AMD introduced the ATI Radeon HD 3800 series of graphics processors. Manufactured on a 55-nanometre process, the cards support configurations with two, three or four GPUs. They were the first graphics cards announced with support for DirectX 10.1, which was planned for Windows Vista Service Pack 1. AMD targeted gaming enthusiasts while also emphasizing HD video applications.
Efficiency and multi-GPU operation
AMD said performance per watt had doubled compared with the previous chip generation. Company spokesman Stephan Schwolow described lower power consumption combined with higher performance as a user-visible advantage.
The series also introduced ATI CrossFireX, AMD’s then-new multi-GPU technology. Dual-GPU operation was supported at launch, with three- and four-GPU configurations scheduled for January 2008. PCI Express 2.0 provided additional graphics bandwidth.
DirectX 10.1 and models
Support for DirectX 10.1 was an early feature, though its practical value depended on future game support. Schwolow said compatible games would arrive and argued that owners of suitable hardware would benefit. NVIDIA’s newly introduced GeForce 8800 GT 256 MB did not provide full DirectX 10.1 support.
Two models launched in the series. The ATI Radeon HD 3850 carried 256 MB of GDDR3 memory and started at $179, while the ATI Radeon HD 3870 used 512 MB of GDDR4 memory and started at $219.
