520)

Zardon · Oct 5, 2005, 02:57 PM

Product launches are like buses, you wait ages for an ATI product launch and then two come along almost at the same time. Whilst those of the Nvidia persuasion have happily been playing with their SLI and 7800 series those people holding on for the new ATI products have had quite a wait. ATI went some way to resolving that over the last month when they sent out crossfire reviewer kits to journalists … and in a move I can only assume is meant to ensure we’re kept on our toes here today we have the successor to the X850XT – the ATI Radeon X1800XT.

read the review here

Danhill · Oct 5, 2005, 03:19 PM

Great preview, seems to be a great card. When is it going to hit the shelves??

Falstaff · Oct 5, 2005, 03:20 PM

okay okay...whats the damage....

am I going to have to go without something for a few paydays...LOL

as usual...excellent work everyone...

another milestone and a benchmark in hardware testing for the entire community...

but I swear I will not be able to afford it....

emmi · Oct 5, 2005, 03:24 PM

Nice card. I probably won't get it since this wont fit into my Shuttle XPC. Also I wanted to see 24 or 32 pipeline cards. My X800 Pro will do just fine for the next few months.

Asmoday · Oct 5, 2005, 03:32 PM

I want one!

germanjulian · Oct 5, 2005, 03:35 PM

I am dissapointed

its not much faster then nvidia depending what settings you use and what review site you read.

Nvidia cards are available plus will be cheaper for the next 2 to 3 months at least...

Nvidia catched up nicely 2005 and ati has fallen behind...

Best thing that could have happened if you ask me. Competition rules

dam now I have to choose in xmas who i will go with and they are so equal

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danhill

Great preview, seems to be a great card. When is it going to hit the shelves??

Late November... (mhhhhhhhhh )

***Veridian3*** · Oct 5, 2005, 03:38 PM

Availability starts Oct 11th ish i think...seems to vary depending on shop, XL/XT and brand.

For prices check out overclockers.co.uk

***craig5320*** · Oct 5, 2005, 03:40 PM

Really Nice Review there guys, congrats Allan, Stu and Kombatant. Quality stuff. Keep it up.

drakesteakn · Oct 5, 2005, 03:40 PM

seems like a nice card, but no 24 pipes. if it had the 24 pipes it would have crushed hte 7800 series.

i also see no ATI crossfire mobos anywhere.

Kombatant · Oct 5, 2005, 03:40 PM

I found false information in Stu's review!

...I was drinking Pina Coladas, not beer

***Veridian3*** · Oct 5, 2005, 03:43 PM

But thats a girlie drink???

Asmoday · Oct 5, 2005, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Veridian3

But thats a girlie drink???

Yes it really is....

Kombatant · Oct 5, 2005, 03:54 PM

But...but...but I liked it

bug77 · Oct 5, 2005, 04:15 PM

Nice job, but almost 6 months late and marginally better? Plus, I can't tell if OpenGL support has been improved accordingly...
I was actually looking forward to X1600XT, but, again, it seems to be mostly on par with my 6600GT.

PS: There's a beer on my desk as I type

Firstperson · Oct 5, 2005, 04:21 PM

I really was not that impressed. ATI seems to finally step up to the plate..... but isn't it to late???

I guess the hard core ATI customers have waited. But I would bet this card is going to go for 599 just like the launch of GTX. But you can get a GTX for 419(NewEgg).

There was no 7800GTX SLI????

I will say that the X1800 finally has a lot of great features that they have needed!!

Wheres the X1700 AT?? seem like a huge drop from the x1800-x1600

Zardon · Oct 5, 2005, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Firstperson

I really was not that impressed. ATI seems to finally step up to the plate..... but isn't it to late???

It could well be, however both companies have their share of loyal followers.

Quote:

I guess the hard core ATI customers have waited. But I would bet this card is going to go for 599 just like the launch of GTX. But you can get a GTX for 419(NewEgg).

Indeed the GTX is great value right now with some cards being available in the UK for just over £300.

Quote:

There was no 7800GTX SLI????

So you wanted a dual GTX setup to compare with one X1800XT ? Nvidia were generous enough to lend us hardware but we had very limited time for this article, im also not sure its a viable comparison, Do you?

Quote:

Wheres the X1700 AT?? seem like a huge drop from the x1800-x1600

More cards in the range will be reviewed on DH shortly.

jasonbourne · Oct 5, 2005, 04:46 PM

i want one!!!!!!! plz get me one for xmas!!the card looks lush!!

***Veridian3*** · Oct 5, 2005, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Firstperson

I really was not that impressed. ATI seems to finally step up to the plate..... but isn't it to late???

