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New 90nm graphics processor units (GPUs) from ATI Technologies and Nvidia, with ATI’s flagship R580 chip and two 7xxx series from Nvidia, are expected to enter mass shipments by the end of the first quarter of 2006, according to Taiwan-based graphics card makers.

ATI’s current 90nm GPU lineup includes the Radeon X1800, X1600, and X1300 series, but out of these only the lower-end X1300 series is sufficient enough in supply to meet current demand, the makers noted. ATI’s next-generation flagship GPU, the R580, which the graphics chip vendor expects to release in January of 2006, should actually start shipping at the end of the first quarter, the makers noted.

Nvidia is scheduled to introduce its GeForce 7600 (codenamed G73) and 7200 (codenamed G72) graphics chip during the same period when ATI’s R580 hits the market, graphics card makers noted.

As reported on November 7, an upstream component shortage has led to tight supplies of ATI’s GPUs including the Radeon 9250, X300, X550 and its recently launched Radeon X1000 family. Supplies of ATI’s Radeon X1000 series should improve significantly by the first quarter of next year, according to the makers.

http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20051201A5027.html

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