AMD has launched its two-GPU Radeon HD 4870 X2 graphic card, as expected, with a host of suppliers offering boards based on the design.

AMD claimed it's the "world's fastest" graphics card.

The first in our in-tray: Sapphire's HD 4870 X2. Both GPUs pack in 800 unified shaders in cores clocked at 750MHz. Each connects to 1GB of 900MHz GDDR 5 graphics memory, linked over a 256-bit bus.

Sapphire's HD 4870 X2: world's fastest?

The two-slot, actively cooled card sports the usual TV-out port and a pair of DVI slots - Sapphire includes adaptors for VGA and HDMI.

The two GPUs operate co-operatively using AMD's CrossFire X technology. Put two of the new cards in a system with a suitable motherboard, and all four GPUs can work together to render scenes.

The HD 4870 X2 is available from today at the $549 (£288/€369) price point. Gamers on a budget may prefer to wait until September when AMD will roll out the $399 (£209/€268) HD 4850 X2

The 4850 X2 uses the same GPU as the 4870 X2, but clocked to 625MHz. Boards will contain 2GB of GDDR 3 memory.

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