SPARKLE Computer Co., Ltd., today proudly launched the SPARKLE GeForce 7900 GS 256MB/512MB GDDR3 HDMI graphics cards, a High Definition multimedia VGA solution with support for HDMI and HDCP. Based on NVIDIA's award-winning GeForce 7 GPU architecture, SPARKLE GeForce 7900 GS 256MB/512MB GDDR3 HDMI graphics cards are designed for extreme HD gaming and deliver ultra-realistic gaming experiences and unparalleled image quality at resolutions of up to 2560x1600. 20 Pixels rendering pipelines, 450MHz core speed, 256-bit memory interface and unbelievable fast 1320MHz 256MB/512MB GDDR3 memory enable blazing graphics performance with maximum quality.

Intel has confirmed that they formed the "Visual computing group" which shall be the future of computing for "high-throughput workloads". Intel is already looking to hire graphic engineers for this purpose. Together this might suggest Intel is indeed going to create chips for add on cards once again.
Even though the high end market is quite small compared to on board graphic processors it still has a value of $5 billion a quarter, which is a lot, even for a giant like Intel. Having their own high end GPU would also give them a chance to strengthen their grip on the console market.
Intel did not comment on these speculations.

Taipei, Taiwan, January 22, 2007 - To accommodate the increasing demand on better graphic performance for mobile computing, ASUS presents the A8Jr notebook series incorporated with the latest visual processing capabilities. The slim and lightweight A8Jr will be based on Intel's Core2 Duo processor and will be the world's first notebook series to utilize ATI's Mobility Radeon X2300 GPU for stunning and crisp graphics.

"There is an ever-increasing demand for higher graphic processing power and crisper graphics for entertainment and applications alike," says David Cummings, director of marketing, Graphics Products Group, AMD. "Our answer to that demand is the X2300 GPU. This GPU utilizes patented technology to increase processing power and provide the user with smooth, realistic hi-resolution graphics."

Sapphire Technology, has just introduced two new families to its comprehensive product line: the SAPPHIRE X1550 and SAPPHIRE X1050 Series of video cards. The SAPPHIRE X1550 Series is a range of cost effective cards featuring 4 pixel shader units, and operating with a core clock speed of 550MHz and a Memory clock speed of 800MHz. Members of this Series include versions equipped with 256MB of 64-bit DDR2 memory including versions with support for HyperMemory, and output options include VGA, TV-Out, and DVI-I. The SAPPHIRE X1050 Series is a new entry level range with 4 pixel shader units and a core clock speed of 400MHz. The Series offers several performance options providing a choice of active or passive cooling and different memory configurations, including 128MB 64-bit DDR2 666MHz with active cooling, 256MB 128-bit DDR 400MHz with passive cooling, and 256MB 128-bit DDR2 666MHz with active cooling. All models provide VGA, TV-Out and DVI-I. The SAPPHIRE X1550 Series and SAPPHIRE X1050 Series are scheduled to ship from retailers and system integrators worldwide from January 17th, 2007.

Munich, Germany - January 19, 2007 - EVGA, a leading provider of performance computing hardware, today announced the release of their EVGA e-GeForce 8800 GTX "BlackPeral" (P/N: 768-P2-E838-AR) NVIDIA technology-based 3D processor card. The new EVGA e-GeForce 8800 GTX "BlackPeral", in addition to EVGA's water cooling, is spec'd at an amaz-ing 626 MHz core clock with 2.0 GHz memory clock. The new graphics card will be avail-able at online retailers at a suggested retail price of € 799.

HIS introduced today the X1050 and X1550 series, which integrate with Windows Vista to create a premium visual experience and allow value users to get more enjoyment out of movies, games and digital applications. Powered by ATI Radeon X1050 GPU, HIS X1050 series is Vista Premium Certified and fully support Microsoft's new 3D based operating system. The HIS X1050 series is available in PCI-e version only with up to 400/500 MHz core/memory clock and up to 256MB/128Bit GDDR2, completely silent (0dB) by means of heatsink cooling. With the HyperMemory 2 technology, it can share system memory to provide up to 512MB graphics memory. The latest HIS X1550 series includes the PCI-Express x16 version, AGP 8X version, PCI-Express x1 version and PCI version, running at 550/800MHz core/memory clock and up to 256MB/128Bit GDDR2. The PCI-Express x16 versions are all CrossFire ready for improving performance if necessary. HIS X1050 & X1550 will be available on 26th Jan 2007.

