I must admit that I hardly ever post about graphics cards here on Krunker. However, one graphics card announcement today caught my eye – if only because it supports HDCP. It’s from SPARKLE Computer Company and it’s their latest GeForce 8400 GS based graphics cards. These cards are based on the NVIDIA G86 architecture and target entry level graphics users. Features include:

  • NVIDIA® unified architecture
    Fully unified shader core dynamically allocates processing power to geometry, vertex, physics, or pixel shading operations, delivering up to 2x the gaming performance of prior generation GPUs.
  • GigaThreadâ„¢ Technology
    Massively multi-threaded architecture supports thousands of independent, simultaneous threads, providing.
  • Full Microsoft® DirectX® 10 support
    World’s first DirectX 10 GPU with full Shader Model 4.0 support delivers unparalleled levels of graphics realism and film-quality effects.
  • NVIDIA® Lumenexâ„¢ Engine
    Delivers stunning image quality and floating point accuracy at ultra-fast frame rates: 16x Anti-aliasing: Lightning fast, high-quality anti-aliasing at up to 16x sample rates obliterates jagged edges 128-bit floating point High Dynamic-Range(HDR):Twice the precision of prior generations for incredibly realistic lighting effects-now with support for anti-aliasing.
  • NVIDIA® Quantum Effectsâ„¢ Technology
    Advanced shader processors architected for physics computation enable a new level of physics to be simulated and rendered on the GPU –all white freeing the CPU to run game engine and AI.
  • NVIDIA® ForceWare® Unified Driver Architecture (UDA)
    Delivers a proven record of compatibility reliability and stability with the widest range of games and applications ForceWare provides the best out-of-box experience and delivers continuous performance and feature updates over the life of NVIDIA GeForce GPUs.
  • OpenGL® 2.0 optimizations and support
    Ensures top-notch compatibility and performance for OpenGL applications.
  • NVIDIA® nView® Multi-Display Technology
    Advanced technology provides the ultimate in viewing flexibility and control for multiple monitors.
  • Dual 400MHz RAMDACs
    Blazing-fast RAMDACs support dual QXGA displays with ultra-high, ergonomic refresh rates –up to 2048×1536@85Hz.
  • One Single-link DVI Support:
    Able to drive the industry’s largest and highest resolution flat-panel displays up to 1920×1200.
  • NVIDIA PureVideo HD technology
    NVIDIA® PureVideo™ HD technology is the combination of high-definition movie decode acceleration and post-processing, HDCP circuitry, and integration with HD movie players that delivers the ultimate high-definition movie experience on a PC.
  • Discrete, Programmable Video Processor
    NVIDIA PureVideo is a discrete programmable processing core in NVIDIA GPUs that provides superb picture quality and ultra-smooth movies with low CPU utilization and power.
  • Hardware Decode Acceleration
    Provides ultra-smooth playback of H.264, VC-1, WMV and PEG-2 HD and SD movies.
  • Spatial-Temporal De-Interlacing
    Sharpens HD and standard definition interlaced content on progressive displays, delivering a crisp, clear picture that rivals high-end home-theater systems.
  • High-Quality Scaling
    Enlarges lower resolution movies and videos to HDTV resolutions, up to 1080i, while maintaining a clear, clean image. Also provides downscaling of videos, including high-definition, while preserving image detail.
  • Inverse Telecine (3:2 & 2:2 Pulldown Correction)
    Recovers original film images from films-converted-to-video (DVDs, 1080i HD content), providing more accurate movie playback and superior picture quality.
  • Bad Edit Correction
    When videos are edited after they have been converted from 24 to 25 or 30 frames, the edits can disrupt the normal 3:2 or 2:2 pulldown cadence. PureVideo uses advanced processing techniques to detect poor edits, recover the original content, and display perfect picture detail frame after frame for smooth, natural looking video.
  • Video Color Correction
    NVIDIA’s Color Correction Controls, such as Brightness, Contrast and Gamma Correction let you compensate for the different color characteristics of various RGB monitors and TVs ensuring movies are not too dark, overly bright, or washed out regardless of the video format or display type.
  • Integrated SD and HD TV Output
    Provides world-class TV-out functionality via Composite, S-Video, Component, DVI, or HDMI connections. Supports resolutions up to 1080p depending on connection type and TV capability.
  • HDCP Circuitry
    Designed to meet the output protection management (HDCP) and security specifications of the Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD formats, allowing the playback of encrypted movie content on PCs when connected to HDCP-compliant displays.
  • HD Movie Player Integration
    NVIDIA PureVideo HD technology powers the world’s leading HD movie player software applications, providing the optimal HD DVD and Blu-ray movie experience.
  • Noise Reduction:
    Improves movie image quality by removing unwanted artifacts.
  • Edge Enhancement:
    Sharpens movie images by providing higher contrast around lines and object.

Again – the only reason I found it interesting was the fact that these boards were entry level boards with HDCP support. If you’re looking to build a new computer with support for Blu-ray and/or HD DVD, you’ll absolutely want to get yourself an HDCP capable graphics card.

SPARKLE has two models here – the SF-PX84GS128U2LP-HP and the SF-PX84GS256U2LP-HP.

[Check it out]

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