ATI Mobility Radeon X800 XT: More Pipes in Notebooks
by Derek Wilson on June 6, 2005 7:48 AM EST- Posted in
- GPUs
Performance Overview
We tested the Alienware system at both 1280x1024 and 1680x1050 (the panel's native resolution). As we can clearly see, the ATI Mobility Radeon X800 XT is no slouch when it comes to pushing pixels around. The 1280x1024 numbers are great, but on a notebook like this, everyone will want to run native resolution. Half Life 2 was tested using our custom coast_12 demo, and Doom 3 ran with 8xAF enabled (as we used High Quality mode for our tests).
And at native resolution, we have very playable frame rates. We can enable 4xAA/8xAF on any of these titles and not have any problems. It would even be possible to run at higher resolutions with an external monitor, but the panel that comes with our tested system is definitely beautiful.
Comparing the Mobility Radeon X800 XT to desktop parts shows us just how powerful a part that we are dealing with. Our notebook even beats the desktop X850 XT in a couple of tests as our X850 XT numbers were run on slightly older drivers. Generally, this part will keep up with the highest end ATI desktop part with no problems.
Quite impressive performance numbers, indeed.
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HermosaBeach - Saturday, June 18, 2005 - link
A 1600x1080 LCD would cost more than $400.I would love to see the ATI X800 as an option with Dell XPS Gen 2 laptop.
For me, battery life is nice, but not as important as performance. I like the portability, but I don't mind plugging in where-ver I go - airports, friends house, at work, different locations around the house, even restaurants have available power.
Dave
ElFenix - Friday, June 10, 2005 - link
systems like this should not be called notebooks, much less laptops. more like 'super huge 3 ring binder stuffed full of papers'i like how alienware doesn't mention the weight on the 'tech specs' page of the monster. oh, i found it. "starting at 10.0 lbs*" i wonder what that asterisk is for? there is no asterisk as the bottom of the page. lets continue on to configure... oh, i get it, the asterisk tells you that that is the weight without the battery! "12.5lbs with battery"
SDA - Wednesday, June 8, 2005 - link
>>Seeing as I'm not going to spend the time to come up with specifics, I'm going to have to conceed the point. But, the original comment wasn't meant to be insulting, so I wish you'd lighten up. >>I'm sorry if I seem rude or insulting, but I hate it when people say that AMD machines (or Intel machines, or Transmeta machines, or DEC machines, or Apple machines, or...) are innately unstable in some way. It's a silly argument on many levels, but one that people take to very easily if they see it. I appreciate your response, fwiw.
Hatglance - Wednesday, June 8, 2005 - link
Seeing as I'm not going to spend the time to come up with specifics, I'm going to have to conceed the point. But, the original comment wasn't meant to be insulting, so I wish you'd lighten up.The point of my original post was to add my own first hand observation about the fan noise issue and my general satisfaction with this well built machine.
To add more perspective to the cost issue, I remember 10+ years ago a high end laptop cost nearly $10k.
SDA - Wednesday, June 8, 2005 - link
>>I do get the thermal and power advantage of AMD, but I'm afraid my comment stands. If anything has really changed with AMD stability recently, I may be proven wrong.>>Nothing has changed with "AMD stability". Processors can not be innately instable unless they are defective. It is possible for overheating processors to cause instability, but obviously this is not a problem with the A64.
Again: do your research before you spew BS.
>>Problems which are a minor anoyance to the average Anandtech poster are a nightmare to the average gamer who is buying the majority of computers. They want it to work, period. >>
What "problems"? Are you just assuming that AMD processors must have problems because they aren't in any of the overpriced laptops you've bought, or do you think they have problems because your friends have stability problems? If it's the latter, guess what: just because someone builds an unstable system with component X in it doesn't mean component X is causing the problem. In the case of processors, it is VERY unlikely that the CPU is the problem.
Hatglance - Wednesday, June 8, 2005 - link
re #35I do get the thermal and power advantage of AMD, but I'm afraid my comment stands. If anything has really changed with AMD stability recently, I may be proven wrong. Problems which are a minor anoyance to the average Anandtech poster are a nightmare to the average gamer who is buying the majority of computers. They want it to work, period. Developing a laptop is difficult as it is (the reason for the price premium), so offering a choice of Intel or AMD probably isn't an option.
What has really brought laptops up to speed with desktops is the Mobility 9800 & X800 and Geforce go 6800 cards. Any performance advantage gained with AMD64 is marginal. My previous top of the line laptop was 2 years behind desktops when I got it, so I'm more than happy with the new one.
SDA - Tuesday, June 7, 2005 - link
#25, when are they slated for release? Also, hi.#29, but the 9300's a brick.. oh, right, they're all bricks. Good price, then.
#31, I think "these AMD lovers" are just trying to say that since A64s offer (slightly) better performance in games than comparable P4s AND put out less heat, they seem like much better choices for this application. Also, if you're implying that systems based on AMD processors are somehow innately unstable, you really need to learn more about hardware before you comment on it. (Of course, that goes for most Alienware owners.)
Shadowmage - Tuesday, June 7, 2005 - link
Wow, amazing! This includes the RAM, GPU, etc?The nVidia 6800 Ultra go uses 66+W!
Another GREAT design win for ATI :D
DerekWilson - Tuesday, June 7, 2005 - link
Shadowmage -- you are correct -- 35W.Shadowmage - Monday, June 6, 2005 - link
What's the TDP on the X800XT Mobility part? I heard it's 35W, but I would really like to verify it :)