DH Review: ATi Radeon X700XT

***Veridian3*** · Sep 21, 2004, 05:50 AM

Allan has had a very thorough and complete look at ATI's latest card, the Radeon X700XT. You can read the full review by clicking the link below, its an interesting read on what seems to be a very good bit of kit...

"The graphics sector is undoubtedly one of the most hotly contested areas of computer hardware with the two giants Nvidia and ATI seemingly alone in the battle for market domination. Its been another good year so far from ATI with the X800XT PE being arguably the fastest card available to the consumer, with Nvidia's 6800 Ultra right on its heels. So here we have the new X700XT from ATI, an eight pixel pipe card aimed at the lucrative mid range sector. This card is being marketed by ATI as a more powerful "replacement" for the 9800XT, their successful high end board of last year."

Full Review

Dom · Sep 21, 2004, 06:01 AM

I'm unclear, will there be an AGP version?

***Zardon*** · Sep 21, 2004, 06:24 AM

i havent heard to this point, ill find out.

Lchevy79 · Sep 21, 2004, 06:54 AM

very nice read . is the card the same size as the 9800? and if so would a aftermarket coolind solution work on it?

***Zardon*** · Sep 21, 2004, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dom

I'm unclear, will there be an AGP version?

ATIs response:

"we currently have no plans for an AGP version of X700. Right now AGP users still have access to RADEON 9800 series of products, which would be very close to the X700 series performance wise, so product differentiation would be very difficult and having both products available at the same time might confuse some users.

If we see the demand for X700 in the AGP space we would use a bridge to have the PCI express chip running on an AGP board."

***Zardon*** · Sep 21, 2004, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lchevy79

very nice read . is the card the same size as the 9800? and if so would a aftermarket coolind solution work on it?

No its smaller (I did include some pictures alongside an X800XT in the article), im sure 3rd party cooling products will be developed specifically for it (with limited time and the card to go to another journalist I didnt remove the cooler). All I had in my possession was an engineering sample with a cooler that wont be making it to the consumer market on the X700XT.

Dom · Sep 21, 2004, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zardon

ATIs response:

"we currently have no plans for an AGP version of X700. Right now AGP users still have access to RADEON 9800 series of products, which would be very close to the X700 series performance wise, so product differentiation would be very difficult and having both products available at the same time might confuse some users.

If we see the demand for X700 in the AGP space we would use a bridge to have the PCI express chip running on an AGP board."

That sucks. I want an X700 but I don't have PCIe.

No_Style · Sep 21, 2004, 10:36 AM

So it performs like a 9800XT (or a fine tuned one). Sweet deal. I understand ATI's decision not to release the X700 series on AGP since there is very little need for it. Besides, this lack of AGP will force people to upgrade or save up for an upgrade onto PCIe. Good review, although I would have liked to have seen a direct comparison with the 9800XT.

***Zardon*** · Sep 21, 2004, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by No_Style

Good review, although I would have liked to have seen a direct comparison with the 9800XT.

The unfortunate position sometimes you are faced with is, you get a card, have two days to test it after work then the card is moved on the next person so testing can be limited. I also right now dont have a comparible AGP system to get accurate results from AGP to PCIe. When the initial "rush" settles with massively limited samples ill have another time to do further testing

Dom · Sep 21, 2004, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by No_Style

So it performs like a 9800XT (or a fine tuned one). Sweet deal. I understand ATI's decision not to release the X700 series on AGP since there is very little need for it. Besides, this lack of AGP will force people to upgrade or save up for an upgrade onto PCIe. Good review, although I would have liked to have seen a direct comparison with the 9800XT.

But the 9800XTs are much more than the X700XTs.

***Zardon*** · Sep 21, 2004, 11:19 AM

It also has support for the new technologies such as 3DC etc etc........

Dom · Sep 21, 2004, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zardon

It also has support for the new technologies such as 3DC etc etc........

Yes, that's why I can't understand ATi's logic in saying that people whom want an AGP version of the X700 should look to the 9800 series...

Shinjikun · Sep 21, 2004, 01:48 PM

It's disappointing to see there will be no AGP version initially but if the 9800 series is comparable then it's understandable. If I can't afford an X800 XT PE by the end of the year I'll be going for a 9800 Pro or XT.

No_Style · Sep 21, 2004, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dom

But the 9800XTs are much more than the X700XTs.

