ATI decided to focus its May launch on the 512 MB DDR 3 cards rather than 1024 MB GDDR4. This is the key message from the new revamped R600 launch schedule.
We don’t know what went wrong with the GDDR 4 1024 MB card but it caused an additional delay. We are sure that 1024 GDDR4 memory at 2200 MHz is definitely not cheap stuff.
R600 512 MB GDDR3 version is now the launch version and its availability is expected at launch time, in early May. As ATI had history with shipping schedule nothing is fixed until the fat lady sings.
R600 DDR4 1024 MB cards are now scheduled for middle of May with sample available in early May. End users will be able to grab some by middle of May.
We are talking about 102-B007 card codenamed Dragonshead2 as this GDDR 4 1024 is a delayed one. Some partners will have it but DAAMIT it’s not the primary goal to have this one first anymore.