HEXUS.beans :: ATi RADEON X1600 PRO and XT come into focus earlier than expected

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Published: Monday 28th November, 2005 | Author: David Ross
Companies: Sapphire (All Sapphire content)

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Sapphire Technology first to market again...

HEXUS.beans :: ATi RADEON X1600 PRO and XT come into focus earlier than expected.

During the launch of its RADEON X1800 XT, ATi Technologies told HEXUS that its new mid-range offerings - RADEON X1600 PRO and XT - wouldn't come until the early part of the first quarter of 2006; perhaps in January or February.

However, HEXUS has just learnt that that ATi's largest Add-In-Board (AIB) partner, Sapphire Technology, has finally started to ship its range of products based on the ATi RADEON X1600 GPU (RV530).

Even though, relative to some of ATi’s own RADEON X800 based products, the performance gain of RADEON X1600 is questionable, it seems that because there are apparently huge shortages of all ATi product in the channel, means that the RADEON X1600 is still likely to sell well.

RADEON X1600 parts from Sapphire Technology should come in at around e189 for a full retail edition, but for some, the juicer part of this HEXUS.bean is that Sapphire have managed to produce more of its highly overclockable RADEON X800 GTO and RADEON X800 GTO², which with the natural price drops should means that there will be some performance bargains to be had.

HEXUS.community :: your right2reply

Posted by Rys - Mon 28th Nov 2005, 5:15pm

Nov 30th was always the release date, with Rich Heye saying something like "if we can go early, we will", when discussing volume production in Ibiza on launch. Odd story!Quote

Posted by DR - Mon 28th Nov 2005, 5:34pm

Quote: Rys
Nov 30th was always the release date, with Rich Heye saying something like "if we can go early, we will", when discussing volume production in Ibiza on launch. Odd story!

There has been significant correspondance recently with ATI and also with board partners sayings something totally different.

I am glad Richard Heye was right, however ATI should keep there partners up to date surely?Quote

Posted by Rys - Mon 28th Nov 2005, 5:52pm

If partners have been going on different info, of course.Quote

Posted by DR - Mon 28th Nov 2005, 6:12pm

Indeed :)Quote