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- Date:
- Monday , March 14, 2005
- Author:
- Brent Justice
- Editor:
- Kyle Bennett
- Google +1
VisionTek XTASY X850 XT Review
Today we have VisionTek’s first retail RADEON X850 XT-based video card up for evaluation. We take it through the full gamut of gaming in six of the most demanding games comparing it to the competition along the way.
Introduction:
On December 1, 2004, ATI launched the new X850 series video cards. We covered the ATI RADEON X850 XT-PE here. We highly suggest you read at least that first page to get a grasp on what the new series is bringing to the table. If you read our article, you will find that the X850 XT doesn’t have any new features that the pre-existing X800 series video cards didn’t already have. The new X850 series is simply a more efficient design with increased VPU and memory clock speeds, as well as a new thermal solution.
The X850 series contains 3 different models. The top-of-the-line model is the X850 XT-PE (Platinum Edition). The X850 XT-PE is a 16 pixel-pipeline card that runs at 540MHz VPU frequency and 1.18GHz memory frequency. The RADEON X850 XT is the mid-range card that also has16 pixel-pipelines, but is clocked at 520MHz VPU frequency and 1.08GHz memory frequency. Concluding the new X850 series is the RADEON X850 PRO, which has only 12 pixel-pipelines and runs at 520MHz VPU frequency and 1.08GHz memory frequency.
All three of these X850 series video cards are based on the same 3D technology that you will find in the X800 series. They all support SMARTSHADER HD with support for 1,536 pixel shader instructions per pass using Pixel Shader 2.0b. They all support 3Dc as well. They all support ATI’s proprietary Geometry Instancing technique and Vertex Shader 2.0 with 6 vertex units each. They each support up to 6X Multi-Sample Anti-Aliasing with gamma correction and support for Temporal AA up to 12X effective. They support up to a maximum of 16X Anisotropic filtering all as part of SMOOTHVISION HD. They are all native PCI-Express VPUs and support a 256-bit memory bus with GDDR3 memory.
What we have today is not the X850XT-PE but the the mid-range X850 XT. VisionTek is well known for their XTASY line of high quality video cards based on ATI VPUs. They have a solid reputation for quality, service, and appealing to the hardcore gamer. We’ve had very good luck overclocking VisionTek video cards in the past. All of VisionTek’s video cards carry a lifetime warranty.
The XTASY RADEON X850 XT is VisonTek’s newest video card offering based on the latest ATI RADEON X850 series technology.
VisonTek XTASY RADEON X850 XT:
One thing we like about VisonTek’s boxes is that they list the VPU and memory frequencies right on the front so you know exactly what you are getting. They also list the type and amount of memory, and what video outputs the video card supports. On the back of the box, they list all the technology features. Inside, a cardboard box slides out that contains the cables, software, and video card.
You can see above that the VisionTek XTASY X850 XT is a double slot video card that uses ATI’s new blower fan thermal solution. The heatsink is all copper and the fan draws air from inside your case over the heatsink and blows it out the back. The back brace that holds the heavy heatsink into place makes contact with the RAM modules on the back via thermal pads. Because the fins on the fan are quite large, the fan does not have to run at high speeds to move a lot of air. These large fins allow the fan to spin at a slower speed thereby reducing the noise output. .
This video card does require external power for proper operation and uses the 6-pin PCI-Express power connector. The VisionTek XTASY X850 XT supports VGA, DVI and HDTV or S-Video or Composite output.
Included in the box is a PCI-Express power supply adaptor, a DVI to VGA adapter, a S-Video to Composite adapter, an S-Video cable, and a S-Video HDTV out cable. There is also a quick installation guide and a driver software CD included.