PCZILLA English Version

r800 blog is moved to PCZILLA.NET/EN

2008-05-17T01:37:00.000+08:00

In order for better conformity, now r800 blog is moved to PCZILLA.NET/EN.

Thank you for your support!

ATI now focuses on improving the RV770 drivers

2008-05-15T19:06:00.004+08:00

We learnt that ATI's Catalyst team is now working hard to improve the performance of RV770 drivers.

With current driver ATI can get, there's no obvious performance differentia between 4850 and 4870 with same clocks. So this means the current driver can not dig the potential of GDD5 out of 4870. Graphics Cards maker in Taiwan told us that the GDDR5 video ram sample of RV770 came from Qimonda with 512Mb(16Mbx32-bit) configuration and 4GHz default speed, but due to the complexity design of the 4870 PCB which is not the same as 4850 PCB, and the immature driver, now 4870 can not reach to 4GHz.

If the video ram of 4870 can not be steady at 4GHz in time, ATI may use the alternate plan to use GDDR5 video ram from Qimonda at 4.5GHz default speed, apparently the plan B will increase the cost of 4870 tremendously.

Information leaking! Radeon HD 4800 VS. GeForce GTX 200!

2008-05-15T18:44:00.000+08:00

Information leaking! Radeon HD 4800 VS. GeForce GTX 200!

We learned from HKEPC that long subsided graphics card market will break out again, NVIDIA and AMD will both introduce an entirely new generation of high-end graphics cards in June. AMD will introduce the new ATI Radeon HD 4800 family, and for the first time it will use GDDR5 video memory. NVIDIA will introduce so-called second-generation Unified Shader the GeForce GTX 200 family, to secure hegemony in high-end graphics cards market.

According to Taiwan's graphics cards maker, on June 16 AMD plans to release the new ATI Radeon HD 4800 family, the core code-named RV770, the first introduced model is ATI Radeon HD 4850, the numbers of Shader Processing Units will be 480, using GDDR3 video memory, the price is about $ 229 U.S. dollars.

June 23, AMD will release ATI Radeon HD 4870, its specifications will be the same as Radeon HD 4850, but the core clock will be further improved, and video memory will switch to the new GDDR5, its price will be at $ 349 U.S. dollars.

However, industry noted that the release of ATI Radeon HD 4870 at June 23 will be Paper Launch, the official shipping date will be slightly delayed, mainly because GDDR5 memory supply shortage. The supply of GDDR5 video memory will be key point for the situation of Radeon HD 4870 availability.

In addition, AMD also plans to introduce a new generation of dual-chip graphics cards-R700, or ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2, it’s expected to formally be shipped at the end of the third quarter to the beginning of the fourth quarter, the price is about $ 549 U.S. dollars.

Facing a new generation of AMD Radeon HD 4800s, NVIDIA dare not neglect, in the June 18, it will launch brand new GeForce GTX 200 series, high-end graphics card to secure hegemony. The code name once was G100, then was GT200, now officially known as D10U, meaning the 10th generation of the Ultra graphics chip, and the product name is also changed from GeForce 9900 family to GeForce GTX 200 family, which means the second generation of Unified Shader architecture, it will market a new market image.

It's said that, GeForce GTX 200 will be launched with two models, including the GeForce GTX 260 and GeForce GTX 280, but the price, specifications have not yet announced.

AMD will announce RV770 at June 11

2008-05-14T01:08:00.000+08:00

We learned that AMD will announce RV770 series Graphics Cards at June 11 in CHINA.

The core speed of RV770 Pro now can be reached 990MHz

2008-05-13T11:57:00.000+08:00

We learned that the core speed of RV770 Pro now can be reached 990MHz, using the ATI RV770 reference single slot cooler with 100% fan speed. We estimated the core speed of retail version won't be set at 990MHz; it may be at 860-910MHz. We hoped the core speed of RV770 will break 1GHz obstacle with air-cooling oc.

What's wrong with Ubi Software?

2008-05-10T03:44:00.003+08:00

We remember Ubi Software’s official statement about Assassin's Creed DX10.1 support like this:

- In addition to addressing reported glitches, the patch will remove support for DX10.1, since we need to rework its implementation. The performance gains seen by players who are currently playing Assassin’s Creed with a DX10.1 graphics card are in large part due to the fact that our implementation removes a render pass during post-effect which is costly.