TUL Corporation, today announced the PowerColor X1550 in PCI-E, AGP and Silent Cooling System (SCS) variations. These models replace the X1300 brand in an effort to re-emphasize the complete support of AMD/ATI-based graphic cards for Windows Vista platform; particularly for the entry level segment. PowerColor's X1550 comes with a factory overclocked core of 600MHz, with memory speed of 400MHz (800MHz effective) and 256MB of DDR2 RAM. As with the entire X1K series, PowerColor X1550 is CrossFire ready and supports DirectX 9c, Open GL 2.0 and Shader Model 3.0; enabling anti-aliasing with HDR. Click here to read the full story.

GECUBE today announced shipping of its latest series of Low Profile Dual HDMI TV X1650XT cards with cost effective native HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) implementation as a requirement for Blu-ray and HD DVD applications for direct video connection to two large HDMI TV to supports 1080p High Definition Video. GECUBE HV1650XT Low Profile series are made using 90nm process technology and support Shader Model 3.0, Avivo technology, the Crossfire platform, and Catalyst drivers. All HV1650XT cards come with 256MB GDDR3 128-bit high speed memory.

HIS has taken the 80nm core in the X1650XT, placed an IceQ Turbo cooler on top, and factory overclocked it to 630MHz core and 1.46GHz memory. It comes with up to 512MB of 128 bit GDDR3, 24 pixel pipelines. It also supports AVIVO, simultaneous AntiAliasing and HDR lighting, and Shader Model 3, all very nice features for anyone looking to upgrade an old AGP based computer.

Sapphire Technology showed for the first time its SAPPHIRE X1950 PRO DUAL graphics card at this year's CES. The SAPPHIRE X1950 PRO DUAL brings two X1950 Pro GPUs on a single card. It performs as fast as the ATI CrossFire dual GPU systems, but the difference lies in that the card connects via a single PCI-Express x16 slot, bringing DUAL GPU performance to mainboards with only one PCI-Express connector. The SAPPHIRE X1950 PRO DUAL features 1GB GDDR3 memory with both cores operating at clock speeds of 580MHz and memory frequences of 1400MHz. The SAPPHIRE X1950 PRO series natively supports HDCP and features the highly acclaimed ATI Avivo High Definition video and display technology.

Further testing by Intel and Microsoft has found that integrated graphics can run the Vista Aero interface just fine. It may not be the best choice for laptop users (the same ones using these integrated graphics chipsets, as it drains laptop batteries very quickly. However, Aero Glass sure does look pretty, which matters to some people more than battery life.

AMD today unveiled the ATI TV Wonder Digital Cable Tuner - the industry's first and only device that enables users to watch and record premium HD digital cable content, such as HD ESPN and HD HBO, on their PCs. The ATI TV Wonder Digital Cable Tuner turns a PC into a Personal Video Recorder (PVR) with easy to use Microsoft Windows Vista Media Center menus and interfaces. It is scheduled to be available starting January 30, 2007 inside desktop and notebook PCs from the industry's top PC manufacturers.

ASUS has announced that it is planning a dedicated external graphics card system designed for notebook users, named the XG Station, which should allow users to experience high end graphics power to match desktops. The dock connects to the ExpressCard interface using an adaptor, meaning it can be easily unplugged from the system if it needs to be moved. ASUS has revealed it will work with any notebook featuring the ExpressCard system, which provides an equivalent to the PCI Express X16 slots desktops use. The XG Station itself features a PCI Express slot and is capable of running AMD (ATI), NVIDIA and Matrox graphics cards.

Although all the rumour, AMD plans to release the Radeon X1950GT graphics card. However, AMD recently added a restriction to the release, saying that certain partners within certain area would only be supplied to sell the cards, whatever that means? The new X1950GT(RV570LE) model, has a very similar specifications to the PRO edition. The lowered core speed from 575MHz to 500MHz and memory speed from 1.38GHz do 1.2GHz DDR are the main differences from the PRO version. In addition, the "Video In" support in Rage Theater has been removed. Early samples are already manufactured, but the final version of the cards is scheduled for early February 2007.

Diamond Multimedia is now shipping AGP versions of ATI Radeon X1950PRO graphics. This card uses the Radeon X1950 GPU and comes with 512MB GDDR3 memory. It has a core clock speed of 575MHz and a 1.38GHz memory speed. It supports Dual DVI (x2 Dual-link), HDTV, D-sub and VIVO. The AGP model of Viper X1950PRO supports DirectX 9, Shader Model 3.0, High Dynamic Range (HDR) with full post-processing capabilities and built-in native HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection). It is Microsoft Windows Vista ready and supported by Catalyst Control Center. All Diamond video cards also carry the Diamond guarantee of quality assurance. The X1950PRO retails at $279 for PCI-E, and $299 for AGP.

