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

AMD Unleashes Enthusiast Gaming Performance for the Masses with ATI Radeon™ HD 3800 Series Incredible performance per watt and scalability with never before seen price points put enthusiast-class gaming in reach of all usersSUNNYVALE, Calif. -- November 15, 2007 --AMD (NYSE: 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 HyperTransport™3 on next-generation AMD platforms provides a dramatic increase in the amount of system bandwidth for high definition, multi-GPU PC gaming.

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 to users than they delivers more performance-per-watt and performance per-mm 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-rayTM 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.

AMD Penang Helps Nurture Young Minds in Science and Technology

More than 50 primary and secondary schools in Penang competed in the recent Science and Technology Carnival 2007 co-sponsored by AMD Penang. Students in the biannual event competed in science and engineering innovation under the categories of mathematics, science, engineering and computer science. Projects and activities included a solar-powered car race, a rocket launching exercise, cooking with nature’s tools and the Eureka energy-efficient beach house."This program is capable of discovering the talents of students in various aspects, such as in scientific research and inventions and the systematic reporting of their findings," said Dato'

Dr. Toh Kin Woon, Penang Education Committee chairman.The carnival also featured exhibitions, information booths and hands-on activities from government agencies and other private sector organizations. University Science Malaysia (USM) showcased exhibits on Astronomy while groups National Science Centre, Sykt F1 In School and Jabatan Alam Sekitar Pulau Pinang supported to make the program a success.Because the nation seeks to raise the capacity for knowledge and innovation while nurturing young minds, AMD Penang has actively supported this event since its introduction in 1990.

AMD one Laptop per child

It's not the most powerful computer you'll ever buy, but it just might help save the world. That's the idea behind the XO Laptop, developed by Nicholas Negroponte of the MIT Media Lab. The stripped-down machine with its sunlight-friendly screen is perfect for kids in the developing world, and the low price encourages governments to buy in bulk.Available Nowlaptop.org

Gulf reduces Intel/AMD gulf

By David Kirkpatrick
It’s not a great day for Intel. With its much smaller but super-feisty rival AMD getting an infusion of $608 million from an investment arm of the government of Abu Dhabi, the ground shifts slightly toward the insurgent in microprocessors.
AMD has had a tough road from its inception, battling against a quasi-monopolist which just happens to be one of the world’s best technology innovators and a superb marketer to boot.
Even though AMD (AMD) about 5 years ago shifted direction and rethought PC microprocessors in the right way—one which has transformed Intel’s (INTC) technology as much as its own—
the little chipmaker has still not really won any wars.
AMD has remained subject to the whims and vagaries of Intel’s market power, even though it has transformed its market position and become a viable provider for chips across the board in x86 computing. Whereas until not long ago it mostly only sold chips for desktop PCs, now it sells top-quality processors for machines ranging from the tiniest laptops to the biggest servers and supercomputers. It has gained a lot of market share but not made very much profit—
and lately, none. In fact in the most recent quarter AMD lost a stunning $396 million.
Intel is so rich and has so much clout and commands so many resources that AMD throughout its history has repeatedly run up against a competitive wall that was hard to surmount.
Lately that’s been happening again, as Intel has mimicked many of AMD’s innovations in multi-core computing and applied the lever of pricing to force its rival into the red.
The investment today gives AMD just a little more breathing room and probably insures its viability for a while longer, and maybe more than that.
While AMD will never have Intel’s massive scale advantages, with this money and its continued technological smarts it is likely to be better positioned to offer the chips that will keep pushing performance.
That will even be good for Intel, however much it may annoy its executives to see this sovereign government investment fund infusing its enemy with new vitality. Those Intel executives grudgingly acknowledge today that their company has been made better by its need to match and better AMD’s innovations.
I have no idea if AMD can turn around its market position well enough to impress Wall Street again and get its stock out of the toilet. But Abu Dhabi’s Khalifa Al Mubarak is probably not completely dreaming when he said in today’s press release “We see significant opportunities for long-term growth and value creation.”
With its string of recent losses one cannot help wondering if AMD will be able to stay around and keep up its healthy annoyance of Intel, continue keeping its giant rival sharp, and keep pushing the boundaries of computing for all of our benefit. Now those doubts are erased, at least for a while.

Radeon HD3800 series released

AMD yesterday 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".Reviews:

1. Tweaktown
2. Hardware Canucks
3. Elite Bastards Hexus
4. HotHardware
   AnandTech
   Legit Reviews

From the reviews we have seen so far, it looks like the 3870 gives NVIDIA some competition in DirectX 10 games, while the DX9 performance is not as stellar. But then again, even with DX9 performance lower than NVIDIA's 8800GT, at 100+ fps average, the difference is not noticeable anyway. Let's just hope the 3870 X2 (R680) can compete in the enthusiast market or AMD's next generation GPUs are right around the corner. Actually, both would be nice. If AMD can keep the price low and have good driver support for the cards, they may be able to gain back some lost ground in the graphics market