AMD Unleashes Enthusiast Gaming Performance for the Masses with ATI Radeon HD 3800

[malware]

AMD today announced the introduction and immediate availability of the ATI Radeon HD 3800 Series of graphics processing units (GPU). As the world’s first series of graphics processors to deliver Microsoft’s DirectX 10.1 support, 55nm process technology and tri and quad multi-GPU support with ATI CrossFireX, the ATI Radeon HD 3800 series ushers in a new era of enthusiast gaming performance at mainstream price points. The ATI Radeon HD 3800 series will be introduced in two variants at launch, from US $179 MSRP, the ATI Radeon HD 3850 with 256MB of GDDR3 memory and from US $219 MSRP, the ATI Radeon HD 3870 with 512MB GDDR4 memory. The launch of the ATI Radeon HD 3800 series redefines the enthusiast segment and puts high performance gaming in reach of more users than ever before. This innovative new series of graphics products also represent the first step in the launch of AMD’s upcoming enthusiast platform codenamed “Spider.”


“With the introduction of the ATI Radeon HD 3800 series we are redefining the market for enthusiast graphics with a new class of price, performance and features that have never been seen before in this industry,” said Rick Bergman, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Graphics Product Group, AMD. “Through a flawless transition to 55nm and Microsoft DirectX 10.1, we can deliver an unprecedented level of scalable performance, image quality enhancements and power efficiency at the sub- $200 segment that rivals today’s most expensive graphics processors and opens up enthusiast gaming to more end users than ever before.”

High Definition Gaming Leadership
With the introduction of the ATI Radeon HD 3800 series AMD delivers the first graphics processor with support for Microsoft’s upcoming DirectX 10.1 specification. Designed to deliver more immersive gaming environments, increase the amount of tools for developers and enhance overall image quality, DirectX 10.1 support ensures ATI Radeon HD 3800 series users can enjoy a more complete next-generation gaming experience.

The ATI Radeon HD 3800 series also introduces the world to ATI CrossFireX, AMD’s innovative next-generation multi-GPU technology designed to deliver unprecedented performance scaling with support for two, three and four graphics processors in CrossFire configurations. At launch, the ATI Radeon HD 3800 series will support dual-GPU CrossFire with tri and quad-GPU support scheduled for January 2008.

“Alienware has a long and proven track record in staying on the forefront of graphics performance and innovation,” said Patrick Cooper, Director of Product Management at Alienware. “As a pioneer in multi-GPU technology we are excited about the launch of the ATI Radeon HD 3800 series with CrossFire technology on our Area-51 ALX platform and look forward to delivering a best-in-class PC gaming experience for our customers.”

Graphics bandwidth is also greatly enhanced with the introduction of PCI Express 2.0. Delivering over 16 gigabytes per second of bi-directional bandwidth, PCIe 2.0 doubles the bus data rate over the previous generation. The combination of PCIe 2.0 and HyperTransport3 on next-generation AMD platforms provides a dramatic increase in the amount of system bandwidth for high definition, multi-GPU PC gaming.

Performance Per-Watt Leadership
The ATI Radeon HD 3800 series GPUs are the first graphics processors to use TSMC’s 55nm process technology. The smooth transition to 55nm has allowed for a 12X increase in performance-per-watt over the previous generation with a significant reduction in die size.

“TSMC and AMD have blazed a long and successful trail of process technology innovation, delivering increased value to end users through manufacturing innovation. Our innovative half-node process, including 55nm, is the quickest and simplest way to achieve performance gain,” said Kenneth Kin, Senior Vice President of Worldwide Sales and Service, TSMC. “With the immaculate execution and launch of the 55nm ATI Radeon HD 3800 series we are demonstrating once again how the strength of our successful collaboration delivers more performance-per-watt and performance per-mm to users than they have ever seen before in a graphics processor.”

In addition to 55nm, AMD has also added its patented ATI PowerPlay technology to the ATI Radeon HD 3800 series to provide increased control over the graphics processor in multiple power states. With PowerPlay technology users can benefit from dynamic adjustment of clocks and voltages depending on their usage scenario, which allows for a cool and quiet user experience.

