NVIDIA G80 To Use GDDR4 Memories

GDDR4 will start working at the similar speeds of top GDDR3 chip but it will use less watts and will be easier and cheaper to produce. This memory should start around 800MHz efficiently 1600 MHz if not even higher. However GDDR4 will be different from GDDR3 as it requires some memory controller modifications so older cards should not be able to support it. The first chip that will be using this memory is Shader Model 4.0 NVIDIA chip known as G80.

Source: The Inquirer

Apple To Ship Intel-based Mac by June 2006

Apple Computer is on track to ship Intel-based computers as targeted by June 2006. Apple said June 6 that it was severing its long-standing relationship with IBM and switching to microprocessors made by Intel, aiming to have all its Macintosh computers using Intel chips by the end of 2007. Microprocessors are the number-crunching nerve centers of personal computers. Apple's decision was a high-profile win for Intel, the world's largest chipmaker and a blow to IBM.

Source: ZDNet

Radeon X1800XL/XT Cards Exposed!

Hexus has some pictures on the X1800 XL and X1800 XT cards during the Avivo launch. Apparently, the cooling solutions for both cards are different where X1800 XL takes up a single slot and X1800 XT has the X850XT PE dual slot cooling design, the same card we saw during Computex Taipei in June. From the CATALYST Control Centre screenshot, it shows a 512MB X1800 card where the latest re-taped GPU is on its 2nd silicon and 3rd metal spin. We call it A1023 revision.

Source: Hexus

TSMC In Volume Production Of R520

ATI Technologies, Inc. and TSMC have announced that TSMC is in volume production of multiple 90 nanometer (nm) products for ATI, including the Radeon® X1800, Radeon® X1600 and Radeon® X1300 series chips, and has shipped large quantities of production wafers to ATI.

"The ATI products produced with TSMC's 90nm process show a tremendous clock speed improvement and power reduction versus earlier generation technologies," said Jason Chen, Vice President of Corporate Development for TSMC. "As a result, TSMC is currently processing thousands of 300mm wafers for ATI, with many more already delivered. At this aggressive pace, ATI has already become one of our major 90nm customers."

"TSMC has done an excellent job of delivering on yields and speeds," said Rick Bergman, Senior Vice President of ATI's PC Business Unit. "As ever, they've proven themselves an excellent manufacturing partner as we ramp up some of the most advanced technology consumers have ever seen."

TSMC's state-of-the-art 90nm technology frees ATI from the limitations of less-advanced processes and enables a whole new level of performance and functionality for PC graphics. For example, the new ATI products have clock speeds around 50 per cent higher than products manufactured on older processes.

ATI expects the latest cards to begin arriving on store shelves by the end of September.

Source: ATi

Sapphire X800GTO Ultimate & Fireblade Editions

Developed to take advantage of its unique safe overclocking tool, TRIXX, Sapphire Technology Limited, the leading supplier of ATI-powered graphics accelerators, has just launched several exciting new models of graphics accelerator in the Sapphire RADEON X800 family.

Sapphire’s RADEON X800GTO series will deliver new levels of performance to PCI Express graphics users. Based on the highly successful X800 architectures, the new models all feature a 256-bit memory interface and 12 pixel pipelines, but by offering a choice of memory size, GPU cooler and clock speed options Sapphire delivers the best performance in this class.

Silently cooled by an amazing new heatpipe system, the Sapphire RADEON X800GTO ULTIMATE 256MB is equipped with GDDR3 memory and has a standard core clock speed of 400MHz and memory speed of 490MHz (980MHz effective). Using the bundled Sapphire TRIXX overclocking tool these speeds can be raised to 520 / 500MHz or better, depending on system conditions.

For the performance enthusiast the Sapphire RADEON X800GTO Fireblade Edition uses a conventional dual slot fan cooler venting outside the case. Fitted with 256MB of 1.6ns 256-bit GDDR3 memory the standard clock speeds are again 400MHz core and 490MHz memory (980MHz effective). On this model the bundled Sapphire TRIXX overclocking tool can raise these speeds to 550 / 540MHz or better, depending on system conditions.

