ATI announces the X1950 Pro.

Posted By: Steve McBarnes - 09:45:09 Tue, October 17, 2006

ATI has gone and done the expected today and announced the X1950 Pro via this press release. Here is "the meatiest" part of the release for those of you who do not like hunting for "the meat":

"The Radeon X1950 Pro is the first graphics card to make use of new native CrossFire™ technology, simplifying the multi-GPU experience by eliminating the need for a branded CrossFire Edition card. Using CrossFire bridge interconnect cables that attach directly to the cards, installation is easy and gamers get a clean, elegant look. Native CrossFire technology also delivers the same high-performance multi-GPU gaming experience CrossFire is known for, enabling high resolutions and refresh rates. The new CrossFire technology works on the same broad range of Intel and AMD platforms that cable CrossFire technology supports, including AMD socket 939 and AM2 motherboards, and Intel® 975X and P965 motherboards."

The card is supposed to be available today so we will be gathering all the card details and reviews for the database.

Check out our list of specs, retail cards, and reviews here.

12 Comments

Tuesday, October 17, 2006 11:26:19 AM

Mike
GPUReview Founder

I'm so happy to see ATi get a mid range card right for once. It's a shame it's showing up so late with dx10 cards right around the corner...but as soon as these hit retail, they'll be the best card available for around $200.

Tuesday, October 17, 2006 12:39:06 PM

david
guest

Ditto Mike! This can outperform a 7900gs but it lose's to a 7900gt. And do you think that the x1950xt will also have this ability to crossfire like the x1950pro without a mastercard, Or do i have to buy the 1950xtx in order to do crossfire, Or will the x1950xt have it's own crossfire mastercard?

Saturday, October 21, 2006 10:11:00 PM

@ Dave: The X1950XT runs on the same core that the X1950XTX. Why is that? "Because they are the same card". So assumingly the X1950XT requires the same CrossFire configuration as the X1950XTX, wich includes a master card.
I think this will beat a 7900 GT, since its 80nm and can overclock almost to the stock performance of an X1900XT, with a good air-cooler.

Sunday, October 22, 2006 9:57:38 PM

david
guest

No it cant the x800xt can match the 7900gt and own the x1900gt but the x1950pro is just the x1900gt with faster mem clocks so logically it should be eaten by the 7900gt.

Monday, October 23, 2006 2:13:38 AM

Mike
GPUReview Founder

@david The memory really helps, this card is consistently faster than a 7900 gt. That's why the 7950 gt was released. Also note that this thing doesn't overclock well at all despite having an 80nm core.

Monday, October 23, 2006 8:37:00 AM

david
guest

How important? I thought memory was just for resolution.

Wednesday, October 25, 2006 10:28:51 AM

@ Mike: Dosen't overclock?? Really, but why?
What other than the process size should matter in overclocking?

Wednesday, October 25, 2006 1:13:47 PM

Mike
GPUReview Founder

@david, I'm guessing on the memory, that's the one main thing this card has over the GT, and it's definitely faster than a GT.

Wednesday, October 25, 2006 1:14:24 PM

Mike
GPUReview Founder

@Track, Size is only a rough indicator. It seems this 80nm process has been mostly geared to lower power usage, not raise clock speeds.

Wednesday, October 25, 2006 8:28:57 PM

David
guest

Thank you Mike. Usually when i buy a gpu i just look to your site for a reference with pixel and texture processes not the mem speed.

Friday, October 27, 2006 9:47:10 AM

It makes me so happy knowing that this site is helping ppl, like david who now know abt GPUs more than anyone.
@Mike: GPUs are confusing. Why cant theoretical specs determain EXACTLY the performance? Thats all i ask!

Friday, October 27, 2006 12:07:28 PM

David
guest

Thank you track i do know a bit not much but enough for bestbuy and compusa to rip me off with the fx5200. But Mike is still the master of all Gpu's!

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