We remember Charles Beauchemin, the tech lead for the Assassin's Creed development team, his word about Assassin's Creed DX10.1 support like this:

- With DirectX 10.1, we are able to re-use an existing buffer to render the post-effects instead of having to render it again with different attributes. However, with the implementation of the retail version, we found a problem that caused the post-effects to fail to render properly.

Now we PCZILLA conducted a test comparing the difference of pictures quality between DX9, DX10 and DX10.1 modes at the same save point in Assassin's Creed using Radeon HD 3870 and official Cat 8.4 drivers for Windows XP 32-bit and Windows Vista 32-bit. You can see DX10 provides the worst picture quality, there’s no AA on the left side of the birdcage located on the right side bookshelf, there’s no HDR lighting effect, compared with DX9 and DX10 modes.

If Ubi Software’s official statement and the conclusion from Charles Beauchemin are right, then the DX10 and DX9 modes pictures which have correct AA processing on the edge of birdcage and HDR lighting should be the rendering error pictures! It’s ridiculous, isn’t it?

Caution: The compared picture below has large size about 3MB, use the picture link to download it: http://www.pczilla.net/upload/1.gif

World First 8800 GS Pics

2007-12-28T17:32:00.000+08:00

Mydrivers.com has some world first 8800 GS Pics. This card is from YESTON, a graphic cards vender in CHINA.

Learnt from YESTON, GeForce 8800 GS have 112 stream processors, as same as GeForce 8800 GT, but the only difference between GeForce 8800 GT and GeForce 8800 GS is that GeForce 8800 GS only has 192-bit memory controller inside. GeForce 8800 GS graphics card will have 384MB or 768MB video memory. There'll be slight performance gap, compared with GeForce 8800 GT, and it will give enough pressure to AMD Radeon HD 3850.

GeForce 8800 GS 384MB graphics card will have 575MHz core speed and 1700MHz memoryspeed, GeForce 8800 GS 768MB graphics card will have 650Mz core speed and 1900MHz memory speed, the retail price are 1199 yuan($164) and 1499 yuan($205).

We will see these two graphics cards in CHINA market on this Sunday.

NV put additional new orders for the latest G92 products

2007-12-28T14:26:00.000+08:00

We are told that, as an old version of GTS's successor, the new NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS 512MB recently fallen across the shortage issues, together with already GeForce 8800 GT shortage, a new generation of NVIDIA G92 graphics chip shortage is a growing problem.

Now, in order to solve this problem, NVIDIA has to continue increasing G92 orders to TSMC, in addition to meet the GeForce 8800 GT, GTS 512MB GeForce 8800 graphics needs, additional G92 orders will also meet the need from two G92 graphics chips D8E graphic card. NVIDIA hopes to prevent chip shortages of D8E in the near future.

We ar learnt that NVIDIA may raise GPU orders for about 15 per cent in next quarter, can basically meet market’s demand. Heard from graphics card makers, NVIDIA has been discussed second and third quarters GPU orders with TSMC.

NVIDIA 8800GS Brief Test

2007-12-27T00:12:00.000+08:00

Maskmoney from itocp.com release a brief test report of NVIDIA unannounced GeForce 8800 GS Graphics Card.

Base on NVIDIA G92 architecture, GeForce 8800 GS Graphics Card embraces 96 stream processors, 48 Texture Filtering Units and 48 Texture Addressing Units,12 ROPs and 192-bit 384MB GDDR3 video memory.

We learn that GeForce 8800 GS was pre-known as GeForce 8700,and NVIDIA didn’t want it to overlap with GeForce 8800GTS product line, thereby allows sufficient time for manufacturers to assimilate inventory, but faced with the steadily aggression from RV670, NVIDIA changed strategy, GeForce 8700 will actually to be GeForce 8800GS, and only for OEM market.

But AIC manufactures of NVIDIA will introduce GeForce 8800 GS graphics cards to retail market also; GeForce 8800 GS retail price will be $149-$179.

