Sapphire Technology Limited, the leading supplier of ATI-powered graphics accelerators, has just announced a new series of graphics products ideal for entry level systems and for users looking for cost effective upgrades from integrated graphics to discrete graphics.

Sapphire’s Radeon X550 series will represent affordable graphics upgrades with industry-leading performance, technology and software support. Sapphire’s Radeon X550 family operates on the PCI Express bus, the emerging PC industry standard for delivering maximum real-time performance for graphics-intensive software applications.

The Sapphire Radeon X550 series operates with a standard core clock speed of 400MHz and memory speeds of 500MHz. They will feature both 64-bit and 128-bit Memory Interface which provides significant performance advantages over competitor’s 32/64-bit solutions. Several models will be available from launch offering a choice of memory configurations with 128 or 256MB of memory, including versions with enhanced memory specifications suitable for overclocking and with a choice of conventional fan or fully passive cooling.

Dual monitor operation is supported, and the provision of both VGA and Video-Out connectors allows simple connection to analogue CRTs, TFTs and TVs. Maximum 3D resolution for monitor output is 2048x1536 @ 85Hz and for TV out is 1024x768.

Sapphire’s Radeon X550 fully supports Microsoft DirectX 9 and incorporates ATI’s SmartShader and SmoothVision technologies for the better enjoyment of top gaming titles, digital photography, video editing and web surfing. Sapphire’s Radeon X550 series delivers the best graphics and video at its price point making it the perfect solution for entry level Microsoft Media Center Edition systems.

For more details please visit http://www.sapphiretech.com

Summary

Chip set - X550
Engine clock - 400MHz
Memory clock - 500MHz
Memory interface - 128 / 64bit
Memory Support - 128 / 256 MB
Bus Interface - PCI - Express
Variable Display Outputs - VGA + TV out + DVI
Max 3D resolution - 2048 x 1536 @ 85Hz (VGA) / 1024 x 768 (TV out)

Hardware Features

DirectX® 9
SmartShaderTM 2.0
SmoothVisionTM 2.1
FullstreamTM

Software Feature - HydravisionTM