OCZ Technology Group, a worldwide leader in innovative, ultra-high performance and high reliability memory, today announced their exciting return to the world of graphics cards. Leveraging a strong expertise in high performance overclocking memory and the unique needs of PC enthusiasts, OCZ is prepared to deliver a differentiated GPU solution to gamers and enthusiasts with the launch of the OCZ NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTX 768MB PCI Express .

We reported on December 7th that OCZ was planning on entering the graphics card business. OCZ is expected to announce their 8800GTX either today or tomorrow, and Newegg will have a limited stock of the card available for immediate availability once the card is released. The card will come at NVIDIA default clocks, 575MHz core and 1800MHz memory, but OCZ encourages customers to overclock their cards (part number OCZ8800GTX).

ATI, the graphics manufacturing division of AMD, has announced that it plans to allow third party manufacturers to design and produce their own graphics card boards to their own capacities for certain chips. Until now, ATI and NVIDIA have not sold their high-end chips directly to other manufacturers, instead choosing to make the cards under their own supervision using a contract manufacturer first. This, in theory, ensures that the quality of all their graphics cards is high for end consumers. Graphics board manufacturers should now have more freedom in how they build the cards, with the X1950XT being one of the GPUs they will be allowed to do this with. Although ATI will still supervise the board manufacturing process, their partners should have more breathing space to customise the cards.

AMD has announced its plan to let different manufactures to design and manufacture its special Radeon X1950XT edition. It is expected these special edition may eventually has a lower cost than the official edition. Some of these special editions have already been sent to AMD for verification and hopefully they will be available in the market in Mid-January. VR-Zone also tells us to expect X1950XT and even X1950PRO prices to drop. Also AMD has cancelled plans for X1950GT video cards based on RV570LE, since it is no longer viable in the current price structure.

Sparkle today announced the immediate availability of SPARKLE GeForce 7600GT and SPARKLE GeForce 7900GS COOL-PIPE graphic cards. Besides super DX9 gaming power, both cards are equipped with heatpipe-based passive cooling system rather than the conventional HSF. This noiseless passive cooling solution features higher throughput thanks to high efficiency heatpipe optimized for mass heat volatilization. It has high performance thermal compound ensures optimal thermal dissipation even after years of use. Helped with this incredible passive cooling design SPARKLE GeForce 7600GT and 7900GS COOL-PIPE graphics cards bring totally zero DB working surroundings to pc gamers.

AMD plans to cut all the Radeon X1300 series, re-nominating RV516/RV505 to Radeon X1550, and overclocking them. Since the core is fabricated with 80nm process by TSMC, AMD confirmed that the core can be overclocked to 600MHz without changing the core voltage. Manufacturers are also approved to sell special overclocked Radeon X1550 version, which may be running at 700MHz with additional voltage and improved heat-sink. ATI Radeon X1550 256MB has the same price as Radeon X1300 - $65; while the special over-clocked edition costs $69. Its rival would be NVIDIA's GeForce 7300GS 256MB. Radeon X1550 has a 25% lead to GeForce 7300GS, and the boost is even higher for the special edition at 45%.

PowerColor is going to release X1950 PRO and XT cards with passive cooling solutions from Arctic Cooling. Both cards will be priced about USD$10 above the existing ones. This new passive cooler sports 4 heat-pipes and there are some special heat sinks to cool down the hot voltage regulators. The new passive cooler runs even cooler than the stock cooling on the X1950 PRO; 63C compared to 67C. The passive cooled PowerColor X1950 series video cards will be available in Q1 2007.

VisionTek Products, LLC, a leading supplier of advanced PC graphics cards, memory solutions and PC accessories, today announced the launch of their new X1950PRO AGP PC graphic card. The VisionTek X1950PRO AGP is currently available at Best Buy, Comp USA, other leading retailers and e-commerce locations.

Next year (2007) will start with an booming start for the VGA market, in 2007 lots of things will happen in this market, new architectures will be presented where performance will be outstanding and leading. Jetway will start in 2007 with bringing their ATI cards back to the European market with aggressive prices. Performance is leading but price for the market is just as important.

OCZ, well known for its memory and PSUs, is about to expand its product line. According to pictures posted at VR-Zone, OCZ will be producing graphic cards with NVIDIA chips. It is uncertain as to if the company will also utilize ATI/AMD cores for its products.