High Definition Video
With the launch of the ATI Radeon HD 3850 and ATI Radeon HD 3870, AMD has answered the call of HD video enthusiasts with top-to-bottom support for the 2Unified Video Decoder (UVD). The addition of UVD ensures exceptional platform efficiency and image quality in HD-DVD and Blu-ray decoding for both H.264 and VC-1 specifications. Enhanced HDMI functionality also continues on this series of products with integrated HDCP and audio for HDMI video.

The ATI Radeon HD 3800 series launches with broad availability and eco-system support from AMD’s Add-in-Board (AIB) and Systems Integrators (SI) partners. AIB partners building boards based on the ATI Radeon HD 3800 series include Asus, Club 3D, Diamond Multimedia, Gigabyte, HIS, Info-Tek, MSI, Palit, Sapphire, Tul and Visiontek. Systems integrators launching ATI Radeon HD 3800 series include ABS, Alienware, AMAX, Canada Computers, CyberPower, Extreme PC Corporation, Falcon-Northwest, iBUYPOWER, Maingear, Systemax, Ultra Gaming and Velocity Micro.

Source: AMD

[Xaser04]

Just a quick heads up,

The VR-Zone review is up and looks quite promising.

The 8800GT still wins in most scenarios (sometimes by quite a margin) however the price of the 3870 is in its favour.

THe HD2900XT actually beats the 3870 in certain scenarios as well (although the resoulutions used are high)

Power consumption is in line with the 8800GT as well.

All in all pretty good.

[Wile E]

I agree Xaser. The key here will be it's price and availability. If it undercuts the 8800GT's price, and remains stocked, I think it will be a winner for ATI.

[Xaser04]

Definately it all depends on pricing and availability.

The only issue I see with that is here in the UK the HD3870 is roughly £160 wheras you can pick up a 8800GT for as little as £170 (same website). This given the performance difference makes the 8800GT probably better value for money at the moment. (If you can find either in stock of course)

However if you can get the HD3870 for say £150 or below then you will getting great value for money. (In terms of bang for buck)

[Ripper3]

Been looking at pricing on OcUK, the're not usually the cheapest, but frankly, this is a bit of a rip-off. £110 or so for th 3850 Pro, while the US gets them for the equivalent of about £90.
Still, cheaper than the 8800GT, and they're actually available to ship, while all the 8800GTs on OcUK are pre-order atm.

[DrunkenMafia]

You preorder a 3870 512mb in Aussue for around $350aus...

That is like 150 pounds...

[UnXpectedError]

i think the performance is pretty good for the price... Nvidia is really falling short with the demand for the 8800GT and thats really going to hurt them if ATI can keep the 3800 line in stock.. this might get interesting... let the price wars begin!

[newconroer]

Maybe, maybe not.

If ATi drops the card price significantly just to compete with the GT, which Nvidia didn't need anyways for sales or customer base, then ATi is once again on Nvidia's string.

You can argue that 'mid-range' or whatever, is where the most money will be made, but, anytime ATi makes a competitive 'mid-range' card, all Nvidia has to do is lower the prices on it's upper end cards. They can keep doing this over and over and over. Until ATi puts out something that can compete with an Ultra, they're never going to catch up, and with how impressive these new 9800 Nvidia cards are supposed to be, it's looking grim for ATi.

[WhiteLotus]

Originally Posted by DrunkenMafia

You preorder a 3870 512mb in Aussue for around $350aus...

That is like 150 pounds...

wow dude i feel for you. that is extreme. i hate that companies price products so differently. surely is does not cost them that much to ship a good load of units on a massive boat to UK and Aus

[happita]

the price is $20 less than expected.

$219 for a single 3870 is sooooo tempting, all I need now is $1500 for a new system, anyone?

[WarEagleAU]

Wow, alot cheaper than I expected them to be. NEW CARD HERE I COME!!!

[Scrizz]

heck yeah, I'm getting one of these cards soon....

[corwin155]

heh and i bought a hd2600xt gddr4
oh well look forward to upgrading already lol

[burtram]

these are great performers for their price! now i know what to upgrade my comp with next, lol.