Intel CPU+SB will challenge APU from AMD

2007-12-26T23:51:00.000+08:00

We have learned that Intel will introduce 45nm Nehalem processor in 2009. Northbridge will be integrated in Nehalem, so Nehalem + Intel Southbridge combo will which challenge APU platform from AMD. So by introducing Nehalem, Intel will reduce the living space of chipsets from NVIDIA, VIA and SiS.

The first batch of Nehalem processor family will be Lynnfield -a desktop version and Clarksfield, a mobile version, they are four core designs, Northbridge chipw will be integrated in them, and they will support DDR3 memory. Lynnfield and Clarksfield will use PCH (Platform Control Hub) to connect the Southbridge, code-named Ibexpeak. Analysts believe that this is the real eukaryotic Intel processors + Northbridge chip integration products.

However, while Intel will also introduce dual-core processor m + Northbridge chip integration products, these dual-core processors are Havendale desktop processor and Auburndale mobile processor, the two products use MCP (multi-chip Package) mode, the processor core and Northbridge chip in a package on the substrate, above, the Southbridge chip will be Ibexpeak.

Mike Houston Joined AMD

2007-12-26T17:37:00.001+08:00

We are told that, GPGPU expert Mike Houston from Stanford Graphics Lab of Stanford University has joined AMD.

Before joined AMD, Mike Houston worked in Stanford Graphics Lab, as the leader of programming language BrookGPU and distributed computing Folding @ home. Mike Houston is recognized as GPGPU expert.

We learnt that before joined AMD, Mike Houston’s work was not confined to GPGPU, for example, he was responsible for the "Sequoia" projects, targeting large enterprises, that is, programming language processing model for the processor memory grading system research and development, which can be handled by CPU, GPU and Cell.

After joining AND, Mike Houston will be responsible for the development of Instruction Set Architecture of APU. Mike Houston’s join will greatly enhanced AMD’s power in Fusion project, although it’s not easy for the Sequoia project transplant to AMD Fusion processor which is not easy.

AMD’s rival NVIDIA, has got Ian Buck from the Stanford Graphics Lab, who now works as software manager in NVIDIA CUDA Department.

AMD Will Show R700 on Cebit08

2007-12-26T16:35:00.000+08:00

We are told that, when ATI was acquired by AMD in the last year, it had completed R700 graphics chip design, and produced R700 samples, but after the acquisition of ATI, the R700 may has been experienced redesigned.

Now, we have the latest news, R700 graphics chip will use TSMC 55nm process production, as same as RV670 and R680. AMD and ATI will begin testing production of R700 in February 2008 , AMD will bring forth R700 card sample at CeBIT08 next march which will be hold in Hanoverian, Germany.

In addition, we have been told, NVIDIA, will announce next flagship product-D8E next month, D8E graphics chips continue to use TSMC's 65nm process. At the same time, NVIDIA’s D9P will be in volume production using TSMC 65 nm production process next month.

We learnt that the R680, R700, D9P will support Microsoft DirectX 10.1 graphics technology, which will be integrated in Windows Vista SP1 announced at next February. These DX10.1 GPUs will stimulate the DX10.1 graphics cards adoptions from Dell, Hewlett-Packard and other PC makers. AMD/ATI and NVIDIA will both see 20% growth of their GPUs in the first half year of 2008.

Catalyst 7.12 is a special driver only for World In Conflict

2007-12-25T22:47:00.001+08:00

Expreview.com has done a Catalyst 7.12 brief test. They used Catalyst 7.11 to compared with Catalyst 7.12. They found out that Catalyst 7.12 was only dramatically improve the performance of World In Conflict V1.0.0.3b.

At 1280x1024 noAA noAF , the Catalyst 7.12’s performance led the Catalyst 7.11 by 55.6%, at 1600x1200 noAA noAF, the Catalyst 7.12’s performance led the Catalyst 7.11 by 60%.

Catalyst 7.12 is a special driver only for World In Conflict

2007-12-25T22:47:00.000+08:00

At 1280x1024 noAA noAF , the Catalyst 7.12’s performance led the Catalyst 7.11 by 55.6%, at 1600x1200 noAA noAF, the Catalyst 7.12’s performance led the Catalyst 7.11 by 60%.

