AMD targets digital media and CAD markets with FirePro V4900 graphics card

Chip maker promises two-fold apps performance boost

AMD has released a graphics card aimed at the entry-level professional graphics market, including such fields as computer-aided design and digital content creation.

The company said that early tests of the FirePro V4900 have shown a two-fold improvement in application performance over previous-generation cards.

The V4900 is based on AMD's Eyefinity platform, and supports 1GB of GDDR memory, up to six monitor connections, OpenGL 4.2, OpenCL and DirectX 11.

"The AMD FirePro V4900 stands in a league of its own and redefines entry-level professional graphics card capabilities," said AMD's general manager of professional graphics, Sandeep Gupte.

"The V4900 leverages AMD's most advanced graphics technology, which not only enhances user experience and boosts performance of professional applications, but features AMD Eyefinity multi-display technology that supports up to six displays, increasing user productivity."

The company plans to introduce the cards in systems from Dell, HP and Fujitsu, and is offering the V4900 to resellers for $189.

The release comes as AMD is overhauling its processor and graphics card lines. The company introduced improvements to the mid-market V5900 line in May, and updated its CPU line in September with the launch of the Bulldozer processor platform.