5870 X2 coming late Q4 2009

[josiahsuarez]

http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/video/display/20090901100241_ATI_Plans_to_Release_Dual_Chip_Dire ctX_11_Graphics_Board_Late_in_2009.html
ATI Plans to Release Dual-Chip DirectX 11 Graphics Board Late in 2009.

ATI’s Hemlock Due Late in Q4 2009
[09/01/2009 10:02 AM]
by Anton Shilov

ATI, graphics business unit of Advanced Micro Devices, plans to release its new flagship dual-chip graphics board sometime in Q4 2009, according to sources with knowledge of the matter. The new board is code-named Hemlock and it will replace the Radeon HD 4870 X2, which has been the top-of-the-range offering from ATI for over a year now.

At present there are no precise details about ATI Radeon HD 5870 X2 “Hemlock” graphics card available, but it can be expected that the product will feature 2GB of GDDR5 memory as well as numerous digital outputs, including DisplayPort, DVI, HDMI. Actual performance and other specifications will be determined a little closer to the release dates and will depend on competitive position of AMD’s graphics business unit.

At present ATI plans to release five DirectX 11 graphics processors aiming different market segments. All of presently known DX11-supporging graphics processing units (GPUs) from ATI will be made using 40nm fabrication process at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company; hence, the initial success of the new product line will depend on yields at the contract maker of semiconductors.

[josiahsuarez]

bsn says it will cost $599

http://www.brightsideofnews.com/news/2009/9/2/ati-radeon-58502c-58702c-5870x2-pricing-revealed.aspx

Next week, AMD will reveal its top-to-bottom DirectX 11 lineup, with the top three parts heading out to the stores. As ATI Evergreen family of graphics cards is taking its shape as multiple parts that cover top to bottom of world's PC line-up. As it usually goes, the availability won't be on the same date, but ATI will do a multi-part launch targeting hard availability in the whole world for the each part.

We managed to learn some interesting details about the top-end, Radeon 5800 series. Unlike some inaccurate publications that toyed with the name "Radeon 7", the Radeon 5000 series is a natural continuation of trend started with X1K series.

The top dog carries the name Radeon HD 5870X2, and we are talking about single-PCB, dual-GPU card that will retail for cool $599. This is still $50 cheaper than GTX280 at the time of its debut [do you remember the outrageous $649?], but bear in mind that this is a top dog part.

For some odd reason, the $499 bracket will remain without a card. We expect that slot will be filled with a water-cooled edition of 5870, or more likely - 5870X2 once that nVidia launches their competing products. Afore mentioned Radeon HD 5870 is set to go on sale for $379-399, while the cheapest entry into the 5800 series, the Radeon HD 5850 is priced in the $279-299 bracket.

We expect that the first batch of products will come without any MIR [Mail-In-Rebates], so priced at 299-399-599, but with the launch of GT300, market incentives will go into action and this time around, AMD does not want to stop its momentum and wants to rule the roost. According to sources close to the heart of the company, they want to firmly beat nVidia and establish themselves as the kings of GPU market.

ATI RV870 GPU is rotated just as ATI R600 wasEven though the chip is huge, and rotated at a certain angle compared to the organic package [remember ATI R600 GPU?], the yields for RV870 are really good and there should be a significant chunk of chips coming to the market. According to the sources at hand, TSMC significantly improved the yield from the first batch of chips and that should significantly help the margins on these multi-billion parts. Bear in mind that AMD Graphics e.g. ATI is expected to carry the company in consumer segment until the Bulldozer architecture arrives in 2011, so a lot is expected from Evergreen generation. In a way, AMD plans to recapture the crown it took in 2002 with the world's first DirectX 9 parts.

Which brings us to the interesting comparison: in the past seven years, nVidia was the top dog for paired versions of DirectX - 8 [GeForce 3] and 10 [GeForce 8800], while ATI was brilliant in DirectX 9 [Radeon 9700] and looks good for DirectX 11 [Radeon HD 5000]. After all, DirectX 11 is being considered as the key API for the upcoming generation of not just the personal computers, but consoles as well. Whoever wins the "Xbox 3" contract, they will build the part upon the features introduced with DX11, and same thing applies to other consoles on the market, only they will use those features using available Open API's such as OpenGL and OpenCL.

Determination is the key, and AMD wants to beat nVidia badly. The only real challenge AMD faces is the fact that company is rather uneasy when it comes to making custom build parts that are the main reason why nVidia has a firm sales grip on the market: nVidia's AIBs are allowed to do something extra in hand, such as the recent launch of EVGA's "World Record Beating" platform featuring world's first graphics card with three 6-pin power connectors. If ATI overcomes that and allows their partners heavy modifications of the cards 3-6 months down the line, nVidia just might be in real trouble.

