ATi Radeon VE Review - Alan Smith
List Price: $85 (USD)



ATi Radeon VE

The ATi Radeon VE is the little brother to the ATi Radeon chip. This video card is not aimed at the high-end gaming client, but more at the budget minded consumer. ATi lists a TON of features on their webpage, let's take a look at some of them here.

Specifications

• Powered by the RADEONT VE graphics processor


• HydraVisionT Multiple Monitor Management Software gives you flexible multi-display support to enable many combinations of VGA, DVI and TV


• 32MB of DDR memory


• ATI's HYPER ZT technology reduces memory bandwidth consumption resulting in improved performance


• Incredible 3Dgraphics performance with ATI's PIXEL TAPESTRYT 3D rendering engine


• Supports DirectXr 7.0, DirectX 8.0r and OpenGLr


• DVI interface with integrated TMDS for economical digital flat panel support


• DVD playback with integrated motion compensation and iDCT


• Analog video output support for both composite and S-Video


• Supports 3D resolutions (32-bit color) up to 1920 x 1200


• AGP universal bus (for AGP 2X/4X systems)

HydraVisionT Multiple Monitor Management Software

• Leading-edge RADEONT VE technology of supports traditional CRT monitors, flat panel displays and TVs


• Multi-task with MultiDesk - Create, name, and organize up to nine active multi-monitor desktop applications


• Assign Hot Key shortcuts for the functions you use most often: moving active windows or applications, accessing controls on the fly, or opening applications - with a single keystroke


• Set your applications to automatically open in your preferred position on your monitors using the Application Position Memory feature - eliminating the need to reset your settings every time you turn on your computer


• Read more about HydraVisionT

Excellent 3D Performance

• RADEONT VE, with powerful double data rate memory, delivers excellent 3D performance in its class


• ATI's HYPER ZT technology reduces memory bandwidth consumption resulting in improved performance


• RADEONT VE supports DirectXr 7.0, DirectXr 8.0, and Open GLr allowing for superior graphics and 3D textures that add a more natural look to game environments


• Experience the incredible 3D and DVD of RADEONT VE with flat panel displays to enjoy crisper and clearer images, true flat screen, reduced eyestrain and space savings


• Crisp and clear 32-bit 3D resolutions up to 1900 x 1200

Reliable and Proven Technology

• RADEONT VE employs the award-winning technology from ATI's successful graphics accelerators for consistent, stable performance


• Unified driver architecture allows for the use of one driver set across the RADEONT family of products


• Quality product from the world's largest manufacturer of graphics boards means reduced cost of ownership - less downtime, low power consumption, full technical support, and five-year warranty





Whew! That's a lot of stuff. As you can see, this card is packed with great features, so... let's move onto the benchmarks...