Building on the success of its EDGE HD series, hailed as the smallest fully featured PC in the world, SAPPHIRE Technology, a world leading manufacturer and supplier of PC graphics cards, mainboards and professional graphics solutions has just introduced a new model, the SAPPHIRE EDGE HD4 mini-PC, based on the latest mobile processor technology from Intel.

The SAPPHIRE EDGE HD4 shares the same slim, stylish outline as the earlier models but delivers increased performance as a result of incorporating the latest Celeron 847 processor from Intel. Like the earlier models, it is slimmer and smaller than most wireless access points, in fact around the size of a paperback book! Its stylish design and simple pedestal mount make it equally at home next to a TV or a business monitor whilst occupying the minimum of desk or shelf space.

In a bid to capture market share in the crucial Chinese Lunar New Year shopping season across the Greater China region, Sapphire launched a new graphics card occupying a price-point most tempting to value-conscious buyers, the Radeon HD 7770 Vapor-X Black Diamond. Simply put, it's a Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition card with an advanced vapor-chamber-based cooler strapped on to it, with some groovy black styling dropped in; all of which shouldn't cost Sapphire much, but ups product presentation greatly. It is a slight variation of the Vapor-X OC found in western markets.

The Sapphire HD 7770 Vapor-X Black Diamond uses a Vapor-X cooler which uses a vapor-chamber plate and two 8 mm-thick copper heat pipes to draw heat from the GPU, and conduct it to a dense aluminum fin stack, which is ventilated by a pair of 80 mm spinners. Underneath it is a custom-design PCB that's dressed in black, and uses Sapphire's noise-free chokes. The card sticks to AMD reference clock speeds of 1000 MHz core and 1250 MHz (5.00 GHz GDDR5-effective) memory. It packs 1 GB of GDDR5 memory across a 128-bit wide memory interface. Power is drawn from a single 6-pin PCIe connector. Display outputs include two DVI, and one each of DisplayPort and HDMI.

This card is only available in China.

SAPPHIRE Technology has just announced a new graphics card in its HD 7000 series - the SAPPHIRE HD 7870 XT with Boost. Like the other cards in the HD 7000 series, the new card is based on the highly acclaimed Graphics Core Next architecture from AMD.

The SAPPHIRE HD 7870 XT with Boost delivers a new price : performance point to the series. It is based on AMD's Tahiti architecture with its 256-bit memory interface, and 1280 stream processors and 80 Texture units, unlike the remainder of the HD 7800 series that uses the Pitcairn architecture. Configured with 2 GB of high speed GDDR5 memory running at 1500 MHz (6 GHz effective) the SAPPPHIRE HD 7870 XT has a core clock of 925 MHz which dynamically rises to 975 MHz with PowerTune Boost, AMDs dynamic performance enhancement for games.

In addition to the global launch of Vapor-X CPU cooler, Sapphire rolled out a factory-overclocked Radeon HD 7750 OC Edition graphics card that's exclusive to the Greater China region. The card is based on the standard cost-effective full-height board design Sapphire used on the base model, enhanced with a factory-overclock of 850 MHz core, with 4.80 GHz memory. It packs 1 GB of GDDR5 memory across a 128-bit wide memory interface. Based on the 28 nm "Cape Verde" silicon, the Radeon HD 7750 packs 512 Graphics CoreNext stream processors. It is expected to be priced around 650 RMB.

Sapphire officially launched the Vapor-X CPU cooler it talked about at trade shows earlier this year. It uses a vapor-chamber plate to draw heat from the CPU, and convey it to four 7 mm-thick nickel-plated copper heat pipes, which then pass through a dense aluminum fin stack, that's ventilated by two 120 mm PWM controlled fans (replaceable) in push-pull configuration. Spinning at speeds ranging between 495 and 2,200 RPM, the fans push 77 CFM of air, each. Measuring 135 x 110.4 x 163.5 mm, the heatsink weighs about 925 g. Nearly every modern client CPU socket type is supported, including Intel sockets LGA2011, LGA115x, LGA775, and AMD sockets AM3+/AM3/AM2+/AM2, and FM2/FM1. Expect a sub-$80 price.

Sapphire launched its Radeon HD 7870 Toxic 2 GB graphics card, based on the 28 nm "Tahiti LE" Pitcairn silicon. The card uses a swanky new dual-fan cooler that features a design unlike anything launched by Sapphire so far. It uses a single aluminum fin stack that spans the entire length of the card, to which heat is conveyed by four 8 mm-thick heat pipes that make direct contact with the large die. The card also features a back-plate. It appears to use a high-grade VRM with DirectFETs. The HD 7870 Toxic from Sapphire packs 2 GB of GDDR5 memory across a 256-bit wide memory interface. According to our Sapphire contact, the card is exclusive to the Chinese market.Update 28/11
It turns out this card is a damp squib for two reasons:

• It's still based on Pitcairn and not the superior Tahiti LE chip
• It's exclusive to the Chinese market

SAPPHIRE Technology has just introduced a new family of mini-PCs based on the latest Accelerated Processing Unit (APU) technology from AMD, codenamed Trinity. The SAPPHIRE Edge VS series delivers fantastic performance and stunning graphics in a small format for a wide range of applications, whatever the environment.

At home, the compact, beautiful design can be sited anywhere, replacing older bulky PCs - yet it will breeze through almost any task. In fact scores of top applications have been optimized specifically for the technology in the SAPPHIRE Edge VS. In addition to easily handling home office applications, it delivers flawless, stutter-free HD video playback and streaming, and faster and better Internet browsing.

Sapphire announced a new Radeon HD 7870 GHz graphics card based on a compact PCB, and its Dual-X cooling solution that features on some of its higher-end HD 7770 graphics card models. Not to be confused with the HD 7870 FleX with Dual-X, the new card features a standard display output layout, a cost-effective PCB, and a noise-optimized dual-fan cooling solution. The card packs 2 GB of GDDR5 memory across a 256-bit wide memory interface, and sticks to AMD reference clock speeds of 1000 MHz core, and 4.80 GHz memory. The card draws power from two 6-pin PCIe power connectors, display outputs include two DVI, and one each of HDMI and DisplayPort. Expect the card to be priced at US $230.

According to an investigative report by BeHardware, some Sapphire-made Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition graphics cards may be affected by a "black screen" issue. Some Sapphire HD 7870 users could notice random screen blackouts. A collaboration with AMD unveiled the cause of the screen blackouts to be caused due to a "noisy" GPU electrical signal (voltage is controlled by pulse-width modulation). The cause for GPU electrical signal noise is found to be bad quality ceramic capacitors responsible for conditioning power to the GPU.

AMD has been investigating the issue for months, and had already informed its add-in board partners (AIBs) about components responsible, and to take steps to correct the issue. BeHardware, however, was able to reproduce the problem in recent batches of Sapphire-made HD 7870 cards bought from stores. Following the investigation, Sapphire corrected the issue at their production lines, recalled inventories from French retailers, and relaxed its RMA policy towards existing users of its HD 7870 cards.

SAPPHIRE Technology Ltd., a global supplier of innovative IT products and a leading provider of components for digital signage installations, today announced that it has joined InfoComm International in order to share its expertise, network and shape the professional AV industry. InfoComm is the leading non-profit association serving the professional AV communications industry, with members throughout the world.

Known for its state-of-the-art graphics cards, motherboards, splitters/expanders and player PCs, SAPPHIRE has recently expanded its product line to include a broader range of products ideally suited to the professional AV industry. From extenders to digital signage software, SAPPHIRE is committed to offering reliable, interoperable, and cost-effective products for installation in retail locations, bars/restaurants, education facilities, lobbies, houses of worship and other environments.

SAPPHIRE Technology, a leading manufacturer and global supplier of graphics, mainboard and multimedia solutions has just announced a new mainboard developed to support the latest Trinity family of APUs from AMD.

The SAPPHIRE Pure Platinum A85XT is a full ATX sized board that supports the latest generation AMD APU A10/A8/A6/A4 series Trinity processors using socket FM2. It includes full implementation of the A85X chipset features, including USB 3.0, SATA 6G, PCI-Express expansion and extensive I/O support.

SAPPHIRE Technology Ltd., a leading manufacturer and global supplier of innovative IT products, today introduced the PowerScale series of audio/video extenders: the SAPPHIRE PowerScale EX100 and SAPPHIRE PowerScale EX40. These HDMI over CATx transmitter/receiver kits ensure first-rate distribution of uncompressed audio/video signals at optimal distances.

