Budget high definition graphics for PCs

Nvidia has launched two high definition (HD) graphics processing units (GPUs) for the mainstream PC graphics market.

The new entry-level Geforce 7300 LE and midrange Geforce 7600 GS are both HD-capable but will boast budget prices in the £70-£90 range.

The Geforce 7300 LE, formerly only available to PC manufacturers, supports video up to 1,080i, while the Geforce 7600 GS also supports HD video but comes with more memory and support for SLI technology, which allows users to run two cards in the same PC simultaneously.

Both products have been built to take advantage of Microsoft's forthcoming Vista operating system but, thanks to delays, consumers won't see Vista until early 2007.

Cards sporting the new GPUs are due this month from card manufacturers including Aopen, Asustek Chaintech Computer, Club3D, ELSA, Gainward, Gigabyte Technology, MSI and XFX among others.