[img]http://www.expreview.com/img/news/071225/3dmark05.png[/img]

3DMARK Vantage Brief Test

2007-12-24T23:50:00.000+08:00

nApoleon from The hardware website CHIPHELL has done a brief 3DMARK Vantage test. The test uses Build 23 version and Radeon HD 3850 512MB Crossfire. From pictures below, we can see that 3 DMARK Vantage Build 23 full installations require 665.25 MB disk space. Now 3 DMARK Vantage Build 23 includes Game Test1 Test, the name is Jane Nash, Game Test 2, the name is New Calico, and CPU Test1, the name is AI, and CPU Test2, the name is Physics, these two test CPU’s AI and physics acceleration performance.

From the fps and the quality shown in the pictures , we can say 3 DMARK Vantage is still in the beta stage, screen quality is not perfect, the picture is rather vague, at the same time, under the 1280 x1024 resolution, Radeon HD 3850 512MB Crossfire didn’t run very well.

Heard from other testers, that GeForce 8800GTX cannot run Game Test 2, compared with the fact that Radeon HD 3850 512MB Crossfire can run Game Test 2, it suggests that Game Test 2 -New Calico tests the DX10.1 capability of graphics cards. What a pitty for NVIDIA, when 3 DMARK Vantage comes out at next February, NVIDIA can only get GeForce 9600 GT out for 3 DMARK Vantage if D9E cannot support DX10.1.

Unsymmetrical Physics Acceleration Mode of Radeon HD 2000

2007-05-10T03:13:00.000+08:00

Though the AMD ATI enounce Radeon HD 2900 series VPU has already integrated strong physics acceleration ability, but it seems AMD ATI want to endow Radeon HD 2000 series VPUs with stronger physics acceleration ability, so they put forward unsymmetrical physics acceleration mode, composed of a Radeon HD 2000 graphic card and a Radeon X1900 graphic card, among them the Radeon HD 2000 graphic card is responsible for 3D rendering, the Radeon X1900 graphic card is responsible for physical acceleration.

The unsymmetrical physics acceleration mode can make up the relative weak physics acceleration ability of Radeon HD 2600/2400 series, it also can let Radeon HD 2900 graphic card be free from physics acceleration, and concentrate on 3D rendering tasks. The unsymmetrical physics acceleration mode has already been supported by catalyst driver.

However, if there will be a DX9 game supports ATI physics acceleration in the future, another mode in which X1900 is responsible for 3D rendering, HD 2600/2400 is responsible for physical acceleration is also a quite good choice. But AMD ATI possibly don’t support this kind of mode right now and in the near future.

A New Screenshoot of DirectX 10 Ruby Demo

2007-05-08T22:07:00.000+08:00

A New Screenshoot of DirectX 10 Ruby demo with 1680x1050 resolution. Enjoy it.

SCDA PIC Compared :R600 VS. G80 VS. R580

2007-05-08T16:28:00.000+08:00

some guys fighting in SCDA using Radeon X2900XT, Radeon X1900GT, Radeon X1950XT and Geforce 8800 GTX . They all use same save file of SCDA to make sure pics are taken in same place.

1/2900XT (1280x960, default clock, 4xAA, 16xAF, all MAX, drv: 8.361)

2/X1900GT(1280x960, 550/1440MHz, 4xAA, 16xAF, All MAX, drv: catalyst 7.2)

3/X1950XT(1280x960, unknown clock, 4xAA, 16xAF, All MAX, drv: unknown)

4/GeForce 8800 GTX( 1280x960, unknown clock, 4xAA, 16xAF, All MAX, drv: unknown)

you can see from these four pics, R600 and G80 don't have light reflection on the rear surface of the helicopter. Cause both drvs auto set ShadowTurnOffDegree=2 in SplinterCell4.ini for R600 and G80 when they are in MAX detaill, drvs auto set ShadowTurnOffDegree=0 in SplinterCell4.ini for two R580 cards when they are in MAX detail. We still unknow the reason.

But we can compared the pic quality btw X1900GT and 8800GTX:

Thanks for the comparison tests done by yuen, frankexam and oneping.

3DMARK06: 8800Ultra VS. 2900XT

2007-05-08T16:17:00.000+08:00

Denny in Cooler Forum and kinc bring us the 3DMark 06 fight between GeForce 8800 Ultra (default:612/2160MHz) and Radeon HD 2900XT ( oced: 885/2000MHz). It seems Radeon HD 2900XT ( oced: 885/2000MHz) can beat GeForce 8800 Ultra with default clock in 3DMark 06.

