We expected to see the R600 core up and ready by the end of the calendar year but it looks like we are out of luck this time. The acquisition of ATI made things and people a little bit insecure and out of focus, so the chip won't be read for December as originally planned. We are sure that R600 team has got some problems as well but it looks like they can handle it but with a delay of course. It looks like NVIDIA's G80 core will be out before but the R600 chip still looks more attractive. NVIDIA might have up to three months lead with its new high-end product and this is a lot. Although it remains to be seen when NVIDIA will be lauching their new G80 based graphics card to the public. - The Inquirer

ATI's upcoming R600 chip delayed until next year

Until then, ATI has to hold the market attention with sub $399, R580+ based Radeon X1950 XTX card. With the Radeon X1950 PRO around the corner, ATI is just refreshing it products range to a next level. It doesn't sounds good for ATI in highend market though. In the end all depends on what the new G80 chip will be capable of and how long ATI will take to release a counter action. As the specifications on the G80 core from NVIDIA are still not really know and much speculated, it really is hard to tell what the future will bring. But, yeah exciting it will be for sure.