Advanced processing performances at affordable price points seems to be the latest trend among the most important video card chipset manufacturers, as the competition on the market is increasingly tougher and high-end, uber-expensive models are not exactly very successful. And following this trend, AMD has just revealed the ATI Radeon HD 3800 series of graphics processing units (GPUs), which are, according to the company, the world's first series of graphics processors to deliver Microsoft's DirectX 10.1 support, 55nm process technology and tri and quad multi-GPU support with ATI CrossFireX.

One of the most important features provided by the new video cards from AMD is the full support for the Unified Video Decoder (UVD), which ensures a high level of platform efficiency and image quality in HD-DVD and Blu-ray decoding for both H.264 and VC-1 specifications. Furthermore, the enhanced HDMI functionality also continues on this series of products with integrated HDCP and audio for HDMI video.

Moreover, with the introduction of the ATI Radeon HD 3800 series, AMD delivers the first graphics processor with support for Microsoft's upcoming DirectX 10.1 specification and also provides support for ATI CrossFireX, the company's innovative next-generation multi-GPU technology designed to deliver very high video performance levels with support for two, three and four graphics processors in CrossFire configurations. At launch, the ATI Radeon HD 3800 series will support dual-GPU CrossFire with tri and quad-GPU support scheduled for January 2008.

Furthermore, graphics bandwidth is also greatly enhanced with the introduction of PCI Express 2.0, capable of delivering over 16 gigabytes per second of bi-directional bandwidth, which, combined with the HyperTransport3 technology to be used on next-generation AMD platforms, will assure a huge increase in the amount of available system bandwidth.

The ATI Radeon HD 3800 series GPUs are the first graphics processors to use TSMC's 55nm process technology. The smooth transition to 55nm has allowed for a 12X increase in performance-per-watt over the previous generation with a significant reduction in die size. In addition to 55nm, AMD has also added its patented ATI PowerPlay technology to the ATI Radeon HD 3800 series to provide increased control over the graphics processor in multiple power states.

"With the introduction of the ATI Radeon HD 3800 series we are redefining the market for enthusiast graphics with a new class of price, performance and features that have never been seen before in this industry," said Rick Bergman, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Graphics Product Group, AMD. "Through a flawless transition to 55nm and Microsoft DirectX 10.1, we can deliver an unprecedented level of scalable performance, image quality enhancements and power efficiency at the sub- $200 segment that rivals today's most expensive graphics processors and opens up enthusiast gaming to more end users than ever before."

The first two models to be released in the ATI Radeon HD 3800 series are the 3850, which comes packed with 256MB of GDDR3 memory and will retail starting at around 180 US dollars and the 3870, which includes 512MB of GDDR4 memory and will retail starting at around 220 US dollars.