# ATI CW16800-B

> gpu manufactured by ATI in 1987

**Wikidata**: [Q126722145](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q126722145)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ati-cw16800-b

## Summary
The ATI CW16800-B is a graphics processing unit (GPU) manufactured by ATI Technologies in 1987. It represents an early implementation of a specialized electronic circuit designed to function as a graphics accelerator, utilizing an 800 nm lithography fabrication process.

## Key Facts
- **Inception Date:** The entity was established on March 23, 1987.
- **Manufacturer:** Produced by ATI Technologies.
- **Classification:** It is an instance of a graphics processing unit (GPU).
- **Fabrication Technology:** Built using an 800 nm lithography process.
- **Physical Dimensions:** The unit has a surface area of 90 square millimetres.
- **Primary Function:** Acts as a graphics accelerator for rendering images and video.
- **Source Reference:** Detailed specifications are documented at https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/ati-cw16800-b.g842 (English).

## FAQs
**What are the physical and manufacturing specifications of the ATI CW16800-B?**
The chip was fabricated using an 800 nm lithography process and occupies a surface area of 90 square millimetres. It was released by ATI Technologies on March 23, 1987, marking its entry into the market as a specialized graphics circuit.

**Who created the ATI CW16800-B and what is its primary role?**
ATI Technologies manufactured this unit to serve as a graphics accelerator. As a type of specialized electronic circuit, it is designed to offload complex graphical calculations from a main processor to improve rendering performance.

**Where can I find official documentation or specifications for this GPU?**
Technical details and specifications for the ATI CW16800-B are available via the TechPowerUp GPU database. The specific record for this model is located at the URL https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/ati-cw16800-b.g842 and is presented in English.

## Why It Matters
The ATI CW16800-B is significant as a historical artifact in the evolution of computer graphics hardware, representing the state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities of 1987. By utilizing an 800 nm process, it demonstrates the early scale of integration achieved by ATI Technologies before the industry moved to smaller nanometer nodes. Its existence as a dedicated graphics accelerator highlights the early recognition that specialized circuits were necessary to handle the increasing demands of visual computing, paving the way for modern GPUs.

## Notable For
- **Early Manufacturing Era:** One of the GPUs produced during the late 1980s, specifically in 1987.
- **Specific Fabrication Node:** Utilizes an 800 nm lithography process, a standard for its time.
- **Compact Footprint:** Features a die area of exactly 90 square millimetres.
- **ATI Heritage:** Represents the early product portfolio of ATI Technologies before its acquisition by AMD.
- **Specialized Architecture:** Designed specifically as a graphics accelerator rather than a general-purpose processor.

## Body

### Identity and Classification
The ATI CW16800-B is definitively classified as a graphics processing unit (GPU). It functions as a specialized electronic circuit intended to accelerate the creation and rendering of visual data. As a graphics accelerator, it operates as a coprocessor, working in conjunction with a computer's central processing unit to handle intensive graphical tasks. This specific instance falls under the broader category of vector processors, which are architected to perform operations on arrays of data simultaneously.

### Manufacturing and Physical Specifications
Produced by ATI Technologies, the CW16800-B was introduced on March 23, 1987. The physical construction of the chip relies on an 800 nm lithography process, which was a prevailing technology for semiconductor manufacturing during that period. The total surface area of the silicon die is measured at 90 square millimetres. These specifications define the physical constraints and capabilities of the hardware as it was originally engineered.

### Historical Context and Documentation
The release of the ATI CW16800-B in 1987 places it in the early era of dedicated graphics hardware. While later GPUs like NVIDIA's GeForce (1999) and AMD's Radeon (2000) would define subsequent generations, this unit represents the foundational work of ATI Technologies. Current technical records for this specific model are maintained in the TechPowerUp GPU database, accessible via the English language entry at https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/ati-cw16800-b.g842. This documentation serves as the primary source for verifying its manufacturing date, physical dimensions, and process technology.