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One of the key aspects of providing sustained performance for complex applications is having a large amount of available memory bandwidth to feed the GPU. In addition to being the first 512-bit GPU, Parhelia-512 is also the first mainstream GPU to incorporate a true 256-bit DDR memory interface, delivering an unprecedented 20 gigabytes per second (GB/s) of memory bandwidth. Forming the backbone of the rendering and display engine, this high bandwidth architecture allows Parhelia-512 to offer the highest performance for 2D, 3D, DVD and video. Additionally, this high level of performance is sustained during the most complex rendering scenarios, even during high resolution, multi-display computing.

10-bit GigaColor Technology
The highest color fidelity for 2D, 3D, DVD and video

The first graphics technology to support true 10-bit per color channel, Parhelia-512 is capable of simultaneously displaying over one billion colors. Full 10-bit color precision is available for 2D, 3D, DVD and video. It is maintained throughout the graphics pipeline, which includes 10-bit RGB frame buffers, dual 10-bit RAMDACs and a 10-bit TV encoder. Moreover, each 10-bit RAMDAC is fully gamma correctable for precise color matching. GigaColor is a forward-looking technology, which provides an exceptionally vibrant Windows® desktop, the richest graphics, as well as the sharpest 3D images and in-game graphics.

UltraSharp Display Output Technology
The highest-quality analog, digital and TV output

Building on Matrox's unparalleled display output quality, Parhelia-512's display output subsystem integrates a sophisticated new design that delivers the highest-fidelity RGB, DVI and TV outputs. High-precision RAMDACs and advanced design techniques ensure that signal quality is maintained at the highest frequency desktop settings, resulting in flicker-free, ultra-crisp displays, free of any pixel ghosting, sparkling or shadowing artifacts. These techniques, combined with the most highly developed electronics and filters, deliver the highest-quality analog, digital and TV outputs—Matrox's best ever.

64 Super Sample Texture Filtering
Highest quality advanced filtering with sustained performance

Parhelia-512 integrates the world's most advanced texture filtering units allowing for the dynamic allocation of up to 64 texture samples per clock—double the number available on competing GPUs. These samples can be flexibly allocated to provide higher quality texture filtering with minimal performance impact. For example, the 64 samples could be arranged to deliver: