Sapphire steps up with new Vapor-X HD 4800 series

Sapphire Technology, leading graphics card maker, has introduced its new Vapor-X Series of graphics cards to market with new versions of the Readon HD 4870 and HD 4850. Built on Sapphire original design PCBs these new models will bring the benefits of new Vapor-X cooling solution - quieter and more efficient cooling - to a wider range of users. A new distinctive cooler design makes the Vapor-X Series stand out in looks as well as performance.

According to the company, the new Sapphire HD 4870 Vapor-X Edition offers for the first time a choice of 2GB or 1GB of DDR5 memory and runs with clock speeds of 750 MHz core and 900 MHz memory. The Sapphire HD 4850 Vapor-X Edition has 512MB of GDDR3 and clocks of 625 MHZ core and 993 MHz memory. Both models feature high specification solid capacitors and Sapphire 'Diamond Black' heatsink chokes for higher efficiency and more reliable operation. The high-polymer aluminium capacitors used possess characteristics superior to regular aluminium capacitors for longer product life. The choke is an important component of the power regulation on a graphics card. The Sapphire Diamond Black (patent pending) choke with integral heatsink runs 10% cooler and with 25% more power efficiency than the normal choke.

Sapphire graphics cards in the HD 4800 series incorporate the latest ATI Avivo HD Technology for enhanced Video display. They feature a new second generation built in hardware UVD (Unified Video decoder) considerably reducing CPU load and delivering smooth decoding of Blu-ray and HD DVD content for both VC-1 and H.264 codecs, as well as Mpeg files. An HDMI connector is provided on the rear bracket, as well as DVI and VGA giving the maximum versatility in connecting to monitor or flat panel displays. Two simultaneous displays are supported.

Vapor-X is a Vapor Chamber Technology based on the same principles as heatpipe technology. A liquid coolant is vaporised at a hot surface, the resulting vapor is condensed at a cold surface then the liquid is returned to the hot surface. The recirculation process takes place inside an evacuated chamber and is controlled by a complex wick system. In Sapphire Vapor-X systems, the whole chamber is very slim and is mounted in contact with the surface of the graphics chip.

The new Vapor-X Radeon HD 4850 can be found for approximately 150 Euros, while the 1GB and 2GB versions of the Radeon HD 4870 cards go for about 220 Euros and 250 Euros, respectively.