Sapphire's addition to the rather secretive Radeon HD 4750 lineup has been spotted in mainland China. This comes weeks after PowerColor's offering hit the scene. Based on the 40 nm RV740 GPU, Sapphire's platinum is "overclocked" from its default specs, while actually using the clock speeds of HD 4770: 750/800 MHz (core/memory). It features a simple cooler with radially-projecting aluminum fins, covered by a plastic shroud. The stream processor configuration however is modified, with the GPU being able to use only 480 stream processors from its kitty. The 128-bit GDDR5 memory interface remains unchanged. On the connectivity front, are one each of DVI-D, D-Sub, and HDMI. The card is CrossfireX capable, and we understand it's able to pair with other RV740 accelerators. It is priced at RMB 699 (US $100).

AMD today announced a new way to help consumers select the PC that best meets their needs. Working with retailers and PC manufactures, VISION Technology from AMD breaks the model in how PC benefits are communicated. Rather than the traditional model, which focuses on the technical specifications of individual hardware components, VISION communicates the value of the whole system and demonstrates the combined processing power of both the CPU and GPU to deliver a superior visual experience to mainstream PC users. It emphasizes how an AMD-based PC is optimized for video, digital media and content creation activities. VISION guides the industry past the era of CPU-centric marketing and describes the PC capabilities in terms of what can be enjoyed on the system - see, share, create. This helps consumers to make better informed buying decisions.

"Today's consumer cares about what they can do with their PC, not what's inside," said Nigel Dessau, CMO of AMD. "They want a rich HD and entertainment experience on their PC, delivered by the combined technology of AMD CPUs and GPUs, without having to understand what gigahertz and gigabytes mean. VISION technology from AMD reflects the maturation of marketing in the PC processing industry and communicates the technology in a more meaningful way."

Here's the first sighting of a fully-assembled upcoming AMD Cypress "Radeon HD 5870" accelerator. This photo-shoot comes a couple of days ahead of its unveiling to the press tomorrow. Here's our very first thoughts on what we see:

• The accelerator is unusually long for a single-GPU one from AMD. The company wouldn't splurge too much on aesthetics (especially lengthening the PCB), if there's no need for it to do so. Apparently there is.
• Connectivity options galore. With two DVI-D, and one each of DisplayPort and HDMI, AMD promises it can handle three display-heads per GPU.
• The components behind the GPU area (exposed) indicates the GPU to be somewhat large
• History tells us that AMD uses a backplate only if it finds a real utility in it, such as cooling additional memory chips or VRM components. This card has a large, almost full-coverage backplate.

What surfaced months ago on sources such as ChipHell, which was then ridiculed for accuracy, has finally taken shape. If anything, Cypress does look like it means business. Expect further details to be out soon. Cypress is codename for AMD's next-generation DirectX 11 compliant graphics processor in the high-performance segment.

* Images removed at request of AMD *

SAPPHIRE Technology has just released a new feature packed mainboard based on the highly acclaimed 785G chipset from AMD, supporting the latest AMD Phenom ll processor families with DDR3 memory and on-board DX10.1 graphics as well as PCI-Express 2.0.

The SAPPHIRE PURE 785G (part number PI-AM3RS785G) is a fully featured mainboard in standard microATX format combining the powerful AMD 785G Chipset and AMD SB710 south bridge. Two DIMM slots support up to 8GB of DDR3 1333/1600 memory and there is an on-board 128MBit DDR3 sideport memory. The integrated high speed 3GB/s SATA hard drive interface caters for up to 6 devices with optional RAID functions, and there is also an Ultra DMA IDE connector. On board features include GigaBit LAN and 6-channel HD Audio with 3D audio capability as well as support for up to 8 USB 2.0/1.1 devices.

Following a recent move to speed-bump the Athlon II X2 with the Athlon II X2 255, AMD is planning a similar update for the Phenom II X2 lineup, with the Phenom II X2 555. This model makes it clear that an increment of 5 in the model number indicates bump in default clock multiplier of 0.5X, while that of 10 indicates a full 1.0x increase. Keeping with this trend, Phenom II X2 555 is clocked at 3.20 GHz (16.0 x 200 MHz), a 100 MHz increase. Based on the 45 nm Callisto core, the processor features a total chip cache of 7 MB (2x 512 KB L2 + 6 MB L3), a 4000 MT/s HyperTransport interface, and an unlocked bus multiplier. Expected to be available later this month, the Phenom II X2 555 could carry a price-tag of 80 EUR.

