ATI Radeon HD 2900 XT

The ATI Radeon HD 2900 XT is an end-of-life graphics card from AMD, built on the R600 chip using the TeraScale architecture. It was released on 2007-05-13 with a launch MSRP of 399 USD. The card is manufactured on TSMC's 80 nm process, packing 720 million transistors into a 420 mm² die, yielding a transistor density of 1.7M / mm². It connects via PCIe 1.0 x16 and occupies a dual-slot form factor.

Benchmark Performance

The database lists an average benchmark score of 0 for the HD 2900 XT, indicating that no aggregate performance runs have been recorded in the current dataset. However, its percentile ranking against all GPUs is 50, meaning it sits exactly at the median of the entire tracked population. This suggests that, despite the lack of a concrete score, the card's expected performance is average relative to everything else in the database. The theoretical throughput figures reinforce this: the card delivers 475.5 GFLOPS of FP32 compute, 11.89 GPixel/s of pixel fill rate, and 11.89 GTexel/s of texture fill rate. These numbers are derived from the 320 shading units, 16 TMUs, and 16 ROPs. The pixel and texture rates are identical at 11.89, indicating a balanced design where each ROP and TMU operates at the same clock. The FP32 figure of 475.5 GFLOPS is the raw compute capability, and for a card from this era, it places the HD 2900 XT in the middle of the pack. The 50th percentile ranking is a direct reflection of these specifications. In practice, the data suggests that the HD 2900 XT can handle mainstream resolutions and settings of its time, but it is not a high-end performer by modern standards. The lack of benchmark scores means that direct comparison to specific rivals is impossible from the database alone, but the percentile provides a relative anchor.

Ray Tracing and Feature Set

The HD 2900 XT does not include any dedicated ray tracing cores or tensor cores, as both fields are null in the specification. This means that ray tracing, if attempted, would have to be done in software or on the general-purpose shading units, which is not practical for real-time workloads. The card supports DirectX 10.0 (10_0) as its primary graphics API, which was the standard for its generation. OpenGL support is listed as 3.3 (full) and 4.0 (partial), meaning that while the full 3.3 feature set is available, only a subset of OpenGL 4.0 functionality is exposed. Vulkan is not supported at all, as the field is null. This feature set is characteristic of the TeraScale architecture, which predates the modern compute-oriented APIs. The absence of tensor cores also means no hardware acceleration for AI or machine learning workloads. For a card released in 2007, the DirectX 10.0 support was a key feature, but the lack of newer APIs limits its compatibility with contemporary software. The display outputs consist of 2x DVI and 1x S-Video, which are analog and digital connectors of that era. Overall, the feature set is firmly rooted in the mid-2000s, with no support for modern rendering techniques like ray tracing or variable rate shading.

Memory Subsystem

The memory subsystem is one of the defining characteristics of the HD 2900 XT. It comes with 512 MB of GDDR3 memory, which was a standard capacity at its release. The memory bus is 512-bit wide, which is exceptionally wide for a graphics card of this class. This wide bus allows for a memory bandwidth of 106.0 GB/s, a figure that is achieved with a memory clock of 828 MHz, translating to 1656 Mbps effective. The 512-bit bus is the key enabler of this bandwidth; a narrower bus would require a much higher clock to reach the same throughput. For high-resolution gaming, the 512 MB capacity is a limiting factor, as modern textures and frame buffers can exceed this amount. However, the 106.0 GB/s bandwidth is sufficient to feed the 320 shading units and 16 ROPs without causing a bottleneck at lower resolutions. The memory clock of 828 MHz is modest, but the wide bus compensates. In practice, this means that the card is best suited for lower resolutions, such as those common at its release, where the 512 MB frame buffer is less likely to be exhausted. At higher resolutions, the memory capacity would be a severe constraint, and the bandwidth might also become insufficient for complex scenes. The 512-bit bus is a testament to the engineering of the R600 chip, but the small capacity holds it back.

How It Compares

The database provides no nearest rival entries for the HD 2900 XT, meaning that no direct comparison scores or delta percentages are available. Therefore, the analysis must rely on the percentile ranking and the card's position within its own product lineage. The HD 2900 XT sits at the 50th percentile of all GPUs, which places it exactly at the median. This is a neutral position, indicating that half of the GPUs in the database perform better and half perform worse. Its predecessor is the Radeon R500 PCIe series, and its successor is the Radeon R700 series. The transition from R500 to R600 brought the TeraScale architecture and DirectX 10.0 support, but the HD 2900 XT itself is now end-of-life. Without rival data, it is impossible to state specific deltas, but the percentile ranking gives a relative sense of its standing. The card's 215 W TDP and requirement for a 550 W power supply suggest that it is a power-hungry part for its performance class. The dual-slot design and 241 mm (9.5 inches) length are typical for a high-end card of its era. In summary, the HD 2900 XT occupies a middle ground in the overall GPU landscape, with no direct rival data to refine that position further.

FAQ

Q: What is the memory capacity and type of the ATI Radeon HD 2900 XT?

A: The card features 512 MB of GDDR3 memory on a 512-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 106.0 GB/s.

Q: Does the HD 2900 XT support ray tracing?

A: No, the card has no ray tracing cores (the field is null) and no tensor cores, so hardware-accelerated ray tracing is not available.

Q: What are the power requirements for this card?

A: The card has a TDP of 215 W and requires a suggested power supply of 550 W, with a 1x 6-pin and 1x 8-pin power connector setup.

Q: Which API versions does the HD 2900 XT support?

A: It supports DirectX 10.0 (10_0), OpenGL 3.3 (full) and 4.0 (partial), but does not support Vulkan.

Q: What is the process node and transistor count of the R600 chip?

A: The chip is fabricated on an 80 nm process at TSMC, with 720 million transistors on a 420 mm² die.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of the HD 2900 XT?

A: The launch MSRP is 399 USD.

Who Should Consider It

The HD 2900 XT is a card that should be considered by users who are building a retro or period-correct system, given its 2007 release date and end-of-life status. The 50th percentile ranking indicates that it is an average performer among all GPUs, so it is not suitable for modern AAA titles at high settings. The 512 MB VRAM and 106.0 GB/s bandwidth make it adequate for standard resolutions of its time with older games or low-to-medium settings. The 11.89 GPixel/s pixel rate and 11.89 GTexel/s texture rate are sufficient for the games of its era, but they will struggle with modern geometry and shaders. The 475.5 GFLOPS FP32 compute is a baseline figure, and the lack of tensor and RT cores means no support for AI upscaling or ray tracing. The 215 W TDP and 550 W PSU requirement mean that a decent power supply is necessary. The dual-slot cooler and 241 mm length should fit in most standard cases. For a user who wants to experience DirectX 10.0 titles of the mid-2000s, this card is a viable option, but for any modern workload, it is not recommended. The 50th percentile position suggests that it is a balanced, middle-of-the-road part, but the small memory capacity and lack of modern API support are significant drawbacks. In short, it is a card for enthusiasts of the era, not for current gaming.