Radeon X1300 and X1600 Won't Need Master Cards
by Kristopher Kubicki on November 8, 2005 2:26 AM EST- Posted in
- GPUs
A new ATI advisory is out, and it looks like ATI fans are in for an interesting surprise; X1300 and X1600 won't need a master card. We confirmed this with a few AIBs over the last few hours, but it appears that ATI will release a new driver soon that enables Crossfire over the PCIe bus on Radeon X1300 and X1600 video cards - eliminating the need for dedicated master cards.
Low end NVIDIA cards can already run in SLI mode with out any additional support. Even on high end cards, the SLI bridge can be removed with a performance hit. These bridge-less, cable-less Radeons will represent the purest vision of a multi-GPU configuration. Rather than purchase a BBA (Built By ATI) master card, any AIB or BBA Radeon X1600 will work together in Crossfire mode. AIB partners could not confirm as to whether separate graphic card families would also work together in Crossfire mode.
Radeon X850 and X1800 will still require a master card to enable Crossfire. Radeon X1300 video cards are already filling the channel here and there, but Radeon X1600 is still not expected to hit channel shelves until December.
Low end NVIDIA cards can already run in SLI mode with out any additional support. Even on high end cards, the SLI bridge can be removed with a performance hit. These bridge-less, cable-less Radeons will represent the purest vision of a multi-GPU configuration. Rather than purchase a BBA (Built By ATI) master card, any AIB or BBA Radeon X1600 will work together in Crossfire mode. AIB partners could not confirm as to whether separate graphic card families would also work together in Crossfire mode.
Radeon X850 and X1800 will still require a master card to enable Crossfire. Radeon X1300 video cards are already filling the channel here and there, but Radeon X1600 is still not expected to hit channel shelves until December.
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Missing Ghost - Tuesday, November 8, 2005 - link
Not really interesting since crossfire is poor in the current version and x1300/x1600 cards are not worth the price.Capt Caveman - Tuesday, November 8, 2005 - link
Based on their poor performance to price, who would buy one of these's anyways?swatX - Tuesday, November 8, 2005 - link
exactly. if you are planning to get 2 x1600xt then why not just get a x1800xl . Also while this is a great move by ATI by eliminating crossfire master cards for the lower end cards, it should be considered as something great had been done by ATIyou can already mix and match 6800GTs or 7800s using the 80 series driver.
L00PY - Tuesday, November 8, 2005 - link
Easy. People who can only afford one will buy only one now. Once it starts getting long in the tooth or when they can afford more performance, the easy upgrade path of a second one is available. Cards will no doubt be much cheaper then too so it'll be an even more attractive of an option.Tebor0 - Tuesday, November 8, 2005 - link
The trouble is that by the time most people end up buying the 2nd card the money is much better spent on a new card that'll be fast and loaded with new features. SLI/Crossfire is only really worth it for the high end cards and only if you're buying both at the same time IMO.erinlegault - Tuesday, November 8, 2005 - link
I agree.Tebor0 - Tuesday, November 8, 2005 - link
The trouble is that by the time most people end up buying the 2nd card the money is much better spent on a new card that'll be fast and loaded with new features. SLI/Crossfire is only really worth it for the high end cards and only if you're buying both at the same time IMO.erinlegault - Tuesday, November 8, 2005 - link
I agree.