Here's the first CPU-Z validation of AMD's 12-core Magny Cours processor. Whatever details the existing version of CPU-Z does read, perfectly matches the specifications of the processor sketched out so far. Firstly, it's based on AMD's upcoming socket G3 package that marks Opteron's transition to high-level integration within a single package. With 1,974 pins, socket G3 is able to provide as many as six 16-bit HyperTransport 3.1 links, and four DDR3 memory channels. The package is one of AMD's first multi-chip modules, that houses two six-core dies (dubbed "nodes"), onto one package, and connects the two using a HyperTransport link.

Each node has 6 x 512 KB of L2 cache and 6 MB L3 cache shared between the six cores. Out of 6 MB, 1 MB of the cache is reserved for low-level system operations, namely the HT Assist (probe filter) that aims to lower memory subsystem latencies, reduces queuing delays due to lower HyperTransport traffic overhead, and minimizes probe traffic to increase system bandwidth. The CPU-Z reading of 10 MB total chip L3 cache is spot-on. Also seen on the validation page are details on the reference motherboard, called "AMD Dinar", that uses SR5690 (same chip as 890FX) + SB750 chipset. The CPU-Z validation can be found here.

Foxconn's newest entry to the HTPC crowd is the Cinema. Part of its Digital Life series of lifestyle products, the Foxconn Cinema is a micro-ATX motherboard based on the AMD 785G + SB710 chipset, supporting socket AM2/AM2+/AM3 processors from AMD, with support for DDR2-1066 memory. The ATI Radeon HD 4200 class integrated graphics processor (IGP) makes it capable of smooth full-HD video playback, accelerated by the IGP. The IGP is further aided by 128 MB of Sideport memory.

Video connectivity options include D-Sub, DVI-D and HDMI. On the audio front, apart from the audio that Radeon HD 4200 provides over HDMI, the board's 8-channel audio CODEC supports Dolby Digital and DTS decode. Expansion slots include two PCI-E x1, and one each of PCI-E x16 and PCI. Connectivity options include gigabit Ethernet, USB, and FireWire. The Foxconn Cinema comes in two variants, Deluxe and Premium. The difference between the two is minor - a heatsink over the 5-phase CPU VRM for the Deluxe variant. While the Cinema Deluxe is priced at 11,680 JPY (US $125.5), the Cinema Premium goes for 10800 JPY (US$ 116).

AMD is adding to its value dual-core processor lineup with a new high-speed part. The Athlon II X2 255 (PIB model: ADX255OCK23GQ) is based on the 45 nm Regor die, and packs a clock speed of 3.10 GHz (15.5 x 200 MHz). Each core has a dedicated L2 cache of 1 MB (2 MB total cache), and the TDP is rated at 65W. Based on the socket AM3 package, it supports DDR3 and DDR2 memory standards. Expected to be out soon, the Athlon II X2 255 could displace the Athlon II X2 250, while being priced lower than the Phenom II X2 550.

AMD's next set of consumer desktop platforms, the high-end "Leo" and mainstream "Dorado" are what will bring together AMD's newest system components, including its next round of CPUs, next-generation graphics processors from the DirectX 11 compliant Evergreen family, and the 8-series platform core-logic (chipset) to drive it all. According to latest information pieced together by VR-Zone, AMD's newest chipset will arrive in two rounds of launches, ranging between April and May, 2010.

The two rounds are centric to the platforms they will belong to. On the northbridge front, the enthusiast and high-performance 890FX and 890GX hit retail with products based on it appearing in April 2010, accompanied by the high-end SB850 southbridge. The three will make up the chipset offerings for the Leo platform, which succeeds the current Dragon platform. Following these, the 880G northbridge, accompanied by the SB810 southbridge will make for product launches in May 2010. This pair makes up the mainstream Dorado platform that succeeds the current Pisces platform. The parts will have passed two stages of sampling by this November, and mass production commences in February and April. AMD's newest chipsets are bound to bring in new technologies such as SATA 6 Gb/s, USB 3.0, integrated MAC, and integrated clock generator, along with several other changes.

AMD is planning to create a desktop implementation of its Opteron "Istanbul" monolithic six-core processor. Codenamed "Thuban" (named after a star in the Draco constellation, which means Dragon), the new processor will be based on the socket AM3 package for compatibility with existing and future desktop core logic. It features six cores, 9 MB of total cache (6 x 512 KB L2 + 6 MB L3). Thuban is aimed to make for AMD's high-end desktop processor, as the company prepares to face competition from a near-complete lineup of processors based on the Nehalem/Westmere architectures from Intel. It is expected to be the posterboy for AMD's "Leo" high-end consumer desktop platform that succeeds its current Dragon platform.

