14 DAY TRIAL // Asustek has just introduced its MA3850M graphics card offering, world's first single-chip unit of its kind, equipped with a stand-alone color processor. Based on a mobile version of ATI's Radeon HD 3850 graphics core, the new card builds on the performance of a generic graphics card but cuts down on energy requirements.
The Splendid MA3850M card has a modular structure, and is 27 percent shorter than an average PCI-Express graphics card. It can be successfully used even in small-firm factor computers but it would take two PCI slots. Moreover, its design is extremely fashionable, as all the components are soldered on an intense-black PCB layer. System integrators can choose a transparent computer case and mount the graphics card "in plain view" for an enhanced artistic effect.
The card also packs Asustek's Splendid HD processor that increases the image quality and delivers life-like visual effects. All the processing is done locally, while the central processing unit can work on other tasks. Asustek's Splendid MA3850M model is extremely suitable for home-theater PC systems: its ability to render vibrant colors at no extra CPU load means that the cooling solutions for the entire system can be reduced to a minimum, along with the residual noise.
The manufacturer does not pitch the graphics card at the gaming market, despite the fact that it is DirectX 10 compatible and its performance is on par with a fully-fledged Radeon HD 3850 VGA card. Instead, it touts its product as the best way to enjoy digital movies on the PC monitor. The Splendid processor features 7-region color enhancement, 12-bit gamma correction, real-time 2D peaking and a dynamic contrast engine.
However, users who would like to take a ride in the gaming world can choose the optimal display mode among a wide range of presets, including a Photo Mode, Video Mode, and Game Mode. The manufacturer did not announce availability or pricing for this new graphics product.