ATI, graphics business unit of Advanced Micro Devices, reportedly plans to formally launch its first second-generation DirectX 11 graphics processing units (GPUs) sometimes in the second half of October, 2010. The new lineup is projected to bring new performance heights to the high-end product segment, but it is not clear whether there will be sufficient amount of the new ATI Radeon HD 6000-series graphics processors this calendar year.

AMD's graphics unit reportedly set the launch window for the next-generation graphics processors for premium segment to 15 - 29 of October, 2010, according to Heise.de web-site that cites "reliable corporate sources". This is the second or the third confirmation about ATI's intention to release the code-named Southern Islands chips for performance-demanding applications in Q4 2010.