The Sapphire RADEON X800GTO 128MB uses 256-bit DDR1 BGA memory; and has standard core speed of 400MHz and memory speed of 350MHz DDR (700MHz effective). Also designed for overclocking, this model is expected to deliver 520 / 380MHz at a very competitive price.

Sapphire’s line of RADEON X800GTO graphics accelerators fully supports Microsoft DirectX 9 and incorporates ATI’s SmartShader™ and SmoothVision™ technologies for the better enjoyment of top gaming titles, digital photography, video editing and web surfing.

Hydravision™ (Dual monitor operation) is supported on all versions, and the provision of both VGA and Video-Out connectors allows simple connection to CRTs, TFTs and TVs. Accessories provided include: S-Video cable, Composite Cable, DVI to VGA adapter and 7-pin S-Video to HDTV.

Retail versions of these new Sapphire graphics accelerators will ship with Sapphire Select, the exciting new way to deliver a choice of games to the end user. Each card is bundled with a DVD containing a selection of top applications and games from several leading software houses. The end customer can play each of the games for a one hour trial before choosing which titles he or she wants to keep and using the activation codes for those titles.
Sapphire Radeon X800GTO Specifications:

Chipset Engine Clock Memory Clock Memory Interface Memory Support Bus Interface Variable Display Outputs Max 3D resolution Hardware Features

RADEON X800 GTO 400MHz 350MHz (128MB version), 490MHz (256MB version) 256-bit 128 / 256 MB PCI Express VGA + TV out + DVI 2048 x 1536 @ 85Hz (VGA), 1024 x 768 (TV out) DirectX® 9 SmartShaderTM 2.0 SmoothVisionTM 2.1 FullstreamTM HydravisionTM

ATi Radeon X800 GTO Launched

ATI Technologies Inc. is pleased to announce the introduction of its Radeon ® X800 GTO premium graphics card, the newest member of the Radeon family of products that is designed to give gamers the ultimate combination of graphics performance, gaming power and value.

"ATI's new Radeon X800 GTO will let you get into the game and lose yourself in a truly immersive gaming experience with any of today's top titles," said Rich Heye, Vice President and General Manager, Desktop Business Unit. "With the X800 GTO's advanced technology, ATI once again brings gamers great performance, realism and value." ATI's Radeon X800 GTO combines a powerful 12-pipe 3D engine with 256-bit memory interface and a memory data rate of up to 1GHz for outstanding performance across the entire range of exciting new game titles on the market today. The Radeon X800 GTO's advanced 3D architecture also features SmartShader(TM) graphics technology for the most-advanced pixel shader engine available anywhere.

The new Radeon X800 GTO delivers a fantastic gaming experience through cutting-edge technologies and capabilities that include:

- Massively parallel 3D gaming engine;

- 256-bit GDDR3 memory interface for lightning fast memory speeds;

-SmartShader and SmoothVision(TM) graphics technologies for exceptional gaming realism;3Dc compression technology to bring out fine details with minimum memory usage;

- Videoshader(TM) with programmable video performance;

-HyperZ(TM) for lossless Z-Buffer compression that reduces memory bandwidth by up to 25%.

As part of ATI's Radeon X800 series, the X800 GTO also delivers premium graphics performance for video playback and digital photography, and is the perfect compliment to Microsoft Windows® XP Media Center Edition with full-featured media support for analog and digital displays.

The Radeon X800 GTO begins shipping immediately and will be available from ATI and its partners including:

- Abit Computer Corp.

- Asustek Computer Inc.

- Connect Components Ltd.

- Diamond Multimedia

- Giga-Byte Technologies Co. Ltd.

- Hightech Information Systems Ltd.

- Info-Tek Corp.

- Micro-Star International Co. Ltd.

- Palit Systems Inc.

- Sapphire Technologies Ltd.

- Tul Corp.

- Visiontek

Source: ATi

Some tips on how to conserve energy..