[bob saget]

it will replace the Radeon HD 4870 X2, which has been the top-of-the-range offering from ATI for over a year now.

How time flies.....

[Heinz68]

The prices are higher than in other rumors, I wish Theo is not right.

[slaWter]

The prices are higher than in other rumors, I wish Theo is not right.

I'd say the higher prices could be true, it's still not very expensive though, compared to a few years ago.

ATI needs to make more profit per card and this time they have a head start over the competition, perfect opportunity IMO.

[fasedww]

I'm getting two 5870X2's and watercool them for my rig #2.:D

[Toss3]

The prices are higher than in other rumors, I wish Theo is not right.
Just wait 'til the GT300 is launched and you'll see the prices go down pretty fast.

[methimpikehoses]

need to see some benchies, stat. 30 seconds, SR.

[a12ctic]

AMD will release its 58x0 series chips, then roll out the X2 when Nvidia releases their first line of GT300 cards. AMD is smart, they've been so aggressive popping out interesting products even when their entire line up isn't quite what it should be. Nvidia is in for a tough couple months for sure. If Steam poll results mean anything, people liked the 4x00 series a lot more than the 2x0 series.

[mtl]

Nvidia still outsells ATI by almost 2 to 1 as of the latest quarter, which was actually an improvement for ATI.
Despite its renewed competitiveness, however, AMD hadn’t yet seen a sustained growth in market share, as Nvidia adamantly refused to give up any volume, aggressively cutting prices as necessary to avoid a loss in share.

But as prices settled out and AMD got its RV770 GPU (and subsequent derivatives RV730, RV790, RV740) in place across the Radeon line-up, the company did finally see a meaningful tick up in market position. JPR’s tabulations show AMD’s unit share rising from 31% in the first quarter to 35% in Q2’09, with Nvidia declining four points to 64%.

[Redeemed]

AMD will release its 58x0 series chips, then roll out the X2 when Nvidia releases their first line of GT300 cards. AMD is smart, they've been so aggressive popping out interesting products even when their entire line up isn't quite what it should be. Nvidia is in for a tough couple months for sure. If Steam poll results mean anything, people liked the 4x00 series a lot more than the 2x0 series.

I'm actually very please with my GTX260 core216. It'll play every game I own, including Crysis, maxed at 1680x1050 (minus the use of AA and AF of course).

That said, I'm considering selling it to a co-worker as I have high-hope for the 5800 series. And if I can grab a 5870 for under $400 (let's say $350 shipped) and gain near twice the performance of my GTX260 while only being out $200 (after selling my GTX260) then so be it. :)

Further more, my mobo supporst SLi and CrossFire so if the prices dropped and drivers were up to par, I can throw a second 5870 in the mix. :)

X58 FTW. :lol: Now if only AMD could get a chipset that supported both CrossFire and SLi.

[grey_1]

X58 FTW. :lol: Now if only AMD could get a driver set worthy of their hardware......

*fixed*

The last 2 sets have caused crashes and stuttering in my 2 most played games, Witcher and L4D.

I'm not buying anything until I see consistent reviews stating that ATI's drivers are much less buggy. They seem to be getting worse.

[kaptkarl]

*fixed*

The last 2 sets have caused crashes and stuttering in my 2 most played games, Witcher and L4D.

I'm not buying anything until I see consistent reviews stating that ATI's drivers are much less buggy. They seem to be getting worse.

I'm not buying that argument. Absolutely nothing wrong w/ ATI's drivers IMHO. I've done 2 builds in the last several months, one w/ the 4800 series from ATI, and one w/ GTX200 series from NVidia.

Conclusion: I've experienced several minor issues w/ Nvidia drivers, while experiencing none...THAT IS NOT ONE issue w/ATI's drivers. My good IT friend at Walkovia has had issues w/ NVidia's vid drivers, and he's an NVidia fanboy and experienced builder.


Why do folks in this forum insist on bashing ATI's drivers? I just don't get it. From my personal experiences in the last year ATI's drivers are good, if not better, than NVidia's. They may not have all the bell and whistles, but performance wise they're solid. Sorry guys.....the truth hurts.

Kapt

[grey_1]

I'm not buying that argument. Absolutely nothing wrong w/ ATI's drivers IMHO. I've done 2 builds in the last several months, one w/ the 4800 series from ATI, and one w/ GTX200 series from NVidia.

Conclusion: I've experienced several minor issues w/ Nvidia drivers, while experiencing none...THAT IS NOT ONE issue w/ATI's drivers. My good IT friend at Walkovia has had issues w/ NVidia's vid drivers, and he's an NVidia fanboy and experienced builder.


