AMD's recent free SimCity game bundle with most A8- and A10-series sub-$150 APUs baffled analysts, particularly with how AMD is bundling a gift with market price of $60, with products starting at $80. It looks like certain AMD add-in board (AIB) partners are striking similar deals with EA. A case in point is Sapphire, which decided to bundle the game with a special edition Radeon HD 7790 graphics card, which for now appears to be a Japan-exclusive. We're not sure how the SimCity inclusion affects the Never Settle bundle eligibility of the card, which should also fetch its owners Far Cry 3, and a 20% discount coupon for Medal of Honor: Warfighter. We don't imagine Sapphire to price its card significantly higher than its stock trim. The card itself looks identical to the HD 7790 2 GB the company recently announced, albeit with just 1 GB of memory, lacking a back-plate, and featuring reference AMD clock speeds of 1000 MHz core and 6.00 GHz memory.

Source: Hermitage Akihabara

SAPPHIRE Technology has just announced that it will start shipping the HD 7990 – the fastest graphics card available based on the highly acclaimed graphics GCN (Graphics Core Next) architecture from AMD.

The SAPPHIRE HD 7990 has a dual GPU architecture with a total of 4096 Stream processors and core clock speeds of 1GHz (with Boost enabled), delivering up to 8.2 TeraFlops of compute power. It is equipped with 6GB of the latest DDR5 memory, and its output configuration of Dual-Link DVI plus four DisplayPorts supports up to 5 simultaneous displays in AMD Eyefinity. A large heatpipe assembly cooled by three axial fans ensures that the card runs quietly even under load.

According to the latest global graphics card market share seen by Taiwanese tech industry observer DigiTimes, Palit Microsystems and PC Partner have each surpassed ASUSTek. The two relegated ASUS to the position of third biggest graphics card vendor by volume. ASUS is a vendor-neutral graphics card vendor, selling both NVIDIA GeForce and AMD Radeon graphics cards; while Palit beat it with a predominantly GeForce-based product stack. Although Palit Microsystems is vendor-neutral on paper, it virtually stopped making AMD Radeon-based products.

Palit Microsystems runs two major brands, Palit, and Gainward, which target different global markets, and are seldom found in the same market. PC Partner, on the other hand, runs Sapphire, which focuses on AMD Radeon products, and ZOTAC, focusing on NVIDIA GeForce. Both Palit Microsystems and PC Partners also contract-manufacture graphics cards for other companies. With the surge of Palit Microsystems and PC Partner, ASUSTek is pushed down to the third place in global market-share, followed by MSI and GIGABYTE.

Source: DigiTimes

SAPPHIRE Technology has just added a 2 GB model to the recently introduced HD 7790 series of graphics cards. Like the other members of the series, the SAPPHIRE HD 7790 2 GB OC is based on the latest Bonaire chipset featuring the highly acclaimed graphics GCN (Graphics Core Next) architecture from AMD and sets a new standard for performance in mainstream graphics.

The SAPPHIRE HD 7790 2 GB OC Edition has 2 GB of the latest DDR5 memory and is factory overclocked, with core clocks of 1050 MHz and memory clocks of 1600 MHz (6.4 GT/s effective), to deliver new levels of performance in its price segment. Performance is optimized with the latest version of AMD's PowerTune technology.

Sapphire rolled out its Radeon HD 7790 lineup with two models, both of which feature non-reference designs. The Sapphire Radeon HD 7790 (base model) features a single-fan aluminum fin-stack cooler, which utilizes a pair of 8 mm-thick copper heat pipes, AMD-reference clock speeds of 1000 MHz core, 6000 MHz memory; and a price of $149.99; while the premium Radeon HD 7790 Dual-X features a more meaty dual-fan cooling solution that uses a pair of 80 mm fans to ventilate an aluminum fin-stack, factory-overclocked speeds of 1075 MHz core, and 6400 MHz memory. Based on the 28 nm "Bonaire" silicon, the Radeon HD 7790 packs 896 stream processors, dual tessellation units, 56 TMUs, 16 ROPs, and a 128-bit GDDR5 memory interface holding 1 GB of memory; and a brand new dynamic-clock technology. The base model is priced at $149.99, the Dual-X OC at $159.99.

SAPPHIRE Technology, the leading manufacturer and global supplier of graphics solutions based on AMD technology, has just announced an exciting new graphics accelerator compatible with the Apple Mac Pro series of desktop computers.

Exclusive to SAPPHIRE, the HD 7950 Mac Edition is based on AMD's latest Graphics Core Next (GCN) architecture. This highly acclaimed architecture delivers a significant graphics performance boost for Mac Pro users in a wide range of applications including gaming, audio or video editing and content creation. For example, gaming frame rates are increased by over 200%, general benchmark performance increased by around 30% and graphics intensive benchmarks increased by as much as 300% compared with the NV 8800GT commonly used in these machines (SAPPHIRE internal data).

Here are the first pictures of Sapphire Radeon HD 7790 Dual-X, the company's premium offering based on AMD's new GPU. The card features Sapphire's in-house PCB and cooler designs, including an aluminium fin-stack heatsink ventilated by a pair of 80 mm fans, and a 21.5 cm long PCB. The card draws power from a single 6-pin PCIe power connector, its display outputs are similar to the HD 7850, with a pair of DVI connectors, HDMI, and DisplayPort. It can pair with another of its kind, only.

Sapphire unveiled the Radeon HD 7950 Mac Edition graphics card for Apple Mac Pro workstations. Featuring lateral-flow cooling assembly akin to AMD's reference design, and a glossy, curvy white cooler shroud, the card features a custom design, pitch-black PCB with the firmware required to get the card running on a Mac Pro.

The card features older Radeon HD 7950 ASIC, which lacks PowerTune with Boost; and features clock speeds of 800 MHz core, 5.00 GHz memory. It packs 3 GB of memory across a 384-bit GDDR5 interface. It draws power from two 6-pin PCIe connectors. Display outputs include a dual-link DVI, an HDMI, and two mini-DisplayPorts. The card is expected to be priced in the range of €400 and €500, a hefty premium over the roughly €250 common HD 7950 cards charge today.Source: ComputerBase.de

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.Source: BeHardware

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.