Here it is:
Computer power management —A typical computer monitor uses 60 to 120 watts of electrical power, depending upon screen size.

• Do not use screensavers as energy savers as they continue to use the monitor at full power and do not conserve energy.
• Configure your monitor to turn off after 20 minutes of inactivity, your hard drive to turn off after 30 minutes of inactivity, and your desktop computer or laptop to go into a standby or sleep mode after 90 minutes of inactivity. (If your computer does not have a standby or sleep mode, or you can’t find it, simply turn off your monitor when it is not in use)
• Shut down your computer, monitor, and personal printer or place them in a standby mode when you leave the office for more than two hours.

Turn off your Lights- A common myth about lighting systems is that it is more expensive to turn lights on and off, so it’s better to just leave lights on all the time. Not true!

• Incandescent lamps are so inefficient; it always pays to turn them off when they’re not needed, even for very short periods of time.
• For fluorescent lamps, the breakeven point is about five minutes. In other words, if fluorescent lights will be off for five minutes or longer, it’s more cost effective to turn them off than to leave them on.
• Replacing a 100-watt incandescent with a 32-watt CFL saves at least $30 in energy costs over the life of the bulb.
• Minimize or eliminate the use of electric fans and other personal electrical equipment and appliances where possible.
• A 20-inch box fan on medium speed for a 4-moth period 10 hours per day would cost $12 to operate. That $12 doesn’t sound like much, but if everyone were to add a personal fan as the temperature rise, the costs certainly begin to add up.
  

Temperature controls during A/C season

• Keep windows and doors closed when Air Con are operating — If you must open windows for ventilation, close them before leaving room.
• In warm weather, close blinds to reduce cooling load.
• Turn off A/C units when room is not in use.
• Don’t place lamps, TV sets or computers near any thermostat. The thermostat senses heat from these appliances, which can cause the air conditioner to run longer than necessary.
  

Intel Celeron D Takes New G-1 Stepping

Desktop Intel® Celeron® processors in FC-LGA4 (socket-LGA775) package on 90 nm process will undergo the following changes to the G-1 core processor stepping:

• The CPU ID will change from 0XF41 to 0XF49 (Updated Bios required)
• No impact anticipated to existing platforms 845, 865 and 852 & 9xx family
• New S-Specs for affected product line items• No change to Electrical and Mechanical Specification
• Desktop G-1 Step processors will be Pb-Free Second Level Interconnect (SLI) / RoHS compliant and the integrated heat spreader (IHS) will be marked per JESD97 guidelines with e4 designation• Addition of 2 new EM64T instructions LAHF/SAHF
• G-1 is pin compatible with E-0. The thermal/mechanical specification is within overall package height specification
• Intel anticipates no impact to current platforms designed to Intel guidelines
• Additional resistor added to the package

Source:Intel

ATi R520 Pricing Info

Anandtech has some nice tibits on the R520, RV530 and RV515. Common features to all R520 based boards include the new 90nm lead free manufacturing process, a Xilleon based TV encoder, SM3.0, H.264 decode acceleration and CrossFire support.

Source: Anandtech

The ever changing landscape....

What is it? Of course, its the technological landscape! The technological landscape is one that is ever changing....what you buy now could be seen as a relic next year....Especially now.

For example take the graphics card industry. The next generation ATi graphics flagship, the X1800 XT based on the R520 core will make its appearance in the months ahead, followed no doubt by the lower end parts (dubbed the X1600 and X1300). Once these cards have settled into the market, ATI is likely to phase out the older cards, meaning that if everything goes according to plan, none of us won't be seeing any more new Radeon X800 cards by the beginning of next year.

This is only the tip of the iceberg. With the release of new dual-core processors by both AMD and INTEL, single, 32-bit core processors will soon be labled as out-of-date. Nvidia has released their GeForce 7800GTX. With new versions of the GeForce 7 series coming beig launched next year, the pacs of technology has indeed picken up.

However, the relentless pace of technology means that the technological landscape is never constant. You can play the waiting game but there are always better things in the pipeline. Hence, it is only prudent to purchase what you need, when you need it.

