ATI Technologies Inc., a $ 2 billion world leader in visualization technologies which claims to enjoy close to 56% of the world's standalone graphics market share, announced recently that the highly anticipated Radeon X1800 XT, the fastest graphics processor on the planet, is now available for gamers and enthusiasts seeking an unprecedented level of 3D performance and image quality.

The new Radeon X1800 XT, which began shipping on November 3, ahead of schedule, features a radically new ultra-threaded 3D architecture and ATI's revolutionary Avivo™ video and display technology platform is designed to unleash visual and performance possibilities of the highest order.

Speaking to Animation 'xpress, Chris Hook, Head of Public Relations-EMEA, ATI Technologies pointed out that,"This graphics processor is going to kickstart the GP GPU (General Purpose Graphics Processor Unit) age. Applications (Including Graphics Applications) generally run over the CPU (Central Processing Unit) with the Radeon X1800 XT, developers can now write their software so as to make it run directly over the GPU with a better performance factor of more than 10"

Radeon X1800 XT architecture gives competitive gamers and enthusiasts performance in the most demanding, shader-intensive environments, an efficient new memory design and Avivo technologies for visual perfection and advanced video playback.

"Besides speed, the new processor offers incredible efficiency helping enhance image quality, filtering and anti aliasing techniques in real time" he added.

Headquartered in Markham, Ontario (Canada), the technology major has development centres across the world including one in Hyderabad (India). The Hyderabad centre is responsible for the development of a lot of ATI's multimedia chips for the cellphone and hand helds.