PRESS RELEASE

SAPPHIRE Steps up HD 4800 Series with new HD 4850 model

Following the introduction of the highly acclaimed HD 4800 series, SAPPHIRE Technology, the leading manufacturer and worldwide supplier of AMD/ATI based graphics solutions is now shipping a new version of the SAPPHIRE HD 4850.

This new version of the HD 4850 has been production engineered by SAPPHIRE to bring a number of benefits to the end user. Still carrying 512MB of DDR3 memory and offering the same performance as the original model based on the reference design, with clock speeds of 625MHz (core) and 993MHz (memory), the SAPPHIRE model features a revised PCB layout and dual slot cooler with copper core which delivers more efficient and quieter operation. This version is shipping from the first week in August and will be available at a lower price than the launch model.

The SAPPHIRE HD 4800 series use the PCI-Express Gen2 interface, and feature dual connectors for CrossFireX bridge cables, allowing two or more cards to be used together on a CrossFireX compatible mainboard for even higher graphics performance. They use the powerful new graphics architectures from the ATI division of AMD, incorporating 800 stream process units, improved memory management architecture and an upgraded hardware video decoder.

All SAPPHIRE graphics cards in the HD 4800 series incorporate the latest ATI Avivo™ HD Technology for enhanced Video display and feature a new 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. In addition to two, dual-link DVI outputs, and TV-Out, a dedicated HDMI adaptor delivers both audio and video output on a single cable for direct connection to an HDMI ready display.

SAPPHIRE HD 4800 series graphics cards are Microsoft Windows Vista™ Premium certified and supported by the ATI Catalyst® suite of software, ensuring customers have ongoing access to software updates for performance, stability and added features. Like the previous generation, these cards support DirectX10.1 for enhanced rendering performance and lighting effects.