R600 Ruby DirectX 10 demo HD pics

2007-05-08T14:08:00.000+08:00

We know the AMD ATI will soon release the new generation DirectX 10 Radeon X2000 series graphic cards next Monday, including the Radeon X2900 serieses of aiming at the high graphic cards market, the Radeon X2600 series aiming at the mainstream graphic cards market, the Radeon X2400 series aiming at the entry level graphic cards market.

CHIPHELL forum today brings us 2 HD pics of R600 DirectXs 10 demo which is using Battle Field 3 Engine from DICE. Among them the first pic does manifestation Ruby and airplanes pilot among the cockpit of field view.The 2nd pic is the super detailed manifestation of new Ruby face, compared with the DirectX 9 Ruby demo, you can see much more delicate, the partial detail of Ruby's face.

Virtual Skipper 5: 32nd America's Cup Playing and Pics

2007-04-29T05:17:00.000+08:00

Virtual Skipper 5: 32nd America's Cup Testing, I think it's a ocean verion of Test Driver Unlimited. Virtual Skipper 5: 32nd America's Cup is protected by Starforce4.

Playing Spider Man 3 PC Game

2007-04-28T18:53:00.000+08:00

It has fairly good indoor scene, but once you come out to outdoor, you will be disppointed. The fps is restricted to 30fps. My test platform is Athlon 64 3000+ (280x9) , nforce4, 1.5GB DDR400, x1900GT(default clock).

Radeon HD 2900XT Official Tests Result

2007-04-28T15:05:00.000+08:00

Ocfantasy brings the AMD ATI officiall test slide of Radeon HD 2900XT and Crossfire. Please pay attention to the dx10 test of Call Of Jauze with a dx10 patch.

Radeon HD 2900XT Slide

2007-04-27T23:49:00.000+08:00

Today hardware forum CHIPHELL bring us a Radeon HD 2900XT slide. Please pay attention to the number of texture units. It's certainly 16 units. But I don't think texture units will play a vip role in latest pc games, such as Rainbow Six: Vegas and so on. Anyway R600 use a damn good 4:1 architecture compared with 3:1 in R580 series.

Three Gorgeous Pics of Radeon HD 2900XT

2007-04-27T06:52:00.000+08:00

Hardware forum CHIPHELL brought three gorgeous pics of Radeon HD 2900XT which will be announced at 5/2 according to VR-ZONE.

CAPCOM DX10 Title: Lost Planet Tries Out

2007-04-26T02:20:00.000+08:00

The editors in pcgames.de have a chance to try out the dx10 title “Lost Planet” with 2 demo levels.

The try out run on Windows Vista with DirectX 10 API, Athlon 64 5000+, 2GB ram. Because there’s no ATI DX10 graphic card, they used a GeForce 8800GTX graphic card for the try out. Lost Planet demo runs on 1280x1024 resolutions with 4xFSAA. Despite of some furious fighting scenes, they estimated the average speed is at 25fps.

CAPCOM will release DX9 and DX10 demo of Lost Planet in May. The retail version of Lost Planet will show up at June, or maybe delayed to July due to the difficulty of dev DX10 version of Lost Planet.

Click to see more pics in CHIPHELL Forum.

Sapphire Radeon HD 2900XT on sale now

2007-04-25T23:25:00.000+08:00

from fudzilla, Sapphire Radeon HD 2900XT on sale now, but through pre-order. You can pre-order it with €380. But I'm sure AMD and ATI will take care of this pre-order by cancellation.

GeForce 8800 Ultra will smash Radeon HD 2900XTX?

2007-04-25T22:53:00.000+08:00

from fudzilla by "mouth": GeForce 8800 Ultra get 14000 scores in 3DMARK06 with no detail of test platform and no driver detail.

from dailytech by "hand": Radeon HD 2900XT get 14005 scores in 3DMARK06 with full detail of test platform and driver detiail.

Can GeForce 8800 Ultra smash Radoen HD 2900XTX?

HD 2900XT 3DMark06 14005 scores!

2007-04-25T05:39:00.000+08:00

Anandtech test guys have tested the oc capability of AMDATI's Radeon HD 2900XT. The result is very promising. See more detail.