Some of the key components that make up AMD Leo platform are the upcoming AMD 890FX and 890GX chipset, companion SB800 series southbridge chips, and members of AMD's Evergreen family of DirectX 11 compliant graphics processors. On the software front, AMD will give its Fusion and Overdrive utilities some big updates. The SB800 series southbridge chips will feature native support for SATA 6 Gb/s and USB 3.0; connectivity is further enhanced by integrated Broadcom MAC Ethernet interfaces. While the Leo platform is expected to launch almost simultaneously with the 8-series chipsets, the six-core Thuban processor on the other hand comes later. It is due only in Q3 2010. Thuban will have come out an year after its enterprise implementation in the form of Opteron "Istanbul".

AMD is updating its Phenom II X3 triple-core processor lineup with the Phenom II X3 740 (PIB model: HDZ740WFK3DGI). With a clock speed of 3.00 GHz, the X3 740 succeeds the X3 720, although a Black Edition branding is expected, it can not be confirmed right now. Based on the 45 nm Heka core, the X3 740 features a total cache of 7.5 MB (3x 512 KB L2 + 6 MB L3). It features a bus multiplier of 15.0x which could be unlocked if it indeed is a Black Edition chip. It has a rated TDP of 95W. Following its launch tentatively in late September, it could end up being priced in the $130~$150 range, like its predecessor when it first hit shelves.

AMD today announced the immediate availability of the new Six-Core AMD Opteron EE processor at 40W ACP. Delivering up to 31 percent higher performance-per-watt over standard Quad-Core AMD Opteron processors, the Six-Core AMD Opteron EE processor is tailored to meet the demands of customers who need strong performance, but must trim out every watt possible in a server system and reduce the datacenter's power draw.

The latest in AMD's almost deliberate series of processors that unlock into powerful / more capable processors is the Athlon II X4. Some of the earliest batches of these sub-$150 quad-core processors can be converted to more powerful Phenom II X4 chips using a simple trick. When unlocked, the chip will be equipped with 6 MB L3 cache. Supposed to have been based on the "Propus" core that physically lack a L3 cache, apparently early batches continue to use the "Deneb" core with L3 cache locked (using moist threads instead of a padlock). Currently there's no information as to which specific batches of Athlon II X4 620 and Athlon II X4 630 work. The trick works on some motherboards that support the Advanced Clock Calibration (ACC) feature. Simply set the ACC option in the BIOS setup to "Auto" from its default value of "Disabled", and you're done.

Cut-throat competition between major graphics processor vendors had to happen in the worst of times as far as the economic weather goes. The latest papers by Jon Peddie Research (JPR) covering the state of graphics add-in board market reveals that Q2 2009 has been a better quarter than Q1, but still worse compared to last year. This quarter, around 16.81 million units were shipped, which is a welcome 3 percent increase over the previous quarter (16.32 units), while compared to Q2 2008, shipments are down 15 percent. In contrast, the integrated graphics (IGP) market saw a 4 percent increase compared to last year.

One of the factors that could have contributed to the slump, according to JPR, is the replenishment of inventories in Q2, which overshadowed its digestion (sales). As for gainers and losers, AMD gained a handy 4 percent of market-share, while NVIDIA lost just that amount. AMD stands at 35 percent, with NVIDIA at 64 percent, against last quarter's 31 and 68 percent respectively. JPR however notes that "despite its renewed competitiveness, however, AMD hadn't yet seen a sustained growth in market share, as NVIDIA adamantly refused to give up any volume, aggressively cutting prices as necessary to avoid a loss in share," so in essence, NVIDIA's move to introduce drastic price cuts for some mid-thru-high end products seems to have worked in its favour. Hopefully H2 2009 looks better under JPR's watchglass, as new product launches are definitely indicated, and of course, there's the holiday shopping season incoming.

Earlier slated coarsely for 2010, AMD fine-tuned the expected release time-frame of its 12-core "Magny-Cours" Opteron processors to be within Q1 2010. The company seems to be ready with the processors, and has demonstrated a 4 socket, 48 core machine based on these processors. Magny Cours holds symbolism in being one of the last processor designs by AMD before it moves over to "Bulldozer", the next processor design by AMD built from ground-up. Its release will provide competition to Intel's multi-core processors available at that point.

AMD's Pat Conway at the IEEE Hot Chips 21 conference presented the Magny-Cours design that include several key design changes that boost parallelism and efficiency in a high-density computing environment. Key features include: Move to socket G34 (from socket-F), 12-cores, use of a multi-chip module (MCM) package to house two 6-core dies (nodes), quad-channel DDR3 memory interface, and HyperTransport 3 6.4 GT/s with redesigned multi-node topologies. Let's put some of these under the watch-glass.