I guess the hard core ATI customers have waited. But I would bet this card is going to go for 599 just like the launch of GTX. But you can get a GTX for 419(NewEgg).

There was no 7800GTX SLI????

I will say that the X1800 finally has a lot of great features that they have needed!!

Wheres the X1700 AT?? seem like a huge drop from the x1800-x1600

Not quite sure what article you read...
...in everything but Doom3 the X18 is faster than the GTX...in some cases considerably so. I find that quite impressive.

Additionally something that is worth paying for over the GTX is A) the extra 256mb and B) the HDR with AA. Both are must have features nowadays for people on high end cards.

As for GTX SLI...
...i had a total of 24 hours to get the article done including doing all the GTX again with 81.82 and all of the X18 benches + writing it all up, holding down a full time job, sleeping and looking after a 1year old... somehow i managed to fit in eating too.

GTX SLI was the last thing on my mind... though if it helps... take the GT SLI scores and add approx 10fps. That should get you to the rough area of the GTX

Firstperson · Oct 5, 2005, 05:01 PM

I’m not blaming your guy's; the article was good.

What article I read??? come on it doesn't take a genius to figure out its stupid to pay almost 200 dollars more for a "minimal" improvement.

The fact of the matter is ATI's card should have blown away the 7800 series, or at least toppled it

As for adding the 7800GTX it’s not about being fair, it about showing what the fastest graphics solution on the market is. And quite frankly I believe Nvidia still has that with the GTX SLI. But I could be wrong because I don't have any numbers to go by

As soon as Nvidia releases there next product 7800 512 or ultra model I am sure the X1800 will be running. And hell the way things have been going I wouldn't doubt that Nvidia could put there new card on shelves before ATI's X1800 anyway!!

As for the 1 year old...holy crap I have a 17month old and I hardly have time to crap around here....cheers to you!!

bug77 · Oct 5, 2005, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Firstperson

Wheres the X1700 AT?? seem like a huge drop from the x1800-x1600

Yup, a 256bit X1600 would have been sweet. Somehow ATi missed the mainstream segment again. This will hurt a lot.

**temeteus82** · Oct 5, 2005, 05:02 PM

Nice preview, I'm hoping to see that x1600 line in stores in xmas...

riles9262 · Oct 5, 2005, 05:10 PM

Nice preview for sure, and the card performs great, although I also think that ati is late getting this part out...however, it's going to be an exciting holiday season.

Sandok · Oct 5, 2005, 05:36 PM

Nice but I've seen very different results on different sites... I keep my judgement to myself

Ubergrendle · Oct 5, 2005, 05:43 PM

wow, alot of negative comments about this release. i suspect its a contrast between hype (e.g. it will annihilate Nvidia) vs reality (competitive cards, marginal nod to X1800 under high stress conditions).

based on this review, it looks like ATI is being more effective with their use of 'pipes' vs increasing the number of pipes. Theoretically this means ATI can release higher end cards down the road with more pipes using the same chipset... advantage ATI. but how much that will cost them, and how quickly they can bring it to market, remains to be seen. the high clock is disconcerting too.

one advantage Nvidia has w/ the 7800 is its been on the market for ~6mos...and they've had 6 mos of driver tweaks accumulatedi n this release. personally I trust ATI drivers much more than nvidia so i anticipate another 5-10% performance increase over the lifespan of these cards.

good review DH! some nice context provided in conjunction w/ the benchmarks.

PS As for SLI, yeah a system with 2x 7800GTXes o'clocked will rock, but the total cost of ownership (TCO) is ridiculous, and I'd hate to see the owner's electric bill.

Beyond a straight-on comparison between 7800s and x1800s, i personally am not interested.

Erroneus · Oct 5, 2005, 06:00 PM

Well I went from "Its gonna crush 7800gtx!!" to "oh it's only a 16 pipe card, proberly a bit slower then 7800gtx"

and now:
It's a great card but it's alot of money to pay for it, compared to 7800gtx.

It will proberly drop fast in price and hit 500$ within 3 weeks. I'm waiting to r580 though, can't wait to see what these puppies can do with 32 pipes

Partizan · Oct 5, 2005, 06:02 PM

Screw the card, I want that big RUBY picture!!!!!!!

Regards, Partizan

Sandok · Oct 5, 2005, 06:08 PM

Sad sad man

Rasta Monsta · Oct 5, 2005, 06:18 PM

Those benchies make me so happy, I am compelled to share this ridiculous fanboy article.

