AMD/ATI combination is not dying... Instead you must understand that the original design of the R600 is the effort of ATI, but it is not assisted with the AMD new 65nm manufacturing process. Even the NVIDIA also have the design problems..
see： http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=38855

It is not easy to become a top microprocessor engineer, and a successful design of the microprocessor and GPU is solely a team effort, not a personal efforts. Even Intel have their wrong design decision by adopting the RDRAM　solution which is prove RDRAM is a wrong move (not viable) before 2010.

News: http://techreport.com/onearticle.x/12231   
==>>　why RD600 need to be redesigned.

In my personal opinions. As the high end motherboard already have a very high end integrated sound card. Why we need to spend additional $$ for buying an additional sound card unless we are those who are in the music industry that require to connect the PC into many hardware peripherals.

I believe that many additional music instruments already got USB connectivity, am i right?

-Peter-

RD600 is a hot and a huge power consuming chip. (80nm)
wait for the RD650.. (the redesigned RD600 core) at 65nm.


-Peter-

http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=38837

It is now 65nm and redesigned and termed as RD650. ;p

COOL...

but again it is causing a delay..

As the Direct X 10 games are still under development, so my advice is stay with the current Direct X 9 card, as maybe there will be so many hardware bugs when playing with the Direct X 10.X games that need to resolved. So, the investment with High End card should be some times at 2008. (For me)
Maybe these are the key reasons AMD wants to delay it.. so that it can be better and less buggies.

-peter

According the theinq.net, http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=38837

R600 got heat and huge power consumption because it is manufactured under a 80nm manufacturing process, and therefore it will be replace by R650 core under 65nm manufacturing technology. Therefore the whole core need to redesigned and causing a delay.

-Peter-

Dear pal, the introduction of DDR3 will be some times in year 2008, prior by Intel. As in the year 2007, AMD is still in the process of negotiating the DDR3 standardization with JEDEC, as well as Intel.

Intel is always faster than AMD in terms of changing 1 manufacturing process to another manufacturing process, as well as adopting the new memory standard.

-Peter-

Windows VISTA basically got 2 major platform:
1. 32 bits Windows VISTA (x86)
2. 64 bits Windows VISTA (x64)

As the 64bits software under Windows VISTA environment is not yet popularized, I am wondering when the industry will widely developing 64bits software, and when the 64 bits Windows been popularized?

64 bits OS environment offer better security as compared to traditional 32 OS environment, but the problems are:
1. For gamers, still stay on the current Windows XP SP2 for widely game compatibilities.
2. For old office, still stay on Windows XP SP2, for support for the old accessories (scanners, printer, and other add-on peripherals)

For new system installer, i would recommend the Windows VISTA, because of the technology is keep on staying ahead.

The road to 64 bits is tough, Microsoft is implementing the close source Windows OS development, which is contraly to LINUX open source software development, hence restricting the development of the software under 64bits environment.


visit: www.start64.com

Transition to a 45nm is still possesses certain technical issues. according to TSMC. (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturer Corporation)

I have saw some of the internet news said that the AMD is still on the way of finalizing the DDR3 Standard with JEDEC, until 2008 maybe there will be a slow transition to DDR3. But traditionally, I think AMD will still adopting DDR2 for some times. Maybe Intel will be still stay ahead from AMD by introducing the 1st DDR3 Chipset.

   Most of the ATI graphic cards already utilizing the GDDR3 Technology, TOP ATI Graphic Card is utilizing GDDR4 Technology.

(So the year 2007 is actually a transitional period)