Oh yeah. For sure, but for those who modded their 9800 PROs to XTs.. they're not too too far behind

Time contraints gotta suck though.. They did what they could, and it was great job.

Shadow Lady · Sep 21, 2004, 05:18 PM

I want AGP x700 cards !!!!

lol, well just only one, it looks exactly what i want after my old 9500pro gave up =D

hope they launch agp version of it =/

come on ati, x700 is middle range card !!!

middle range users dont all have pci express

kelticknight · Sep 21, 2004, 06:14 PM

have 9800xt at moment,will change before end of year and get x800xt in agp and will be my last g-card till l change motherboard in year or so .not going to change eveything to get pci-e g-card

Razgriz · Sep 21, 2004, 06:16 PM

point me towards the cheapest amd pci-e mobo

Vampyromaniac · Sep 21, 2004, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shadow Lady

I want AGP x700 cards !!!!

lol, well just only one, it looks exactly what i want after my old 9500pro gave up =D

hope they launch agp version of it =/

come on ati, x700 is middle range card !!!

middle range users dont all have pci express

you might see an AGP version from some of ATI's card-making partners. They like to fill in gaps in the "official" ATI line. ^^

RIV@NVX · Sep 22, 2004, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dom

Yes, that's why I can't understand ATi's logic in saying that people whom want an AGP version of the X700 should look to the 9800 series...

When I heard that X700 will compete with NVIDIA's 6600, I hoped to go for it instead, but since there is no AGP version in plan, I think NVIDIA is better option ATM (they have AGP version planned, even it's not out yet).
Speaking of 9800... it could be a good choice, if price drops at X700 level, for which I hope. If it doesn't happen, I can't understand ATI's logic either.

Or perhaps, if there is a Socket 754 motherboard with PCI-E... that would be great.

EDIT: Just a note, if anyone at ATI cares: at http://www.ati.com/products/radeonx700/specs.html there is a broken link to CATALYSTâ„¢, pointing to a nonexistant page.

Shadow Lady · Sep 22, 2004, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vampyromaniac

you might see an AGP version from some of ATI's card-making partners. They like to fill in gaps in the "official" ATI line. ^^

right, i didnt think of this, MSI i love you

sk_spooky · Sep 22, 2004, 10:39 AM

Great review as usual.

***Zardon*** · Sep 22, 2004, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RIV@NVX

EDIT: Just a note, if anyone at ATI cares: at http://www.ati.com/products/radeonx700/specs.html there is a broken link to CATALYSTâ„¢, pointing to a nonexistant page.

works fine here.

RIV@NVX · Sep 23, 2004, 05:52 AM

Did you click the link under "Additional Features"? Because, that link points me to http://www.ati.com/support/products/catalyst/index.html which says:

Quote:

Sorry, there is no ATI.com web page matching your request.

* If you typed the URL yourself, please make sure that the spelling is correct.
* If you clicked on a link to get here, there may be a problem with the link or the page may no longer exist.

As an option, you may visit any of the pages below for information about ATI services and products...

Nothing major and important, just noticed so I mentioned it.

eggs420 · Oct 21, 2004, 08:20 PM

Still. :P

Counterfe1t · Oct 22, 2004, 12:02 AM

by this time i was hoping to see a price drop on the 9800 series but theyre still too expensive for me. that and having to buy a last generation card leaves a bad taste in my mouth ATI must learn that i dont want a 9800 or an x800xt i want an x700

Sep 21, 2004, 05:50 AM	#1
*Veridian3* Administrator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Cloaked Posts: 2,999 Rep Power: 72	DH Review: ATi Radeon X700XT Allan has had a very thorough and complete look at ATI's latest card, the Radeon X700XT. You can read the full review by clicking the link below, its an interesting read on what seems to be a very good bit of kit... "The graphics sector is undoubtedly one of the most hotly contested areas of computer hardware with the two giants Nvidia and ATI seemingly alone in the battle for market domination. Its been another good year so far from ATI with the X800XT PE being arguably the fastest card available to the consumer, with Nvidia's 6800 Ultra right on its heels. So here we have the new X700XT from ATI, an eight pixel pipe card aimed at the lucrative mid range sector. This card is being marketed by ATI as a more powerful "replacement" for the 9800XT, their successful high end board of last year." Full Review

