Just one day after ATI's official announcement for the X800 GTO family, Saphire is the first company among ATI's partners to announce two X800 GTO graphic-powered graphics cards.

All new models feature a 256-bit memory interface and 12 pixel pipelines, but they offer a different choice of memory size, GPU cooler and clock speed options.

The "basic" (256MB) version of the Sapphire X800 GTO features a 256 bit memory interface and twelve pipelines. The card is clocked at 400MHz core and 490MHz (980MHz effective) memory. As Sapphire bundles its Trixx overclocking software, with the appropriate cooling these speeds can be raised to 520 / 500MHz or better, depending on system conditions. The card is silently cooled by a new heatpipe system.

Saphire will also launch an 128MB version of the basic card, which uses 256-bit DDR1 BGA memory; and has standard core speed of 400MHz and memory speed of 350MHz DDR (700MHz effective). The card is also designed for overclocking and is expected to deliver 520 / 380MHz at a more competitive price.



The second card is addressed to the performace enthusiast. The Sapphire RADEON X800GTO Fireblade Edition uses a conventional dual slot fan cooler venting outside the case. Fitted with 256MB of 1.6ns 256-bit GDDR3 memory the standard clock speeds are again 400MHz core and 490MHz memory (980MHz effective). On this model the bundled Sapphire TRIXX overclocking tool can raise these speeds to 550 / 540MHz or better, depending on system conditions.

All new cards support Microsoft DirectX 9 and incorporates ATI's SmartShader and SmoothVision technologies.

Hydravision (Dual monitor operation) is supported on all versions, and the provision of both VGA and Video-Out connectors allows simple connection to CRTs, TFTs and TVs. Accessories provided include: S-Video cable, Composite Cable, DVI to VGA adapter and 7-pin S-Video to HDTV.