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Sapphire Radeon 9500 Pro Review




Written by: Craig "craig5320" Humphreys
Editor: Allan "Zardon" Campbell

INTRODUCTION

Sapphire Technology Ltd designs, manufactures and distributes the most complete range of ATI based video graphics accelerators worldwide. Additionally Sapphire produces mainboard's based on ATI’s newest IGP chipset technology. Sapphire is based in Hong Kong with two ISO9001 and ISO14001 manufacturing facilities in Dongguan, China. The factories have a total capacity of 1.8 million graphic boards per month. Sapphire currently employs over 3000 employees worldwide with local representation in North America, Europe and Asia. SapphireTech.com

The Sapphire Radeon 9500 Atlantis Pro is of course based on the RADEON 9500 series of chipset's from ATi Technologies Inc. It boasts DirectX 9 support and a vast array of features such as 128MB DDR memory, an eight pipe, 128bit memory interface, SMARTSHADER™ 2.0 technology which allows users to experience complex, movie-quality effects in next-generation 3D games and applications. In addition, ATI's SMOOTHVISION™ 2.0 technology enhances image quality by removing jagged edges and bringing out fine texture detail, without compromising performance.

Revolutionary New Video Features include ATI's unique VIDEOSHADER™ engine that uses programmable pixel shaders to accelerate video processing and provide better-looking visuals. At the same time, ATI's new FULLSTREAM™ technology removes blocky artifacts from streaming and Internet video provides sharper image quality.

CARD SPECIFICATION
  • 128MB DDR memory accelerates the latest 3D games
  • 128-bit DDR memory interface provides end users with fast graphics performance
  • 8-pixel pipeline architecture cuts rendering time in half when compared to any competing product
  • Supports the new AGP 8X standard, providing a high-speed link between the graphics board and the rest of the PC (2.0 GB/sec)
  • Provides full support for Microsoft® DirectX® 9.0 and the latest OpenGL® functionality
  • SMARTSHADER™ 2.0 technology allows users to experience complex, movie-quality effects in next-generation 3D games and applications
  • SMOOTHVISION™ 2.0 technology enhances image quality by removing jagged edges and pinging out fine texture detail, without compromising performance
  • 128-bit floating-point colour precision allows for a greater range of colours and brightness
  • ATI's latest FULLSTREAM™ technology removes blocky artifacts from streaming Internet video and provides sharper image quality
  • Unique VIDEOSHADER™ engine uses programmable pixel shaders to accelerate video processing and provide better-looking visuals

     
    Sapphire Radeon 9500 Pro Specification
     
     Process Technology  0.15 micron
     AGP Interface  AGP 2x/4x/8x
     Core Engine  ATi Radeon 9500 Pro
     Core Clock  275Mhz
     Memory Type/Size  128MB DDR SDRAM
     Memory Clock  275MHz (550MHz DDR)
     Memory Bandwidth  8.8GB/s (128-bit)
     RAMDAC  350Mhz
     Max Resolution  2048 X 1536 X 75Hz
     Dual Display  Dual VGA, Dual DVI, VGA+DVI
     TV-Out  Yes
     
BOX CONTENTS

In addition to the card Sapphire supply three CDs. The three CDs included are the driver CD, A Full version of PowerDVD 4.0 and Sapphire's Tweak Utility Program. You also get two cables a S-Video cable and DVI connector cable, included is also a yellow adapter that's a S-Video to Coax connector and the DVI on the board has an adaptor so it can connect to an standard CRT display connector.

BOARD SHOT

The actual board reviewed was based on the ATI reference PCB so it does actually resemble the the ATI version, and it can be hard to distinguish the two cards. However the final retail version will use the Sapphire PCB which is shown in more detail on the next page.

 

 

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