Ultimate tech news site? Ouch.

rasta

dipstick · Oct 5, 2005, 06:45 PM

I think the card is very impressive, especially for a 16 piper. But I was waiting for a card that would make me regret not waiting for it, which it doesn’t do. In a way I’m both happy and disappointed hehe(yes, I am a weird dude). They should also have kept the clear hsf cover from the X850's, that white one is butt ugly(gotta find something wrong with the card lol)
Nicely done guys

Judas · Oct 5, 2005, 07:31 PM

i'm curious if it has the 3mega pixel frame buffer (i think this is what is needed) so that you can run the max HD res or anything beyond 1600x1200 resolutions.

I know the nvidia cards have this, making quite a major impact on preformance anything above 1600x1200

Oct 5, 2005, 02:57 PM	#1
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 177	DH Preview: ATI X1800XT (R520) Product launches are like buses, you wait ages for an ATI product launch and then two come along almost at the same time. Whilst those of the Nvidia persuasion have happily been playing with their SLI and 7800 series those people holding on for the new ATI products have had quite a wait. ATI went some way to resolving that over the last month when they sent out crossfire reviewer kits to journalists … and in a move I can only assume is meant to ensure we’re kept on our toes here today we have the successor to the X850XT – the ATI Radeon X1800XT. read the review here

Oct 5, 2005, 03:19 PM	#2
Danhill DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Sweden Posts: 4,112 Rep Power: 0	Great preview, seems to be a great card. When is it going to hit the shelves?? __________________ MOBO: [color=white]ASUS A8N-SLI Premium[/color] CPU: AMD 64 3200+ (Venice) @ 2,50 Ghz MEM: 2 x 512 DDR 466, VGA: 2 x 6600 GT in SLI, HDD1: WD Raptor HDD2: Maxtor Diamond Plus 9, Case: Antec Plus View 1080, PSU: ThermalTake PurePower 500W, MX 1000, Dell 2001 FP, Aud. 2 SZ

Oct 5, 2005, 03:20 PM	#3
Falstaff Old Codger Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: USAFA Posts: 19,047 Rep Power: 206	okay okay...whats the damage.... am I going to have to go without something for a few paydays...LOL as usual...excellent work everyone... another milestone and a benchmark in hardware testing for the entire community... but I swear I will not be able to afford it.... __________________ "Inspiration is always a surprising visitor."

Oct 5, 2005, 03:32 PM	#5
Asmoday Demonic Join Date: May 2002 Location: In the cold, dark north... Posts: 5,198 Rep Power: 90 System Specs	I want one! __________________ How You can help Hardwareheaven by using Digg

Oct 5, 2005, 03:40 PM	#8
*craig5320* HH Administrator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 8,282 Rep Power: 428 System Specs	Really Nice Review there guys, congrats Allan, Stu and Kombatant. Quality stuff. Keep it up. __________________

Oct 5, 2005, 03:24 PM	#4
emmi Driverheaven Mirror Provider Join Date: May 2003 Location: Iceland Posts: 78 Rep Power: 0	Nice card. I probably won't get it since this wont fit into my Shuttle XPC. Also I wanted to see 24 or 32 pipeline cards. My X800 Pro will do just fine for the next few months.

Oct 5, 2005, 03:38 PM	#7
*Veridian3* Administrator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Cloaked Posts: 4,832 Rep Power: 174	Availability starts Oct 11th ish i think...seems to vary depending on shop, XL/XT and brand. For prices check out overclockers.co.uk

Oct 5, 2005, 03:40 PM	#9
drakesteakn boo!!!! Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Ft. Meyers, FL Posts: 2,041 Rep Power: 57	seems like a nice card, but no 24 pipes. if it had the 24 pipes it would have crushed hte 7800 series. i also see no ATI crossfire mobos anywhere. __________________

Oct 5, 2005, 03:40 PM	#10
Kombatant DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Athens, Hellas Posts: 644 Rep Power: 60	I found false information in Stu's review! ...I was drinking Pina Coladas, not beer __________________ There is no spoon... Kombatant's Lair

Oct 5, 2005, 03:43 PM	#11
*Veridian3* Administrator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Cloaked Posts: 4,832 Rep Power: 174	But thats a girlie drink???

Oct 5, 2005, 03:54 PM	#13
Kombatant DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Athens, Hellas Posts: 644 Rep Power: 60	But...but...but I liked it __________________ There is no spoon... Kombatant's Lair

Oct 5, 2005, 04:15 PM	#14
bug77 DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: around Posts: 792 Rep Power: 0	Nice job, but almost 6 months late and marginally better? Plus, I can't tell if OpenGL support has been improved accordingly... I was actually looking forward to X1600XT, but, again, it seems to be mostly on par with my 6600GT. PS: There's a beer on my desk as I type

