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| Release date | 2002–2005 |
|---|---|
| Codename | Khan |
| Architecture | Radeon R300 |
| Transistors | 107M 150nm (R300) 117M 150nm (R350) 117M 150nm (R360) 76M 130nm (RV350) 76M 130nm (RV360) 76M 130nm (RV380) 107M 110nm (RV370) |
| Cards | |
| Entry-level | 9550, X300, X1050 |
| Mid-range | 9500, 9600, X550, X600 |
| High-end | 9700 |
| Enthusiast | 9800 |
| API support | |
| DirectX | Direct3D 9.0 Shader Model 2.0 |
| OpenGL | OpenGL 2.0 |
| History | |
| Predecessor | Radeon 8000 series Radeon 9000 series |
| Successor | Radeon X700 series Radeon X800 series |
| Support status | |
| Unsupported | |
The R300 GPU, introduced in August 2002 and developed by ATI Technologies, is its third generation of GPU used in Radeon graphics cards. This GPU features 3D acceleration based upon Direct3D 9.0 and OpenGL 2.0, a major improvement in features and performance compared to the preceding R200 design. R300 was the first fully Direct3D 9-capable consumer graphics chip. The processors also include 2D GUI acceleration, video acceleration, and multiple display outputs.
The first graphics cards using the R300 to be released were the Radeon 9700. It was the first time that ATI marketed its GPU as a Visual Processing Unit (VPU). R300 and its derivatives would form the basis for ATI's consumer and professional product lines for over 3 years.
The integrated graphics processor based upon R300 is the Xpress 200.