Written by Damien Triolet
Published on March 11, 2006

URL: http://www.behardware.com/news/lire/11-03-2006/#8045

Recently announced by ATI, these graphic cards were almost nowhere to be found at CeBIT. The reason is because ATI decided to release this product only at the very last minute. Partners weren’t aware of that and were unable to produce these cards in time.

We remind you that the X1800 GTO is similar to the X1800 XL except for the number of pixel shader processing units decreased from 16 to 12. To have an example of these cards you only have to change their bios to transform a X1800 XL into a X1800 GTO. Physically, the two cards are identical. Sapphire and Power Color are the only one to expose a X1800 GTO or a X1800 XL with a GTO sticker (we don't know if they haven't' only changed the bios …)

This release decided at the last minute is of course a reaction to NVIDIA's 7600 GT. ATI has the intention to be present on this segment even if they don't make any money out of it. Cards rapidly entered production and ATI announced the product availability before the end of the month.