Graphics and video card makers are adopting the latest GPUs to improve product functionality and expand markets.

High-performance discrete and external types lead product development initiatives in China’s graphics and video card industries. Manufacturers are working on models that support 3D and HD video playback and adopt 40nm processors and GDDR5 memory.

	The Giada GTX550Ti model from Shenzhen Jiehe uses an Nvidia GeForce GTX 550 Ti graphics engine and supports HDMI and HDCP.

Local companies are using GPUs from AMD and Nvidia to support such functions. The latest releases from the two providers include the Radeon HD 6990 and the GeForce GTX 590, which are based on AMD’s HD3D platform and Nvidia’s 3D Vision technology.

Aside from traditional configurations, makers are offering external USB video card variants. The majority of products have DVI, VGA or HDMI ports. In this category, wireless transmission and HD are expected to be the main trends.

Suppliers are concentrating on these enhancements to boost the lines amid an eroding market. Those providing mostly desktop PC-type discrete graphics cards for the DIY segment expect sales to decline in the years ahead. This is because integrated processors and embedded CPU graphics are encroaching even upon the low end.

In addition, main application tabletop computers are losing a significant shipment share to notebook and tablet counterparts.

In the video card segment, manufacturers are looking at GPU computing to help buoy the line. They are also capitalizing on the demand for two or more units in high-end gaming and workstation systems.

	Funtech's HD6950 model adopts the AMD Radeon HD 6950 GPU and supports DirectX.

Graphics & video cards range

Mainstream discrete graphics cards from China manufacturers have 512MB and 1 or 2GB GDDR5 memory, and 128/256-bit memory interface and PCI Express 2.0 port. Units support a maximum resolution of 1920x1200 pixels HDMI, 2048x1536 VGA and 2560x1600 DVI.

High-end variants adopt Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 590, 580, 570, 560 Ti, 480, 470, 465, 460, or AMD’s Radeon HD 6990, 6970, 6870, 6850, 5970 and 6790 GPUs.

Entry-level and midrange models use the GeForce GTX 550 Ti, GTS 450, GT 440, GT 430, or Radeon HD 5870, 5850, 5830, 5770 and 5750.

The HD6950 model from Funtech Enterprise Co. Ltd adopts the AMD Radeon HD 6950 GPU with an 800MHz clock. The dual-cooler unit has 2GB GDDR5, 256-bit interface and PCI Express 2.0 x16 bus. Output connectors include an HDMI, two DVI-I and two DVI-M ports.

External USB 2.0 video cards support CRT and LCD screens and projector displays, and come with VGA, DVI and HDMI ports. The maximum resolution is 1920x1080, 1600x1200, 2048x1152 or 1920x1200 pixels. A/V signals are transferred to DVI, VGA or HDMI via USB 2.0.

The main components in graphics and video card production are the GPU, memory and cooler. China manufacturers turn primarily to AMD and Nvidia for the first, and Samsung and Hynix for GDDR5.

For coolers, companies use locally made aluminum alloy fans. Export price reductions for the rest of the year are projected to stay within 5 percent.

Related report:
Graphics cards: Discrete graphics & sound cards for desktop PCs staple

Product gallery

Product gallery Funtech Enterprise Co. Ltd Model: HD6950 Description: Graphics type; AMD Radeon HD 6950 GPU; 2GB GDDR5, 256-bit; 400MHz RAMDAC; 176GB/s bandwidth; 28.2Gtex/s; PCI Express 2.0 x16 bus; 800/5,000MHz GPU/memory clocks; dual coolers; one HDMI, dual DVI-I, two DVI-M ports

Funtech Enterprise Co. Ltd Model: HD5670 Description: Graphics type; AMD Radeon HD 5670 GPU; 512MB GDDR5, 128-bit; 400MHz RAMDAC; 64GB/s bandwidth; PCI Express 2.0 x16 bus; 775/4,000MHz GPU/memory clocks; 400SP; copper cooler; VGA, DVI, HDMI ports; DirectX 11, Shader Model 5.0, OpenGL 3.1

Funtech Enterprise Co. Ltd Model: HD6850 Description: Graphics type; AMD Radeon HD 6850 GPU; 1GB GDDR5, 256-bit; 400MHz RAMDAC; 960SP; 32 ROPs; 775/4,000MHz GPU/memory clocks; dual coolers; one HDMI, two DVI-I, two DVI-M ports

Shenzhen Jiehe Technology Development Co. Ltd Model: Giada GTX560 Description: Graphics type; Nvidia GeForce GTX 560 GPU; 1/2GB GDDR5, 256-bit; PCI Express 2.0 bus; 2048x1536 pixels D-Sub, 2560x1600 DVI; 810MHz engine, 1.62GHz shader, 2GHz x 2 memory clocks; Nvidia Cuda, PhysX, SLI support; DirectX 11; one D-Sub, two DVI, one Mini-HDMI ports; HDCP

Shenzhen Jiehe Technology Development Co. Ltd Model: Giada GTX560Ti Description: Graphics type; Nvidia GeForce GTX 560 Ti GPU; 1GB GDDR5, 256-bit; PCI Express 2.0 bus; 2048x1536 pixels D-Sub, 2560x1600 DVI; 840MHz engine, 1.68GHz shader, 2.1GHz x 2 memory clocks; Nvidia Cuda, PhysX, SLI support; DirectX 11; one D-Sub, two DVI, one Mini-HDMI ports

Shenzhen Jiehe Technology Development Co. Ltd Model: Giada GTX550Ti Description: Graphics type; Nvidia GeForce GTX 550 Ti GPU; 1GB GDDR5, 192-bit; PCI Express 2.0 bus; 2048x1536 pixels D-Sub, 2560x1600 DVI; 840MHz engine, 1.68GHz shader, 2.1GHz x 2 memory clocks; Nvidia Cuda, PhysX, SLI support; DirectX 11; one D-Sub, two DVI, one Mini-HDMI ports

Winstars Technology Ltd Model: WS-UG17H2 MOQ: 1,000 units Delivery: 35 days Description: External video type; for PC/laptop connection to LCD or HDTVs; 1080p; up to six displays; primary, extended, mirror, rotate functions; HDMI port; Windows 2000, XP, Vista, 7, Mac OS; no power adapter required

Winstars Technology Ltd Model: WS-UG17H1 MOQ: 1,000 units Delivery: 35 days Description: External video type; 1920x1080, 1600x1200 pixels; primary, extended, mirror, rotate functions; 0, 90, 180, 270-degree rotation; USB 2.0, HDMI ports; built-in 2.1-channel stereo sound effects; Windows 2000, XP, Vista, 7, Mac OS; no power adapter required

Winstars Technology Ltd Model: WS-UG19D1 MOQ: 1,000 units Delivery: 35 days Description: External video type; 2048x1152, 1920x1200 pixels; primary, extended, mirror, rotate functions; 0, 90, 180, 270-degree rotation; USB 2.0, DVI ports, optional VGA and HDMI; Windows 2000, XP, Vista, 7, Mac OS; 5V power consumption

Note: This article "3D/HD playback, GDDR5 memory drive graphics and video card R&D" was originally published by Global Sources, a leading business-to-business media company and a primary facilitator of trade with China manufacturers and India suppliers, providing essential sourcing information to volume buyers through our e-magazines, trade shows and industry research.

All price quotes in this report are in US dollars unless otherwise specified. FOB prices were provided by the companies interviewed only as reference prices at the time of interview and may have changed.

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