X850XT=AMR Compatible?

[Hate_Bot]

I was wondering, does anyone have those links that said that the X850s could be AMR compatible>?

Thansk

 

[legcramp]

no..I dont think so..it would have to be on the new bridge to be amr compatible I think...

 

[mavalpha]

I can't find any links, but the reports I read say that all X cards support AMR- right down to the X300(SE)! One of its selling points over SLI is supposed to be that it DOESN'T require a bridge, and handles everything over the chipset.

Then again, we were also supposed to be able to mix and match cards for it- that went up in a puff of smoke.

 

[{NG}Fidel]

You can mix and match it from the rumors I have heard. Nothing solid yet, everything from the R3x0 and up is AMR compatible.

 

[mavalpha]

Mix-and-match is gone, but that may just be while they work the bugs out (not likely, unfortunately). I'll try to find a link later on- getting dinner now, me wants sushi! (*Fingers crossed*)

 

[Hate_Bot]

You can mix and match it from the rumors I have heard. Nothing solid yet, everything from the R3x0 and up is AMR compatible.

ATI said you couldnt mix and match, but ya, apperantly the X*00s work with AMR, but even more apparantly, they will only be adding support for the X850s

 

[{NG}Fidel]

This is what the Inq says.
http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=22485
Someone toss me a link to this no mix and match bussiness.
Because the article I posted was on the 13th of april and I dont remember anyone saying anything about no mix and match.

 

[KrakenGuy]

Hmm... Think of it this way... If you combine 2 different VPU's then the checkerboard effect would look odd cause the better video card will render better then the crappier video card, so the image quality would look really odd.

 

[{NG}Fidel]

Agreed but still they could push more of the load onto the better card while the weaker card renders less squares...

 

[mavalpha]

Original

Okay, it looks like ATI has thrown a wrench into the works.

At least for now there is one important update from what was previously reported – ATI wants two identical graphics cards to be installed, not two different boards as said before based on information from unofficial sources. Here is what ATI says to its partners:

Multiple ATI RADEON X800 XT boards cooperatively rendering a single frame;
Requires two physical x16 connectors on the mainboard;
Load balancing and synchronization implemented entirely in software;
No physical connector requires between devices;
Currently assumes two identical graphics devices installed in both connectors

Looks like it'll have the same constraints as nV's SLI, so no "upgrading one by one." If you want to go from two XL's to two XT's, you have to dump both and buy both simultaneously. It still remains to be seen what they will require BIOS-wise, but at least now we know how they are taking care of load-balancing.

I don't want to make you read through the whole thread, but the first six pages are scattered with little tidbits here and there. Unfortunately, the original article at XBit is down right now- I guess their servers are being reinforced after the hacking earlier this week.

 

[{NG}Fidel]

Thanks man. Get me that link ASAP though.

 

[mavalpha]

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/editorial/display/cebit2005-2.html, pulled from the quote above.

Unfortunately, the original article at XBit is down right now- I guess their servers are being reinforced after the hacking earlier this week.

The link was already there, just unavailable right now. Unfortunately, even Google's cache doesn't have an accurate version- just a SQL crash (lol). Otherwise I'd link you to that.

 

[HighTest]

One point is, it's all hyped but not proven until shipping support is available in either drivers with clear instructions or other offically released to press information.

I wouldn't purchase to ATI cards right now until it's truely a known fact.

But at the same time, AMR was hyped at being able to mix and match, the important point being that the faster card is reduced in speed and features to match the lower end. So matching an XT850XTPE to a X300 or X600 would "suck".

 

[{NG}Fidel]

Well we know ATi has a form of multi rendering due to their previous projects in this area with large scale companies flight sims and what not. No one can say ATi will realse AMR but I think its pretty safe to assume they will. I guess matching two cards of diffrent power would suck but I think they should at least have it so you dont need Identicle cards form same manufactuer and what not. So you can buy one PCIe X850XTPE and another down the road without worrying.

 

[mavalpha]

But at the same time, AMR was hyped at being able to mix and match, the important point being that the faster card is reduced in speed and features to match the lower end. So matching an XT850XTPE to a X300 or X600 would "suck".

Actually, that was just speculation from the same thread I linked above. We weren't sure how they would mix-and-match, and now it looks like they won't.

 

[HighTest]

If that's the case, then other than the bridge connector not being required, what's the advantage over SLI? Sounds like they'll be the same.

1. You'll be required to purchase the same cards for both slots. SLI and AMR (if true).

2. You'll be required to connect the two cards with a bridge connector. SLI only (if true for AMR).

I was thinking that #1 was where the attraction would be for AMR, if you could mix both an X850 and and X800XL for example.

 

[Shifra]

Hmm... Think of it this way... If you combine 2 different VPU's then the checkerboard effect would look odd cause the better video card will render better then the crappier video card, so the image quality would look really odd.

I think i see what your saying, but you can be wrong easily. Obviously the monitor isnt connected to both videocards so that each one is putting out its own image, so technically if a vid card can simply do the work for its squares, and send that information to the primary display card, it is my understanding that the primary card would display everything equal in quality.

If ati can get different cores to cooperate, which hasnt been confirmed or denied officially except through 3rd party sources, it would be a massive lead over SLI. Someone like me who has an X800 can simply buy one new vid card and run as if i were going dual X800s for a boost. Then i could repeat this process each year like a ladder effect keeping me at dual core operation for only half the cost of an SLI setup. I am a strong believer in this SLI/Dual card operation being proven very obsolete by dual core GPU's on a single PCB. I suppose you could still have your dual card effect, but by that point i'd expect graphics cards to be powerful enough to do literally anything on their own.

 

[{NG}Fidel]

Well if they can make it work with all games as if it were one card that would be quite the lead. Also performance is the main subject at hand here so even without the Dual GPU of any sort thing going as long as they are faster than an Sli config I doubt anyone will notice.