Why do folks in this forum insist on bashing ATI's drivers? I just don't get it. From my personal experiences in the last year ATI's drivers are good, if not better, than NVidia's. They may not have all the bell and whistles, but performance wise they're solid. Sorry guys.....the truth hurts.

Kapt

Alright, I came back and edited this entire post because I responded angrily to your tone.

Reread my post. You will see me clearly state I have had stuttering issues with the last 2 sets. Not one bit of bashing as I enjoy the heck out of my 4870.

Now, just because you are not experiencing issues, does not mean that someone else will have the same exact experience.

Now, do you have anything useful to contribute? Otherwise i will just wait for the next set and continue reading at rage to see what fixes they are finding for all the problems that they too, are having.

[kaptkarl]

Alright, I came back and edited this entire post because I responded angrily to your tone.

Reread my post. You will see me clearly state I have had stuttering issues with the last 2 sets. Not one bit of bashing as I enjoy the heck out of my 4870.

Now, just because you are not experiencing issues, does not mean that someone else will have the same exact experience.

Now, do you have anything useful to contribute? Otherwise i will just wait for the next set and continue reading at rage to see what fixes they are finding for all the problems that they too, are having.

Please don't take offense to my post. It wasn't meant to be offensive at all. I just get sick and tired of folks on this forum saying how bad ATI's driver are just to make Nvidia look good...please.

Yes I have something to contribute here...............I myself would have picked up a 4870 had it not been for the great deal I got on my GTX260. I'm looking forward to giving ATI another run this round if the rumors about the 5800 series cards are true. Gotta' love the competition. It's good for us gamers!

Just a note: It seems to me that both sides are/have been experiencing stuttering w/ the X2cards. Hopefully that will be addressed with the next generation in the coming months.

Kapt

[a12ctic]

The reality of the situation is that somebody is bound to have problems with the driver sets of either companies. I think both companies have pretty good drivers.

[nekrosoft13]

Alright, I came back and edited this entire post because I responded angrily to your tone.

Reread my post. You will see me clearly state I have had stuttering issues with the last 2 sets. Not one bit of bashing as I enjoy the heck out of my 4870.

Now, just because you are not experiencing issues, does not mean that someone else will have the same exact experience.

Now, do you have anything useful to contribute? Otherwise i will just wait for the next set and continue reading at rage to see what fixes they are finding for all the problems that they too, are having.

currently I have one ati card in my entire house and will stay that for a while. until they fix the control panel and or release huge overhaul that doesn't make any bad changed like they recently made.

don't remember when excactly but quite recently ati decided to redesign ccc, and they took step for the worst. bad placement of control options. also don't understand who was the genius to decide to pernamently hide the side menu.

[kaptkarl]

The reality of the situation is that somebody is bound to have problems with the driver sets of either companies. I think both companies have pretty good drivers.

What he said......

Kapt

[grey_1]

Please don't take offense to my post. It wasn't meant to be offensive at all. I just get sick and tired of folks on this forum saying how bad ATI's driver are just to make Nvidia look good...please.

Yes I have something to contribute here...............I myself would have picked up a 4870 had it not been for the great deal I got on my GTX260. I'm looking forward to giving ATI another run this round if the rumors about the 5800 series cards are true. Gotta' love the competition. It's good for us gamers!

Just a note: It seems to me that both sides are/have been experiencing stuttering w/ the X2cards. Hopefully that will be addressed with the next generation in the coming months.

Kapt

It's cool Kapt, I rarely post in the driver (or several other sections lol) due to the fanboy mentality. I understand exactly what you mean.

I'm currently running both ATI and NV in my house, and as I stated have had minor problems with both, nothing major until these past 2 sets, but I'm wondering if my card may be on the fritz too. if that's the case then I have a decision to make and would love for benchies on this new X2 before I'm forced to buy.

[josiahsuarez]

in soviet russia, driver installs you!

[john19055]

If the ATI HD5870 is all that it is being hyped ,then I think ATI may have a good quarter.On paper it looks to be a fast card,plus being the first DX11 card out the gates will help.I am thinking I may go with ATI this time around if it is true that you can run games on two monitors at the same time.

[Redeemed]

If the ATI HD5870 is all that it is being hyped ,then I think ATI may have a good quarter.On paper it looks to be a fast card,plus being the first DX11 card out the gates will help.I am thinking I may go with ATI this time around if it is true that you can run games on two monitors at the same time.

+1

If the 5870 shapes up as nicely as it appears to be, I'm gettin' me one. :D