SAPPHIRE Technology has just introduce a new low profile model in the successful R7 Series of graphics cards targeted at small form factor PCs and HTPCs.

The SAPPHIRE R7 240 Low Profile card is based on the successful graphics GCN (Graphics Core Next) architecture from AMD. It unusually features dual HDMI outputs, each supporting HDMI 1.4a with high speed transfer and full 4K display resolution of 4096 x 2160. Both display outputs can be used simultaneously.

Following the launch of two factory-overclocked, WindForce-equipped Radeon R9 200 graphics cards, Gigabyte rolled out its entry-level Radeon R7 200 series, with five models based on the Radeon R7 260X, Radeon R7 250, and Radeon R7 240. To begin with, the company launched three kinds of R7 260X graphics cards, by reusing two of its PCB designs for the "Bonaire" silicon, the GV-R726XWF2-2GD revisions 1 and 2 (pictured in that order). A third variant is based on a simpler fan-heatsink cooler. The three cards come with identical factory-overclocked speeds of 1188 MHz core (vs. 1100 MHz reference), while leaving the memory untouched, at 6.50 GHz. The cards feature 2 GB of GDDR5 memory, across a 128-bit wide memory interface.

Moving on, the company launched a Radeon R7 250 graphics card, the GV-R725OC-1GI. Based on the 28 nm "Oland" silicon, the chip integrates 384 stream processors, 24 TMUs, 8 ROPs, and a 128-bit wide GDDR5 memory interface, holding 1 GB of memory. The card comes with factory-overclocked GPU core clock speed of 1100 MHz (vs. 1050 MHz reference), and 4.60 GHz memory. Lastly, there's its toned down version the Radeon R7 240, based on the same chip, and board design, the GV-R724OC-2GI, featuring factory-overclocked 900 MHz core (vs. 780 MHz reference), and 2 GB of DDR3 memory clocked at 1.80 GHz.

If with great power comes great responsibility then definitely with new graphics cards come brand new drivers. Enter the AMD Radeon R9 and R7 Series cards and the first (publicly-available) driver to support them, the Catalyst 13.11. Still in beta mode, this fresh Catalyst works with the Radeon R9 280X, R9 270X, R7 260X, R7 250 and R7 240, as well as the Radeon HD 7000, HD 6000 and HD 5000 Series cards.

The Catalyst 13.11 Beta (V1) is supposed to feature some fixes, plus improvements for Battlefield 4 as well as for TESV: Skyrim and Total War: Rome 2. To download the driver just click on the links below.

• AMD Catalyst 13.11 Beta V1 Driver for Windows 7/8/8.1
• AMD Catalyst 13.11 Beta V1 Driver for Linux

It's not a secret that AMD has had the performance lead at any important price point over the past few years. Graphics cards like the Radeon HD 7850, 7790, 7770 and 7750 have proved to be impressive performers while being very affordable. Compared to other offerings in the market they still are great products. Graphics Core Next architecture, DisplayPort 1.2 outputs, DirectX 11 support and Clock Speeds of over 1 GHz, the HD 77XX and 78XX series delivered High End specs at a Mid Range price point.

With the launch of the new Radeon R7 range this development will be continued further. The different segments will be clearly distinguishable by the new label they carry. R9 stands for the enthusiast, High End segment, while the R7 label contains capable performers in the Mid Range segment.

ASUS today announced the launch of R7 250 and R7 240, two new graphics cards powered by the latest AMD Radeon R7 series graphics-processing units (GPUs).

The new R7 250 and R7 240 cards benefit from many exclusive ASUS technologies and tools including Super Alloy Power components for superior stability, dust-proof fans for improved card lifespan and GPU Tweak, an easy-to-use tuning software that allows users to squeeze every last drop of performance out of their graphics card.