Oct 5, 2005, 04:21 PM	#15
Firstperson What? Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Grand Rapids MI Posts: 232 Rep Power: 0	I really was not that impressed. ATI seems to finally step up to the plate..... but isn't it to late??? I guess the hard core ATI customers have waited. But I would bet this card is going to go for 599 just like the launch of GTX. But you can get a GTX for 419(NewEgg). There was no 7800GTX SLI???? I will say that the X1800 finally has a lot of great features that they have needed!! Wheres the X1700 AT?? seem like a huge drop from the x1800-x1600 __________________

Oct 5, 2005, 04:46 PM	#17
jasonbourne DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: great yarmouth uk Posts: 1,082 Rep Power: 0	i want one!!!!!!! plz get me one for xmas!!the card looks lush!! __________________ http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y28...asonBourne.jpg

Oct 5, 2005, 05:01 PM	#19
Firstperson What? Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Grand Rapids MI Posts: 232 Rep Power: 0	I’m not blaming your guy's; the article was good. What article I read??? come on it doesn't take a genius to figure out its stupid to pay almost 200 dollars more for a "minimal" improvement. The fact of the matter is ATI's card should have blown away the 7800 series, or at least toppled it As for adding the 7800GTX it’s not about being fair, it about showing what the fastest graphics solution on the market is. And quite frankly I believe Nvidia still has that with the GTX SLI. But I could be wrong because I don't have any numbers to go by As soon as Nvidia releases there next product 7800 512 or ultra model I am sure the X1800 will be running. And hell the way things have been going I wouldn't doubt that Nvidia could put there new card on shelves before ATI's X1800 anyway!! As for the 1 year old...holy crap I have a 17month old and I hardly have time to crap around here....cheers to you!! __________________

Oct 5, 2005, 05:10 PM	#22
riles9262 Driverheaven brewmaster Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: British Columbia, Canada Posts: 4,842 Rep Power: 70 System Specs	Nice preview for sure, and the card performs great, although I also think that ati is late getting this part out...however, it's going to be an exciting holiday season. __________________ A beer a day keeps the doctor away.

Oct 5, 2005, 05:36 PM	#23
Sandok DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 9,472 Rep Power: 66	Nice but I've seen very different results on different sites... I keep my judgement to myself

Oct 5, 2005, 05:43 PM	#24
Ubergrendle Semper ubi sub ubi Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Toronto Posts: 702 Rep Power: 0	wow, alot of negative comments about this release. i suspect its a contrast between hype (e.g. it will annihilate Nvidia) vs reality (competitive cards, marginal nod to X1800 under high stress conditions). based on this review, it looks like ATI is being more effective with their use of 'pipes' vs increasing the number of pipes. Theoretically this means ATI can release higher end cards down the road with more pipes using the same chipset... advantage ATI. but how much that will cost them, and how quickly they can bring it to market, remains to be seen. the high clock is disconcerting too. one advantage Nvidia has w/ the 7800 is its been on the market for ~6mos...and they've had 6 mos of driver tweaks accumulatedi n this release. personally I trust ATI drivers much more than nvidia so i anticipate another 5-10% performance increase over the lifespan of these cards. good review DH! some nice context provided in conjunction w/ the benchmarks. PS As for SLI, yeah a system with 2x 7800GTXes o'clocked will rock, but the total cost of ownership (TCO) is ridiculous, and I'd hate to see the owner's electric bill. Beyond a straight-on comparison between 7800s and x1800s, i personally am not interested. __________________ Veteran of the PC Microchannel / EISA wars of the late 1980s.

Oct 5, 2005, 06:00 PM	#25
Erroneus Get off my lawn! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Denmark Posts: 13,343 Rep Power: 114 System Specs	Well I went from "Its gonna crush 7800gtx!!" to "oh it's only a 16 pipe card, proberly a bit slower then 7800gtx" and now: It's a great card but it's alot of money to pay for it, compared to 7800gtx. It will proberly drop fast in price and hit 500$ within 3 weeks. I'm waiting to r580 though, can't wait to see what these puppies can do with 32 pipes __________________

Oct 5, 2005, 06:02 PM	#26
Partizan Fun loving criminal Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Slovenia Posts: 1,182 Rep Power: 60 System Specs	Screw the card, I want that big RUBY picture!!!!!!! Regards, Partizan __________________ Live and let live!

Oct 5, 2005, 06:08 PM	#27
Sandok DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 9,472 Rep Power: 66	Sad sad man

Oct 5, 2005, 06:45 PM	#29
dipstick HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: USA Posts: 3,609 Rep Power: 70 System Specs	I think the card is very impressive, especially for a 16 piper. But I was waiting for a card that would make me regret not waiting for it, which it doesn’t do. In a way I’m both happy and disappointed hehe(yes, I am a weird dude). They should also have kept the clear hsf cover from the X850's, that white one is butt ugly(gotta find something wrong with the card lol) Nicely done guys