ATI Technologies has launched its next-generation X800 graphics processor, giving gamers and PC enthusiasts another choice for advanced PC graphics technology.

The Radeon X800 chip is available in two graphics cards, the high-end Radeon X800 XT Platinum and the Radeon X800 Pro. The X800 XT Platinum is scheduled to ship later in May for a suggested retail price of $499, and the X800 Pro is available now from ATI and through retailers for a suggested retail price of $399.

The new graphics cards will also support GDDR3 (graphics double data rate 3) memory and offer a greater number of pixel pipelines and faster clock rates than their predecessors, according to ATI. The X800 XT Platinum runs at 520MHz and offers 16 pixel pipelines, while the X800 Pro runs at 475MHz and offers 12 pixel pipelines.

Most PC users don't require the high-end graphics performance provided by ATI's X800 chips and rival Nvidia's new GeForce 6800 chips. But the gaming community is a highly influential group of PC users, and both PC and graphics processor companies compete vigorously for market share within that group.

This high-end technology also over time filters down into more affordable graphics cards that are bundled with mid-tier and high-end consumer desktop PCs. Consumers who are not as familiar with graphics technology often seek out the advice of friends within the PC gaming community when making a decision about which graphics card to purchase