"Our objective is to remain attentive to our integrator base," says Adrian Thompson, VP of Marketing, SAPPHIRE Technology Ltd. "Complications can all too easily arise when disparate technologies are combined in an attempt to deliver a complete solution. In a continued effort to simplify the process of selecting and integrating digital signage components, SAPPHIRE has introduced the PowerScale family of extenders. We may now ensure compatibility among our growing range of products-even when displays are installed at a considerable distance from the player."

SAPPHIRE Technology has just announced the SAPPHIRE HD 7770 Flex Edition, bringing together the highly acclaimed features of AMD's GCN architecture with SAPPHIRE's unique solution to multi-screen graphics in an affordable solution for the mainstream. The SAPPHIRE HD 7770 FleX brings easily configured multi-screen graphics to the mainstream. The FleX feature enables users to connect low-cost DVI monitors for the first three screens in landscape or portrait mode providing a cost-effective solution for increased productivity in content creation and editing applications as well as for display systems or multi- screen gaming.

By also using the DisplayPort output, the SAPPHIRE HD 7770 FleX can support four screens in Eyefinity, providing additional display options. The SAPPHIRE HD 7770 FleX is a member of the SAPPHIRE GHz series, and ships with clock speeds of 1000 MHz for the core and 1250 MHz (5 Gb/sec effective) for the 1 GB of on board high speed DDR5 memory. For enthusiasts wishing to maximise performance, a new version of the SAPPHIRE overclocking tool, TriXX supporting this latest generation of technology is available free to download from the SAPPHIRE website. TriXX allows tuning of GPU voltage as well as core and memory clocks, whilst continuously displaying temperature. Manual control of fan speed is supported, as well as user created fan profiles and the ability to save up to four different performance settings.

Sapphire announced a new graphics card model based on AMD's revitalized Radeon HD 7950 Boost GPU. The card combines the new HD 7950 Boost with Sapphire's Vapor-X dual-fan cooler which has been used the likes of HD 7970 GHz Toxic 6 GB. The card even features an out-of-the-box OC. While AMD's new specifications dictate 850 MHz core with 925 MHz Boost frequency, Sapphire's BIOS runs the card at 850 MHz core with 950 MHz Boost frequency. The card packs 3 GB of GDDR5 memory across a 384-bit wide memory interface, clocked at 5.00 GHz.

Sapphire HD 7950 Boost Vapor-X OC uses a reasonably powerful VRM that draws power from two 8-pin PCI-Express power connectors. The Vapor-X cooler uses a large vapor-chamber plate that draws heat from the GPU and memory, and quickly transports it to the primary heatsink. Two 8 mm-thick and two 6 mm-thick heat pipes lend a hand. The heatsink is ventilated by a pair of 90 mm fans. Sapphire's HD 7950 Boost Vapor-X OC is expected to be priced around US $350.

SAPPHIRE Technology, a leading manufacturer and global supplier of graphics solutions has just announced a new low profile card in its successful HD 7000 series.

The SAPPHIRE HD 7750 1 GB Low profile model is based on the highly acclaimed Graphics Core Next architecture from AMD, and retains all the features of the HD 7700 series but in a truly low profile format. Many low profile cards use a cooler that is actually larger than the PCB format, and cannot be used in slimline cases. The SAPPHIRE solution uses a specially developed single slot cooler with an efficient ball bearing fan and heatsink design that truly follows the low profile format. This makes it ideally suited to applications like HTPCs or installation in even the slimmest styles of mini-ITX cases.

SAPPHIRE Technology has now added two new Vapor-X Models to its HD 7970 series of high performance graphics cards based on the latest HD 7970 GHz Edition GPU from AMD.

The SAPPHIRE HD 7970 6GB Vapor-X Edition shares many of the features of the recently announced industry-leading TOXIC Edition. Its 6GB frame buffer makes it ideally suited to multi-screen gaming as well as providing the extra memory required for demanding professional applications such as content creation, video editing or rendering.

SAPPHIRE Technology has just announced its HD 7970 6 GB TOXIC Edition graphics card boasting the highest clock speeds in its class and believed to be the fastest single GPU graphics card in the world.

The SAPPHIRE HD 7970 6 GB TOXIC Edition is based on the latest HD 7970 GHz Edition GPU from AMD, together with a host of industry first and exclusive features to deliver maximum performance. Its unique 6 GB frame buffer is a World first for a consumer graphics card and makes the TOXIC Edition ideally suited to multi-screen gaming as well as providing the extra memory required for demanding professional applications such as content creation, video editing or rendering.

The first two new versions of the HD 7850 being introduced by SAPPHIRE have 2GB of the latest DDR5 memory. The standard model will ship with a core clock speed of 860MHz, and. memory clocked at 1200MHz (4.8Gb/s effective). At the same time SAPPHIRE is introducing a higher performance model, the SAPPHIRE HD 7850 OC Edition, with the faster clocks of 920MHz core and 1250MHz (5Gb/s effective) for the memory. Offering excellent performance at an even keener price point, the third model in the series is the SAPPHIRE HD 7850 1GB model which will ship with the core clock of 900MHz and memory at 1200MHz (4.8Gb/s effective).

All three models are equipped with a dual BIOS, and the new output configuration of Dual link DVI-I, Dual link DVI-D, HDMI and Display Port. They also feature SAPPHIRE's latest dual-extractor cooler technology - Dual-X - a highly efficient multi-heatpipe cooler with dual fans providing quiet and very cool operation during normal operating conditions, and superb cooling performance even under extreme load.

SAPPHIRE Technology has just announced the SAPPHIRE HD 7870 Flex Edition - only the second model in the highly acclaimed HD 7000 series of graphics cards based on the Graphics Core Next architecture from AMD to feature SAPPHIRE's unique solution to multi-screen graphics.

Most graphics cards based on AMD technology require the third monitor in an Eyefinity set-up to be a DisplayPort monitor, or connected with an active DisplayPort Adapter. The SAPPHIRE FleX family can support three DVI monitors in Eyefinity mode and deliver a true SLS (Single Large Surface) work area without the need for active adapters. The first two monitors are connected to the two DVI ports and the third to an HDMI to DVI cable (supplied) with no extra active hardware required. The DisplayPort outputs are still available for the connection of additional monitors - for example the recently announced SAPPHIRE HD 7950 FleX with its two DisplayPort outputs can support up to 5 screens in Eyefinity.

Today AMD launched the world's fastest graphics processing unit (GPU), the AMD Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition. The AMD Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition uses AMD's innovative Graphics Core Next (GCN) architecture to deliver astonishing performance and breathtaking image quality, providing world-class gameplay at the highest resolutions in the most demanding games such as Battlefield 3, Deus Ex: Human Revolution and DiRT Showdown.

"The AMD Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition rounds out our award-winning GCN family, providing world-class gameplay thanks to the industry's fastest single GPU," said Matt Skynner, corporate vice president and general manager, GPU Division, AMD. "Gamers have been hungry for our AMD Radeon HD 7000 Series since our launch last December. We have been able to meet that growing demand as we expanded our AMD Radeon HD 7000 offerings and brought the industry's most advanced graphics across a complete family of leading-edge desktop and notebook graphics cards."

What you might pass away for a bare entry-level graphics card at first glance, could end up being Sapphire's new Radeon HD 7750 single-slot low-profile graphics card. The design is a beneficiary of 28 nm "Cape Verde" silicon, which is found to have good-enough temperatures on its reference-design board. The card is ideal for mini-ITX systems. It relies entirely on the PCI-Express slot for power, and uses a 2+1+1 phase VRM, which utilizes high-grade driver-MOSFETs on its GPU phases.

The card sticks to AMD reference clock speeds of 800 MHz core, with 1125 MHz (4.50 GHz effective) memory. It packs 1 GB of GDDR5 memory over a 128-bit wide memory interface. The GPU packs 512 Graphics CoreNext stream processors. Display outputs include one each of dual-link DVI, mini-DisplayPort, and mini-HDMI. Adapters converting them to standard-size connectors, and a low-profile bracket will come included.