Sep 21, 2004, 06:54 AM	#4
Lchevy79 -=[DHzer0point Team]=- Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 726 Rep Power: 0	very nice read . is the card the same size as the 9800? and if so would a aftermarket coolind solution work on it? __________________ msi K7N2 delta2-AMD 2800xp@2083-1gig of pc2700ram -ati x850xt 256mb -Audigy mp3+ - 1 80gig maxtor 8mb and 1 250gig 16mb maxtor -48x24x48 buslink burner-and a lite on 4x +/- dvd burner xp home samsung lcd (19") 930b monitor

Sep 21, 2004, 10:36 AM	#8
No_Style Styleless Wonder Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Posts: 6,049 Rep Power: 0	So it performs like a 9800XT (or a fine tuned one). Sweet deal. I understand ATI's decision not to release the X700 series on AGP since there is very little need for it. Besides, this lack of AGP will force people to upgrade or save up for an upgrade onto PCIe. Good review, although I would have liked to have seen a direct comparison with the 9800XT. __________________ "The Best Style Is No Style" Specifications Here

Sep 21, 2004, 01:48 PM	#13
Shinjikun 第3 子供 Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Nerv HQ Posts: 1,322 Rep Power: 0	It's disappointing to see there will be no AGP version initially but if the 9800 series is comparable then it's understandable. If I can't afford an X800 XT PE by the end of the year I'll be going for a 9800 Pro or XT. __________________ Xfire: [Shinji1225 \ Status] A7N8X-E Deluxe Athlon XP 2500+ (@ 2.2 GHz 11x200 MHz FSB) Corsair TwinX XMS 1GB PC3200 Dual Channel (2-2-3-5) [color=red]ATi [/color][color=white]Radeon 9500 Pro (@ 330\310) \ [/color][color=white]Omega Catalyst Drivers v2.5.90[/color] [color=white]Ultra X-Connect 500W PSU[/color]

Sep 21, 2004, 05:18 PM	#15
Shadow Lady Avril Fan Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: somewhere in colombia, okok, bogotÃ¡ city :p Posts: 1,267 Rep Power: 0	I want AGP x700 cards !!!! lol, well just only one, it looks exactly what i want after my old 9500pro gave up =D hope they launch agp version of it =/ come on ati, x700 is middle range card !!! middle range users dont all have pci express __________________ Oblivion ftw

Sep 21, 2004, 06:01 AM	#2
Dom DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 12,942 Rep Power: 0	I'm unclear, will there be an AGP version?

Sep 21, 2004, 06:24 AM	#3
*Zardon* enchanted Join Date: May 2002 Location: Driverheaven Posts: 32,252 Rep Power: 3150	i havent heard to this point, ill find out.

Sep 21, 2004, 11:19 AM	#11
*Zardon* enchanted Join Date: May 2002 Location: Driverheaven Posts: 32,252 Rep Power: 3150	It also has support for the new technologies such as 3DC etc etc........

Sep 21, 2004, 06:14 PM	#16
kelticknight DriverHeaven Knight Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: EIRE{great for black stuff ,bulmers cider and Munster rubgy Posts: 1,098 Rep Power: 0	have 9800xt at moment,will change before end of year and get x800xt in agp and will be my last g-card till l change motherboard in year or so .not going to change eveything to get pci-e g-card __________________

Sep 21, 2004, 06:16 PM	#17
Razgriz Intelligence? Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: On the edge of insanity Posts: 1,184 Rep Power: 40	point me towards the cheapest amd pci-e mobo

Sep 22, 2004, 10:39 AM	#21
sk_spooky DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: May 2003 Location: Livingston, Scotland, UK Posts: 14 Rep Power: 0	Great review as usual.

Oct 21, 2004, 08:20 PM	#24
eggs420 my bud > yours Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: chicago Posts: 401 Rep Power: 0	Still. :P __________________ AMD64 2800+ // Chaintech VNF3-250 // 2X512mb PDI ddr400 2-3-2-5 // 80gb 7200RPM WD w/8mb cache // Leadtek 6800GT // 144kbit IDSL Clan -=CCC=- Admin 69.31.96.68 BF2 PUBLIC RANKED SERVER 205.218.65.236 BF2 DEMO SERVER

Oct 22, 2004, 12:02 AM	#25
Counterfe1t DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 440 Rep Power: 0	by this time i was hoping to see a price drop on the 9800 series but theyre still too expensive for me. that and having to buy a last generation card leaves a bad taste in my mouth ATI must learn that i dont want a 9800 or an x800xt i want an x700 __________________