According to a fresh report by Donanim Haber, AMD's next performance graphics accelerator, the Radeon HD 5870, codenamed "Cypress" is expected to be aggressively priced, at US $299. At that price, it intends to be highly competitive against GeForce GTX 285 from NVIDIA. The secret-sauce behind the price could be the 40 nm fab process on which the GPU is being built, which allows upping transistor counts while maintaining significantly smaller die-sizes compared to 55 nm.

There is a great deal of uncertainty surrounding the specifications of the GPU, including what level of performance with existing application could it end up offering. Some sources, such as ChipHell, which are one of the first to leak pictures of components related to various Evergreen family products claim the Cypress GPU to have an almost 100% increase in stream processor counts compared to RV770, while others remain conservative expecting it to be around 50%. With this kind of a pricing, Cypress could trigger market-wide changes in GPU pricing, if it ends up with a good price/performance ratio at $299.

Mushkin today announced four dual-channel DDR3 memory kits it claims to be best suited for the AMD AM3 socket processors. All of these are specified to run at PC3-12800 (DDR3 1600 MHz), and consist of two 2 GB modules. The changes kick in, in the form of memory timings and recommended vDIMM voltages. Says Mushkin: "Our Engineers have risen to the challenge of new technological advancements and set themselves upon our Dual Channel technology. The result thus far has been 4 exemplary new memory kits for the DDR3-Dual Channel segment that, because of diverse adjustments, are fine-tuned for the AM3 platform."

Product details, as listed by Mushkin are as follows:

• 996657AM3 - XP3-12800 4096MB Dual Channel Kit CL 7-7-7-20 1.85V-1.95V
• 996601AM3 - XP3-12800 4096MB Dual Channel Kit CL 7-7-6-18 1.85V-1.95V
• 996659AM3 - XP3-12800 4096MB Dual Channel Kit CL 9-9-9-27 1.65V-1.70V
• 996629AM3 - XP3-12800 4096MB Dual Channel Kit CL 8-8-8-24 1.80V-1.90V

All four kits are available now, at standard market prices. Mushkin says that it's working on even more memory kits optimized for the AM3 platform.

In a release to its AIB partners, AMD listed out the key features of its high performance GPU in the Evergreen family, codenamed "Cypress". While not getting into the GPU specifications, it lists out the key technologies the GPUs support. It comes as no surprise that AMD will name Cypress-XT and Cypress-Pro as Radeon HD 5870 and Radeon HD 5850, a model number scheme that's been running for the past two generations. While product launches, tentatively on September 22, and (p)reviews keep us busy in September, retail availability can be expected only in October, just in time for that of Windows 7.

• 1GB GDDR5 memory
• ATI Eyefinity technology with support for up to three displays
• ATI Stream technology
• Designed for DirectCompute 5.0 and OpenCL
• Accelerated Video Transcoding (AVT)
• Compliant with DirectX 11 and earlier revisions,supports OpenGL 3.1
• ATI CrossFireX multi-GPU support for highly scalable performance
• ATI Avivo HD video and display technology
• Dynamic power management with ATI PowerPlay technology
• 2x DL-DVI, DisplayPort, HDMI
• PCI Express 2.0 interface

AMD wants to give its DirectX 11 compliant GPU lineup a gala unveiling on September 10. Codemaned "Evergreen", the family consists of an entire range of GPUs, catering to nearly all market segments. In the run-up to September 10, AMD EMEA and APAC will hold a series of briefings with its partners and/or sections of the media. It will be on the 10th, when a lot of things will go public.

Evergreen's unveiling will take place at the USS Hornet, a decommissioned US Navy aircraft-carrier turned heritage museum. The location and timing of the event holds symbolism with the Patriots & Heroes Week (September 5~11th). As for what happens after the 10th, it is indicated that performance evaluations, (p)reviews, could start pouring in two weeks later (around September 24). Stores will have stocked these graphics cards as they deck up shelves with Windows 7 copies.

Remember this backroom photoshoot by our friends at Legit Reviews, where AMD refused to let the the DirectX 11 accelerator face the camera? A photographer in China was luckier, and grabbed three pictures of the rest of the accelerator, intact. As it turns out, the card is based on AMD's next generation successor to the 40 nm RV740, codenamed "Juniper". The pictures reveal quite a bit about the card, which inherits quite some of its design from the Radeon HD 4770.

