Market Review ATI chipset production leaves a dual impression. On the one hand, the company proudly shows data on high market share Socket939 systems, but on the other hand, the actual products on the chipset ATI shops still low. It is likely that significant gains on the sale of the company reached at the corporate market, but the number of systems for computer enthusiasts are not so large.

The situation must be rectified latest chipsets ATI Crossfire Xpress 3200, which previously had been code-named RD580. The purpose of the appearance of this product is quite simple: to increase the proportion of high-end systems with two graphics cards working in Crossfire mode.

For, until today, Crossfire popularity was low. First, the number of cards with the chipsets supporting Crossfire was considerably lower number of proposals from NVIDIA (for SLI technology). This is primarily related to AMD systems, where a typical board Crossfire support was often based on ATI Xpress 200 chipset with a very weak southern bridge SB450 (which, for example, does not have the support SerialATA II; see review board ECS KA1 MVP Extreme). For Intel systems, the situation was a little easier: i975X chipset shares on the two slot PCI-E x16 to 8 lines of tires, and accordingly supports Crossfire. With regard to support for Crossfire i955X chipset (which divides the lines by a ratio of 16 +4), we have no verified information. The latter relates to another problem: few suggestions graphics cards in Crossfire mode. And the organization itself of this technology is quite cumbersome: it is necessary to acquire the "Master" - another card + additional graphics card (well, and where to store all of this when you upgrade?).

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So, all of these shortcomings were removed at times one outlet chipset ATI Crossfire Xpress 3200. First, in conjunction with the southern bridge ULi M1575 possibility of expanding significantly increased, which increases the attractiveness of motherboards. But most importantly the dignity of a new chipset, in my opinion, is that the problem of finding graphics cards virtually eliminated. Let me give you an example: in a rather large, but provincial store, which is not seen in the eyes of Crossfire Master card, I bought two graphics cards ATI X1300. By setting them on the motherboard Asus A8R32-MVP (korotaya based on ATI Crossfire Xpress 3200), I had no complications included Crossfire mode with one click the mouse. In doing so, it was not necessary to establish any connecting cables, no bridges, clicking any terminator or BIOS parameters.