The Pure Platinum Z77i isn't the only new mini-ITX motherboard from Sapphire, the company also has one based on the AMD A75 chipset, supporting upcoming "Trinity APUs from AMD, in the socket FM2 package, called the Pure Platinum A75T. There are quite a few design differences between Sapphire's new mini-ITX motherboards besides the platforms they support. The most significant being, that the Pure Platinum A75T features two DDR3 SO-DIMM slots, instead of standard 240-pin UDIMM ones.

The Pure Platinum A75T draws power from 24-pin ATX + 4-pin ATX connectors. The APU is powered by a 5-phase VRM, with a heatsink cooling the driver-MOSFETs. The APU is wired to two DDR3 SO-DIMM slots supporting up to 16 GB of dual-channel DDR3-1866 MHz memory; a PCI-Express 2.0 x16 slot; and a mini-PCIe 2.0 x1 slot (for WLAN cards). The A75 FCH gives out four SATA 6 Gb/s internal ports. There are four USB 3.0 ports, two each on the rear-panel, and by headers. Display connectivity includes one each of DVI, D-Sub, and HDMI. 6-channel HD audio and gigabit Ethernet make for the rest of the connectivity. The Pure Platinum A75T could feature in the first wave of socket FM2 motherboards.

Sapphire's growing motherboard lineup as a new entry in the form of the Pure Platinum Z77i. This socket LGA1155 motherboard is based on the Intel Z77 Express chipset, and is built in the super-compact mini-ITX form-factor, making it ideal for gaming PCs that are LAN party-animals. The motherboard is designed to draw power from a 24-pin ATX, and a 4-pin CPU power connector. The LGA1155 socket is powered by a simple 4-phase VRM, which uses ferrite-core chokes and compact driver-MOSFETs. The VRM should be strong enough to handle CPUs that aren't heavily overclocked.

The LGA1155 socket on the Pure Platinum Z77i is wired to a PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slot, and two DDR3 DIMM slots, supporting up to 16 GB of dual-channel DDR3 memory. The Z77 PCH gives out two internal SATA 6 Gb/s, and two SATA 3 Gb/s ports. Display connectivity includes one each of DVI, D-Sub, HDMI, and DisplayPort. There are a total of four USB 3.0 ports, two on the rear panel, two by headers. Rounding off the connectivity are 8-channel HD audio, gigabit Ethernet, and Bluetooth.

In February, Sapphire launched its HD 7750 Ultimate fan-less, silent graphics card. At Computex, the AMD Radeon major unveiled the model of this kind, based on the faster Radeon HD 7770 GPU. Called the Sapphire HD 7770 Ultimate, the card relies on a much larger aluminum fin heatsink than the one featured on the HD 7750 Ultimate, to cool the GPU. The heatsink makes the card about as long as an HD 7900 series model, although its PCB isn't as long. This allows a large portion of the heatsink to passively (by convection) vent its hot air above, without being interrupted by the PCB.

Despite its large heatsink, the Sapphire HD 7770 Ultimate does not need more than two expansion card slots in your system. Sapphire did not compromise on the clock speeds, although the card sticks to AMD reference speeds of 1000 MHz core, 1125 MHz (4.50 GHz effective) memory. It holds 1 GB of GDDR5 memory across a 128-bit wide memory interface. Based on the 28 nm "Cape Verde" silicon, the HD 7770 packs 640 Graphics CoreNext stream processors. Sapphire will launch the HD 7770 Ultimate a little later this year.

It looks like the Pure Platinum A75 FM2 isn't Sapphire's top socket FM2 offering. Sapphire showed off its Pure Platnum A85XT among its other top-tier motherboards. The A85XT is based on AMD A85 FCH chipset, and supports next-generation "Trinity" APUs in the FM2 package. The APU socket is powered by an 8-phase VRM. It is wired to four DDR3 DIMM slots, and two PCI-Express 2.0 x16 slots (x8/x8, when both are populated).

Other expansion slots on the A85XT are a strangely positioned mPCIe, a PCI-Express 2.0 x4, two PCI-Express 2.0 x1, and two legacy PCI. Seven of the A85 PCH SATA controller's eight SATA 6 Gb/s ports are assigned as internal ports, with the eighth one as mSATA. There are four USB 3.0 ports, two on the rear panel, and two via headers. Display connectivity includes DVI, D-Sub, HDMI, and DisplayPort. Gigabit Ethernet, Bluetooth, and 8-channel HD audio complete the package.