The cooler resembles the one found on Radeon HD 4770 (reference), and Radeon HD 3870, albeit opaque black. With the 40 nm GPU running presumably cool, its air vent on the rear panel is reduced in size, and makes way for an arsenal of connectivity that includes two DVI-D connectors, and one each of HDMI and DisplayPort, just as pictured earlier. The PCB is black in color, holds memory on either sides. The card draws its power from one 6-pin PCI-E power connector. Expect a lot more about this as we head toward September 10, when AMD plans to unveil its next-generation GPU technology. Juniper is part of AMD's "Evergreen" family of DirectX 11 compliant GPUs.

Following the likes of PowerColor and HIS, Sapphire, one of AMD's largest AIB partners, is preparing a custom-design Radeon HD 4770 accelerator. Highlights of this card are strictly confined to its design and cooling, not that it has a brighter specs sheet compared to the reference design. It uses a blue colored PCB with a heat-spreader over the card's VRM area, and the GPU is cooled by an Accelero L2 variant originally made by Arctic Cooling. Display outputs include DVI-D, D-Sub, and HDMI. Specifications-wise, the accelerator sticks to AMD reference clock speeds of 750/800 MHz (core/memory), and sports 512 MB of GDDR5 memory across a 128-bit interface. Again, expect standard pricing on this one.

Following custom-design product launches from the likes of PowerColor, HIS decided to roll out one of its own. Named the HIS HD 4770 iCooler III, the color scheme is trademark HIS shade of blue with black. The company custom-designed both the PCB and the cooler. Under the black plastic shroud is what appears to be an aluminum heatsink with radially-projecting fins, nested into which, is the fan.

Despite all this, the clock speeds remain reference 750 MHz (core) and 800 MHz (memory). It holds 512 MB of GDDR5 memory across a 128-bit wide interface. Outputs are care of DVI-D, D-Sub, and HDMI with 7.1 channel audio. Expect a fairly standard price when this comes out.

AMD today announced that according to the latest industry data, notebook manufacturers have chosen ATI Mobility Radeon Premium graphics processors to drive more than half of today's discrete graphics notebooks. The data for mobile discrete graphics reveals a 36.5% market share gain, and 87.27% more units sold quarter-over-quarter through the first six months of 2009. AMD now holds the "Number 1" position with an overall 53% mobile discrete market share. The incredible momentum behind ATI Mobility Radeon Premium graphics processors is a result of:

• Advanced performance, leading features, and innovative technology delivered by the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4000 series of graphics processors, such as ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4530 and ATI Mobility Radeon 4670, including support for the latest Microsoft DirectX 10.1 enabling a home theater-quality HD multimedia experience, and an energy-efficient design for long battery life at work, at home or at play
• With well over 200 design wins of current and future commitments from leading manufacturers worldwide, customer adoption of the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4000 series of graphics processors has increased across a wide range of mobile discrete notebook segments, including the HP Pavilion dv6T, Alienware M17, Acer Aspire 5739G, Toshiba Satellite M500, Sony VAIO FW Series, Samsung R522, Asus W90Vp-X1, MSI GX623 and Dell Studio 15 -- a balanced portfolio of AMD- and competitor-based notebook platforms
• An augmented presence in retail, including Best Buy Canada and Future Shop with a focus on the HP Pavilion dv6 Artist Edition Entertainment Notebook PC featuring AMD Turion Ultra X2 Dual-Core Mobile Processor and ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4650 graphics

VERTEX3D, a new expected brand of AMD graphics card, today announced the partnership with leading cooling solution provider, ARCTIC COOLING, ready to bring a premium cooling solution of HD4870 series, provides a perfect combination of ultimate gaming performance and the coolest operating environment.

VTX3D HD4870 clocks in with a 770MHz core speed and 900MHz of memory speed that provides a superior gaming performance. In addition, VTX3D HD4870 is equipped with ARCTIC COOLING Accelero TWIN TURBO Pro cooling solution, with dual 92mm fans to increase air flow at low fan speed and 4 heatpipes to reinforce its cooling performance. VTX3D HD4870 cooling solution offers a surprisingly quiet operation for gamers to immerse themselves in the gaming world.

AMD today made ATI Catalyst 9.8 driver suite available to the masses through its proper channel of posting it on the AMD Game portal, complete with related documentation. The company released the software last friday to readers of the company blog, just so it could loosely coincide with the bulk of activity during Quakecon 2009, when the company also carried out a series of private demonstrations of its upcoming DirectX 11 compliant graphics hardware to sections of the media.

Catalyst 9.8 has an unusually long changelog this time around, which can be attributed to two important changes: a series of CrossFireX performance enhancements that are game-specific, and the inclusion of OpenGL 3.1 support.