GeForce 7800 Standard Info

NVIDIA plans to introduce GeForce 7800 Standard using the G70 core which makes it the third line-up for the 7800 series. It will have 16 pixel pipelines and 6 vertex shader. The core clock is at 375MHz and the memory is at 1Ghz. GeForce 7800 will be replacing GeForce 6800GT and Ultra but NVIDIA is not in the hurry to launch 7800 Standard but will wait for ATi R520 to be launched first. Card makers revealed that the 90nm G71 has higher than 50% yield which is looking good.

Source: HKEPC

"SuperFetch" To Accelerate Boot Time In Vista

Microsoft previewed a new feature in Windows that can significantly increase the speed applications are loaded and extend the virtual memory of a computer system by accessing secondary and peripheral storage devices such as USB Flash memory sticks. Microsoft calls this feature "SuperFetch." Library system codes of most used applications are pre-loaded during the normal start of the OS. This approach will cut down application boot times by about 80 percent. The feature will run in the background and make use of multithreading capability. Vista will be able to use the storage space of peripheral storage devices such as Flash memory sticks to expand its virtual memory space. Users who are connecting a 512 MByte or 1 GByte stick to their system will see an immediate bump in virtual memory space. SuperFetch will be available in the final version of Windows Vista.

Source: THG

ATi R520 Core Revisions

ATi has decided to go with 16pp R520 with their latest re-taped revision called A1023 so the launch of R520 on Oct 4th has only 16 pipelines for their top lineup X1800XT. We expect ATi to replace R520 quickly with R580 in early next year to better compete with NVIDIA's lineup. The R520 Rev 2 card gotten by us is a golden sample in its early stage originally planned for 24/32pp but very poor yield push ATi to release 16pp R520 instead. Now this card is into Rev 5 and it could be meant for R580 instead. We also know that latest X1800XL core is known as AE revision.
Source: VR-Zone

ATi To Volume Ship RV515 & RV530

ATI is likely to follow suit to ship product generation in volume on the day of announcement like NVIDIA. According to THG, there will be plenty of entry-level and mainstream R5xx cards available in stores at launch. The flagship will follow within a few weeks. Most versions of the upcoming R520 chips are likely to be available in "high" volume at launch.

Volume availability appears to mainly refer to the RV515 and RV530 graphics processors, which will cover the entry-level and the mid-range segment of the new product generation. Users waiting for the flagship R520 will have to wait "three to four weeks" after launch. However, production yields apparently are much better than ATI originally had expected which should enable a quick ramp of the chip.

Source: THG

ATi X1800 (R520) Series Info

Radeon X1800 (R520) Series

▪ X1800 XT Crossfire Edition : 24 pipelines, 10vs, 650MHz core, 1400MHz memory, Composition Engine

▪ X1800 XT : 24 pipelines, 10vs, 650MHz core, 1400MHz memory

▪ X1800 Pro : 16 pipelines, 550MHz core, 1250MHz memory

▪ X1800 XL : 16 pipelines, 500MHz core, 1000MHz memory

▪ X1800 LE : 12 pipelines, 450MHz core, 900MHz memory

Source:VR-Zone

ATi R520 Slated For Oct 5th Launch

Many AIB partners have received the ATi Radeon X1800XL (R520XL) card samples last Friday and the die size seems to be larger than the R520 sample we received previously. The die size is enlarged from 18.2cm x 19cm to 19.3cm x 19cm so ATi has re-taped the core and added some features unknown to us at this point of time. ATi will be unveiling R520 officially on October 5th but they do not expect mass production of the cards till end of Oct. So far they've heard only 1K of such cards produced for customers qualifications and reviews. Yield rate for 16ps and 24ps R520 is under 25%.

Source: HKEPC

After coming back from camp.......

....i was wayyy bored.....so i decided to do a bit of overclocking........


........wondered how i did?


....wellll.....


.....i did reach a nice limit with the XP 90 on my cpu.....


....wanna know the results?


......check THIS out!!!