1.0 Introduction

Crucial is a division of Micron Technology INC, one of the largest dynamic random access memory (DRAM) manufacturers in the world.

Estabilished in 1996, Crucial is in Europe since 1999 where shortly imposed itself in the components market for personal computers by providing RAM Memory modules with both high engineering level and lower price comparing with similar products of competing firms. Since then, Crucial grew up including USB drives, Gizmo! drives, memory cards, card readers (see our Hi-Speed USB 12-in-1 review) and many different types of graphic cards based on ATI Radeon processors.

In the next we analyse the Crucial's Radeon X800 Pro architecture, functionalities and performances in gaming. This card uses the vpu ATI R420, 256Mb SDRam GDDR3 as local memory and an AGP 8x interface for giving to the final user both high performances in videogaming and the typical VIVO (Video In Video Out) features.

Today the Radeon X800 Pro is the top in AGP graphic controllers and, in the whole, it takes the second place only after the Radeon X850 XT 256Mb that has, yet, a PCI-Express interface.

Now we analyze the general specifications, the technology solutions and the system requirements to fully support this card.

2.0 General Specifications

• ATI R420 graphic processor;

• 12 parallel pixel pipelines;

• Fully supports Microsoft DirectX 9.0 and OpenGL 2.0;

• 256MB GDDR3 SDRAM memory;

• 256-bit quad-channel GDDR3 memory interface;

• 400MHz RAMDAC.

2.1 Technology Solutions

The Radeon X800 Pro takes the following technologies in order to maximize the system performances with 3D animations and with videogames.

• 3Dc, an innovative technology to give greater realism to the scenery and to the image detail of character art with increased performances and lower memory usage;

• SMARTSHADER HD, an advanced Pixel Shader engine capable of an incredible 6 gigapixels/second fill rate rendering in full precision;

• VIDEOSHADER HD, an engine for the shader processing, programmable; it gives a video quality enhancement, and betters the encoding and decoding of many video standards performances;

• SMOOTHVISION HD, Enhances image quality by removing jagged edges and brings out the finest texture detail without compromising performances;

• HYPER Z HD, a vpu ATI solution using the bandwidth-saving technology, in order to have high performances in rendering elaborated scenery and with shadows.

2.2 Output Interfaces

The Radeon X800 Pro can control together an analog screen, a digital screen and a TV at the same time using the output listed in the following. In this operating conditions the first two screens show two images distinct in general, whereas on the TV you can see an image that is a "clone" of one of the two images on the screens.

• VGA connector with 15 pind D-shell for analog CRT;

• DVI-I connector for CRT or DFP (Digital Flat Panel);

• S-video or composite connector for TV/VCR.

2.3 Input Interfaces

The Radeon X800 Pro can acquire a signal coming from a video source (TV, VCR, camera, etc.). Then, in case of need this card is equipped with a connector known as VIVO for connecting an input peripheral.

System Requirements

The Radeon X800 requires connection to your PC's internal power supply for operation. According to ATI specifications, the card needs a 300-watt power supply or greater to ensure normal system operation where a number of other internal devices are installed (hard drives, optical drives, etc.).

About the components, the videocard's right working needs:

• Intel Pentium 4 cpu , AMD Athlon or equivalent;

• Motherboard with bus AGP 8X (0.8V), 4X (1.5V), Universal AGP 3.0 (8X/4X);

• 128Mb of system memory at least;

• CD drive for the software installation;

• DVD drive for the DVD playback.

Supported Operating Systems

• Microsoft Windows XP;

• Microsoft Windows 2000;

• Microsoft Windows Media Center Edition.

In the next page we explain the graphics processor architecture and its features.

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VPU Architecture

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