ATI’s Graphics Cards Partners Consider Radeon X1800 XT Boost

At least some partners of graphics chip maker ATI Technologies are reportedly considering to increase the speeds of ATI RADEON X1800 XT-series graphics cards in order to make the products more appealing to customers in the light of the NVIDIA GeForce 7800 GTX 512MB release.

Some manufacturers of ATI RADEON-based graphics cards are reviewing possibilities to increase the RADEON X1800 XT-series clock-speeds to 650MHz – 675MHz for the visual processing unit (VPU) and up to 1550MHz or higher for the memory. While no makers among those questioned by X-bit labs confirmed that they had made the decision, at least one confirmed the fact of considerations.

Sources close to ATI Technologies noted that the company is unlikely to forbid its partners to boost performance of ATI-based products, however, they said there are special product guidelines that contain maximum speeds at which ATI still provides warranties. If those frequencies are not left behind, manufacturers will still have the warranty on products supplied by the Markham, Ontario-based graphics chip designer.