Hundreds of ATI SKUs ahoy (potentially...)

[Steve]

We've learned that ATI's got a new method for shutting down knackered bits of chips, paving the way for better yields and potentially a slew of SKUs.

http://www.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=7467

[Cannyone]

I don't think this bodes well for ATI. Don't get me wrong. I like ATI cards, and both of my current systems have them. At the same time, I remember when I would avoid ATI because I couldn't be sure about what I was actually getting. So, yes, from a production standpoint it makes sense, they just hope it doesn't backfire on them.

[DeathByDuke]

meh, this'll only reduce the chance of a softmod. no more 9500s then

[awm]

Hopefully they will just do something like being able to turn off pipes 3, 7, 8, and 13 in a 16 pipe card to make a 12 pipe instead of having to do it in a block. Or better yet promise at least 12 pipes, but you could get 13 or 14 if you're lucky. Either way too many SKUs just makes people confused and interested in nVidia.

[father smurf]

just a very enhacned version of what they do with cpus - but insted of downgrading them on speed - they down-model them for spec.

so less waste, and more profits or perhaps lower prices which is good

[Mblaster]

Depends how far they take this IMO, wityh CPU's it's mainly just the frequency that is changed (also cache, but to a much lesser extent).

If you start having 4+ variables with 3 options on each one that's a huge number of cards already. It's already bad enough with the XL, XT, XTX etc.

[CrazyMonkey]

Originally Posted by Mblaster

It's already bad enough with the XL, XT, XTX etc.

Soo True.

[fisnik]

Well hopefully it'll mean lower prices for us, rather than just bigger profits for them.

[torched_geek]

-Sighs-.
As much as I like the looks of the New ATI cards.. (I just got my friend to order one for his new comp - X1900GT)..
You seem to have to be an expert on ATi/graphics cards to be able to buy one without being conned by the names.

[DeathByDuke]

nvidia is not far off the mark either.. how many people have bought 5200s, 6200s, 7200/7300s etc that werent marked for 64 bit or turbocache in name? And who can forget the fiasco with Geforce4 MX... not quite a 3 even.

At least with ATi we get 'SE' to mean 'Crappier Edition'

9600SE = 64 bit 9600 = 128 bit 9600 Pro = faster 9600 9600 XT = fastest etc at least that was simple. for a while.

Things stayed simple again with the X1800s and X1900s. they only came out with XL and XT, or XT and XTX respectively.

I think the mayhem is mainly in budget cards to be honest. Thats where theres less regulations on the naming process, as with reference spec high end cards, they have to be A speed core and B speed memory with C spec pipelines or they cant be sold as Card Super Duper GTXT