S3 Graphics today announced its next generation Chrome 500 graphics processors, the Chrome 530 GT.

The GPU allows users to enjoy the latest Blu-ray playback, streaming HD video, DirectX 10.1, and OpenGL 3.0 applications on Microsoft Windows and Linux platforms.

The Chrome 500 Series suports Blu-ray picture-in-Picture features and 8-channel high fidelity audio with the S3 Graphics' built-in Dolby 7.1 digital surround sound processor. DirectX, OpenGL, and GPGPU applications can be efficiently processed with programmable shader cores to speed-up 3D and non-gaming functions.

Add-in cards featuring the first graphics accelerators from the new Chrome 500 series, the Chrome 530 GT, are available now on S3 Graphics GStore online retail outlet.

S3 Graphics Chrome 500 Series Highlights:

- Microsoft DirectX 10.1+ / OpenGL 3.0 Support: Chrome 500 supports the latest DirectX 10.1+ and OpenGL 3.0 graphics requirements to support the latest applications. Real-life 3D rendering and increased visual quality through improved Anti-aliasing (AA), Image/Texture improvements, higher precision formats, and programmable lighting effects allow users to experience the next level of 3D graphics.

- GPGPU (General Purpose GPU) Technology: Utilizing an array of S3 stream processors, the Chrome GPUs can accelerate parallel data workloads and perform work on thousands of concurrent threads to achieve Gigaflops (GFLOPS) of high-throughput computations. Applications that can utilize S3 GPGPU technologies include image processing, video transcoding, game physics, and many more.

- ChromotionHD Video Technology: Designed to offload video processing from the CPU and save overall system power, the ChromotionHD engine supports the latest HD standards including H.264, MPEG-2, VC-1, WMV-HD, and AVS.- Display and Audio Integration: Chrome 500 Series processors incorporate DisplayPort with HDCP, HDMI with HDCP, dual-link DVI with HDCP, and dual-channel LVDS transmitters for complete connectivity to a full range of digital monitors and panels.

- Integrated Dolby 7.1 digital surround sound and HD Audio controllers are supported natively in the GPU.

- PCI Express2.0: Chrome 500 Series GPUs support the latest high throughput PCI Express 2.0 bus technology for bandwidth intensive applications and games. The faster connection speed also allows users to take advantage of additional S3 Graphics technologies such as AcceleRAM which leverages system memory for image data storage, and MultiChrome Multi-GPU technology to unleash almost twice the 3D rendering performance on games.

S3 Graphics Chrome 530 GT Graphics Card

The first product introduced to the market in the Chrome 500 Series, the S3 Graphics Chrome 530 GT features an upgraded video core capable of dual-stream, PiP Blu-ray playback at lower power and clock speeds.The video card's GPU is clocked at 625MHz and the 512MB GDDR2 memory onboard runs at 500MHz.

Equipped with HDCP capable DVI-I and HDMI ports, the Chrome 530 GT supports DirectX 10.1 and OpenGL 3.0 applications and consumes under 25W of power, making it ideal as the graphics of choice for HTPC (home theatre PCs), DIY enthusiasts or existing PC users.

The Chrome 530 GT add-in card is available now for $44.95.