ATI's new Radeon X1900 XT 256MB is designed to fit into the $300 video card segment which is bound by the Radeon X1900 GT on the lower end and the Radeon X1900 XT 512MB on the upper end. The only performance related change compared to the Radeon X1900 XT with 512MB is just the installed memory, all other features remained the same. That means that the 256MB version of the Radeon X1900 XT is build around the same R580 core which features 48 pixel shaders and comes clocked at 625MHz. Just as you might have figured, the Radeon X1900 XT 256MB looks exactly like any other Radeon X1900 XTX card, except that there is a different Ruby image on the cooler. - techPowerUp!

ATI Radeon X1900 XT 256MB PCI Express Review

When looking further in detail, we notice that the PCB number is exactly the same like on the Radeon X1900 XTX. The only major change on the PCB is the use of only 256MB memory with chips rated at 1.2ns. On the XTX you got a total of 512MB memory rated at 1.1ns, which are just a little bit faster. When running normal applications, the Radeon X1900 XT will run at 500MHz core and 1200MHz memory, with reduced voltages. Once you start a full screen 3D application, the nominal clocks of 625MHz core and 1450MHz memory speed. At the same time the voltages are climbing a bit to support these clock speeds.

While checking the overclocking ability, we gotten a maximum overclock of 675 MHz on the GPU and 1548MHz on the memory is nothing spectacular. It's still nice to get free performance. An aftermarket cooler is a good investment if you are looking into overclocking. Reducing the memory size to bring down the cost of the card seems to be a good move. Throughout all benchmarks the card still stay well withing acceptable frame rate ranges. However, if you plan on using this card at high resolutions you are better off getting a 512MB card since then the memory limit will show up.

I would have loved it if ATI used their new cooler which is used on the Radeon X1950, because it is so much quieter. Even with the stock cooler some nice overclocking is possible, especially on the GPU bringing it on Radeon X1900 XTX levels or even beyond it. The memory does not overclock so much because a lower speed grade of memory is used. With a price tag of $300 this card will sure attract many users to choose the Radeon X1900 XT 256MB instead of the GT which is only about $30 less expensive.