Sapphire PURE Innovation - ATI's Chipset for the AMD Enthusiast
by Wesley Fink on July 29, 2005 12:05 AM EST- Posted in
- Motherboards
ATI Reference Boards
ATI's code name for the single-GPU slot Intel board is Jaguar.You will see Jaguar featured on single-GPU designs for Intel Socket 775.
The Dual-GPU version for Intel was developed with the Stingray code name.
Asus, Gigabyte, ECS, Abit, Sapphire, HIS and TUL will market Stingray as ATI Crossfire Intel.
The single GPU slot AMD solution is code-named Grouper.
The Grouper was an ATI design for Sapphire, and the Sapphire PURE Innovation evaluated in this review is basically the Grouper design. ATI tells us that several other manufacturers may also market similar single-GPU boards with a full range of overclocking controls to the enthusiast market.
The main focus of this Part 1 is the Sapphire PI-A9RX480, which is essentially the ATI Grouper Reference Board.
The Dual-GPU version for AMD is known by the code name of Halibut.
MSI, DFI, Gigabyte, Abit, ECS, Sapphire and TUL will market Halibut as ATI Crossfire AMD.
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somu - Friday, July 29, 2005 - link
only thing that i would like to know is the pricing, since its on par performance wise with the other entusiast boards, the one thing that will seperate itself will be pricing.L3p3rM355i4h - Friday, July 29, 2005 - link
WTF, these aren't bartons! Props to ATi for including something that high. 4.0vdimm is good too.The white PCB is....interesting, to say the least. Just going to leave it at that. ;)
If these are actually out in Mid-October/Nov. I'm def. going to get one.
L3p3rM355i4h - Friday, July 29, 2005 - link
WTF, these aren't bartons! Props to ATi for including something that high. 4.0vdimm is good too.The white PCB is....interesting, to say the least. Just going to leave it at that. ;)
If these are actually out in Mid-October/Nov. I'm def. going to get one.
erinlegault - Friday, July 29, 2005 - link
I am impressed to say the least. IGP versions will be coming along with Crossfire versions. There are 4 different flavours coming and 8 if you count the addition of IGP. This may lead to a breakthrough into the OEM's. The true test will be how the intel chipset performs.Excellent job ATI!
Quiksel - Friday, July 29, 2005 - link
That white mobo is supa hot. When I saw that pic, my jaw dropped. PRETTY MOBO.Too bad I'm an all-Mac shop now. I need a mobo like this in my G4. :-P
Chef Brian - Friday, July 29, 2005 - link
I wanted to buy this mobo when I saw the awesome colours, but the featureset sealed the deal. If this board can overclock like it should, I will buy it without any further question. This has massive potential..fitten - Friday, July 29, 2005 - link
Just think.... now if they just had a TypeR sticker on it somewhere... :rolleyes:xsilver - Friday, July 29, 2005 - link
is there any mention of the price? Competitive performance at a non competitive price still means little for ATIand also the limited availability (ala rs480) might also kill some of this products hopes
hopefully though they will make a spash and give nvidia a kick in the pants to lower their prices :)
jab98 - Friday, July 29, 2005 - link
Nice to finally see a amd64 board with decent quality onboard audio, wonder if anyone will revise their nf4 boards to support the better codcec?Zebo - Friday, July 29, 2005 - link
I guess you missed the MSI with on-board SBlive?