ATI Radeon X850 XT Platinum
AMD graphics card specifications and benchmark scores
ATI Radeon X850 XT Platinum Specifications
ATI Radeon X850 XT Platinum GPU Core
Shader units and compute resources
The ATI Radeon X850 XT Platinum GPU core specifications define its raw processing power for graphics and compute workloads. Shading units (also called CUDA cores, stream processors, or execution units depending on manufacturer) handle the parallel calculations required for rendering. TMUs (Texture Mapping Units) process texture data, while ROPs (Render Output Units) handle final pixel output. Higher shader counts generally translate to better GPU benchmark performance, especially in demanding games and 3D applications.
ATI Radeon X850 XT Platinum Clock Speeds
GPU and memory frequencies
Clock speeds directly impact the ATI Radeon X850 XT Platinum's performance in GPU benchmarks and real-world gaming. The base clock represents the minimum guaranteed frequency, while the boost clock indicates peak performance under optimal thermal conditions. Memory clock speed affects texture loading and frame buffer operations. The ATI Radeon X850 XT Platinum by AMD dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.
AMD's ATI Radeon X850 XT Platinum Memory
VRAM capacity and bandwidth
VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The ATI Radeon X850 XT Platinum's memory capacity determines how well it handles high-resolution textures and multiple displays. Memory bandwidth, measured in GB/s, affects how quickly data moves between the GPU and VRAM. Higher bandwidth improves performance in memory-intensive scenarios like 4K gaming. The memory bus width and type (GDDR6, GDDR6X, HBM) significantly influence overall GPU benchmark scores.
ATI Radeon X850 XT Platinum Theoretical Performance
Compute and fill rates
Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the ATI Radeon X850 XT Platinum against other graphics cards. FP32 (single-precision) performance, measured in TFLOPS, indicates compute capability for gaming and general GPU workloads. FP64 (double-precision) matters for scientific computing. Pixel and texture fill rates determine how quickly the GPU can render complex scenes. While real-world GPU benchmark results depend on many factors, these specifications help predict relative performance levels.
R400 Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The ATI Radeon X850 XT Platinum is built on AMD's R400 architecture, which defines how the GPU processes graphics and compute workloads. The manufacturing process node affects power efficiency, thermal characteristics, and maximum clock speeds. Smaller process nodes pack more transistors into the same die area, enabling higher performance per watt. Understanding the architecture helps predict how the ATI Radeon X850 XT Platinum will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.
AMD's ATI Radeon X850 XT Platinum Power & Thermal
TDP and power requirements
Power specifications for the ATI Radeon X850 XT Platinum determine PSU requirements and thermal management needs. TDP (Thermal Design Power) indicates the heat output under typical loads, guiding cooler selection. Power connector requirements ensure adequate power delivery for stable operation during demanding GPU benchmarks. The suggested PSU wattage accounts for the entire system, not just the graphics card. Efficient power delivery enables the ATI Radeon X850 XT Platinum to maintain boost clocks without throttling.
ATI Radeon X850 XT Platinum by AMD Physical & Connectivity
Dimensions and outputs
Physical dimensions of the ATI Radeon X850 XT Platinum are critical for case compatibility. Card length, height, and slot width determine whether it fits in your chassis. The PCIe interface version affects bandwidth for communication with the CPU. Display outputs define monitor connectivity options, with modern cards supporting multiple high-resolution displays simultaneously. Verify these specifications against your case and motherboard before purchasing to ensure a proper fit.
AMD API Support
Graphics and compute APIs
API support determines which games and applications can fully utilize the ATI Radeon X850 XT Platinum. DirectX 12 Ultimate enables advanced features like ray tracing and variable rate shading. Vulkan provides cross-platform graphics capabilities with low-level hardware access. OpenGL remains important for professional applications and older games. CUDA (NVIDIA) and OpenCL enable GPU compute for video editing, 3D rendering, and scientific applications. Higher API versions unlock newer graphical features in GPU benchmarks and games.
ATI Radeon X850 XT Platinum Product Information
Release and pricing details
The ATI Radeon X850 XT Platinum is manufactured by AMD as part of their graphics card lineup. Release date and launch pricing provide context for comparing GPU benchmark results with competing products from the same era. Understanding the product lifecycle helps evaluate whether the ATI Radeon X850 XT Platinum by AMD represents good value at current market prices. Predecessor and successor information aids in tracking generational improvements and planning future upgrades.
ATI Radeon X850 XT Platinum Benchmark Scores
No benchmark data available for this GPU.
About ATI Radeon X850 XT Platinum
The ATI Radeon X850 XT Platinum was engineered for the high-performance computing demands of its era. Released in late 2004, its R400 architecture and 130 nm process delivered significant raw pixel-pushing power for professional graphics tasks of the time. While modern GPUs have vastly surpassed its capabilities, its 256 MB of GDDR3 memory on a 256-bit bus provided the necessary bandwidth for complex scene manipulation. This made it a viable, if now historical, contender for compute-accelerated workflows in design and pre-rendering. Its performance was characterized by several key architectural features:
- High clock speeds enabling rapid geometry processing.
- Shader Model 2.0b support for the era's computational tasks.
- An efficient memory subsystem minimizing data bottlenecks.
For video editing and content creation in the mid-2000s, this AMD flagship offered relevant acceleration. Applications leveraging Direct3D and OpenGL could utilize the GPU for certain real-time preview and filtering effects, improving workflow efficiency over CPU-only rendering. The 256 MB frame buffer was crucial for handling multiple video layers and higher-resolution assets within the limits of the period's software. However, the lack of dedicated video encoding hardware like modern GPUs meant its role was primarily in effects processing and final output rendering. The Radeon X850 XT Platinum thus served as a bridge between consumer gaming hardware and nascent professional creative tools, providing a performance tier that benefited enthusiasts and prosumers alike.
In a professional context, this graphics card operated without the formal certifications common in today's enterprise market. It lacked dedicated workstation drivers and validation for applications like CAD or scientific modeling, which were reserved for ATI's FireGL line. Its enterprise features were minimal, focusing instead on raw performance for the enthusiast segment. The Platinum Edition card, with its launch price of $549, was positioned as a premium consumer product, not a certified professional tool. Its legacy lies in demonstrating the performance potential of PCI Express 1.0 and GDDR3 memory, technologies that would become foundational for future professional and consumer GPUs alike.
The NVIDIA Equivalent of ATI Radeon X850 XT Platinum
Looking for a similar graphics card from NVIDIA? The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 offers comparable performance and features in the NVIDIA lineup.
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