Congratulation! AMD ATI and all perseverance ATI fans in CHIPHELL and around the globe.

Radeon 2900XTX HD arriving Anandtech for testing

2007-04-25T03:37:00.000+08:00

Kristopher Kubick, the editor in chief of Dailytech belonging to Anandtech disclosed that the flagship of AMD ATI’s new generation DirectX 10 Graphics products -Radoen HD 2900 XTX would arrive Anandtech test center for evaluating in two hours. Anandtech has received Radeon HD 2900XT for evaluating days ago.

In addition, according to anonymous source, AMD ATI R600 Series evaluation NDA will be lift on May 14, Dailytech also said that AMD ATI would announce Radoen HD 2900 XTX first, then and only then can the Radeon HD 2900XT HD, HD 2600 and HD 2400 series come out. It seems that the rumor cooked up from gdphk of Radoen HD 2900 XTX being postponed to the third quarter collapse.

-－Dailytech：AMD plans to launch a completely new DirectX 10 lineup with the flagship ATI Radeon HD 2900 XTX. Other models such as the Radeon HD 2900 XT, Radeon HD 2600-series and Radeon HD 2400-series will also join AMD’s DirectX 10 family after the initial high-end launches.

Radeon HD 2600XT Runs at 800/2200MHz

2007-04-23T15:48:00.000+08:00

AMD ATI will show Radeon HD 2000 series graphic cards at Tunis today. But now it's said that the mainstream DX10 warrior from AMD ATI would run at 800MHz core speed and 2200MHz video ram speed. But 128-bit GDDR4 may hurt its performance under 16x 12 resolutions with AA and AF on. See more detail.

Thanks kenofstephen for providing the Radeon HD 2600XT picture

The Metal Cover of GeForce 8800 Ultra Fan

2007-04-22T00:51:00.000+08:00

The Metal Cover of GeForce 8800 Ultra fan，It reminds me of Prison Break.

Four New Maps Screenshoots of QuakeWars

2007-04-21T18:07:00.000+08:00

Four new maps screenshots of Enemy Territory: Quake Wars were shown on quakewarscenter. These four new maps screenshots came from Refinery, Sewer, Ark and Valley maps.

You can check all four new maps screenshots of Enemy Territory at quakewarscenter.

NVIDIA: We Don't have GeForce 8800 GS

2007-04-21T17:06:00.000+08:00

Some reports yesterday suggested GeForce 8800 GS from NVIDIA with 64sp and 256-bit video ram. But today Guru3d said they were told by NVIDIA there's no GeForce 8800 GS in the graphiczilla's blueprint.

Characters of "GeForce 8800 GS" shown in Forceware 158 files were only typo.

You can check the original report below:
http://www.guru3d.com/newsitem.php?id=5223

GeForce 8800 Ultra With 0.8ns GDDR3

2007-04-21T08:08:00.000+08:00

Heard from anonymous source, GeForce 8800 Ultra will be annouced at 5/1, and you can buy it at 5/15. This monster will use 0.8ns GDDR3 video ram from samsung. Core and ram speed have not been decided yet, anything else should be same as GeForce 8800 GTX. Does this mean GeForce 8800 Ultra's ram speed up to 2.4GHz or 2.5GHz? Wait and see.

Radeon HD 2600XT VS. GeForce 8600 GTS in NFS: Carbon

2007-04-21T07:29:00.001+08:00

Don’t be fooled by 3DMARK06，Let’s rock the two guys in Need For Speed: Carbon!

1/ E6700+GeForce 8600 GTS from cho, default clock Setting, level of Detail: High

2/1/ E6700+GeForce 8600 GTS from cho, default clock Setting, level of Detail : MAX

3/E6600+ Radeon HD 2600XT from kenofstephen, default clock Setting, level of Detail : MAX

Cho and kenofstephen, Thank you for your fighting Tests.

R700 Starts

2007-04-21T01:03:00.000+08:00

Heard from an anonymous source close to ATI, ATI now begins to design R700 graphic chip. Does this mean R650 is simply a 65nm refresh of R600 and ATI canceled R680? Anyway, I bet R700 still a 65nm product and will show up 1 year later from now on.