XFX' New Radeon R9 and R7 Series Of Graphics Cards Are An Evolution

[btarunr]

XFX today unveiled the XFX Radeon R9 290X, R9 290, R9 280X, R9 270X, R7 260X and R7 250 graphics cards, XFX's first series of AMD GPUs with AMD's 2nd Generation GCN Architecture and PowerTune Technology designed for super optimized gaming performance. XFX's new GPUs also feature AMD's Mantle and AMD TrueAudio technology, the latest innovations that redefine the GPU by enabling both gamers and game developers with unprecedented audio and performance enhancements for compatible games.



XFX Ghost 2.0 Thermal Technology
The XFX Radeon R9 and R7 Series graphics cards are also the first introduction of the all-new XFX Ghost 2.0 thermal design, which is a substantial design evolution from the original Ghost thermal design introduced in 2012. XFX's new Ghost 2.0 features the same open airflow design for maximum cooling as well as a new lightweight poly carbonate construction for super high durability and heat resistance. A new two-piece design which protects PCB components from damage and dust and created a beautiful modern design unlike any other graphics card in history.

Unlocked Voltage
XFX graphics cards now feature higher voltage caps giving gamers the power to customize and truly push their graphics cards to the limit.

2nd Generation PowerTune Technology
The XFX R-Series of graphics cards will feature the second generation of AMD's PowerTune technology, which offers a substantial improvement over the previous generation. PowerTune features real-time voltage and clock speed optimization enables intelligent power monitoring to enable higher clock speeds and better performance in your favorite games. Tuning the card's settings allows you to hit its peak clock rate more often.

Mantle and Graphics Core Next (GCN) Architecture
The award-winning Graphics Core Next (GCN) architecture in the AMD Radeon R9 and R7 Series graphics cards continues to serve as a driving force behind the Unified Gaming Strategy, now comes together with the introduction of Mantle. Mantle empowers games like DICE's "Battlefield 4" to speak the natively with the Graphics Core Next architecture for a deeper level of hardware multi-platform compatibility.

TrueAudio Technology: World's First Programmable Audio Pipeline
XFX R-Series GPUs featuring AMD TrueAudio technology empowers game developers with a programmable audio pipeline on the GPU through a built-in audio signal processor which supports 150 sound sources vs the previous limitation of only 50 sounds. TrueAudio enables 7.1 surround through headphones and zero CPU overhead. This enables game to utilize more realistic environmental dynamics, a richer tapestry of sound effects, breathtaking directional audio and more.

Multi-Display Technology: Redesigned for Ultra-resolution Gaming
XFX Radeon R9 and R7 Series graphics cards are made for gaming on UltraHD (3840x2160) displays. Additionally, with AMD Eyefinity multi-display technology, gamers are free to use virtually any combination of display outputs when connecting matching monitors to the DVI or HDMI outputs on their system.
XFX Radeon R9 and R7 Series graphics cards will be available for purchase in the near future.

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[Scatler]

Those low end coolers look rather nice, though i assume the sound they will produce wouldn't be.

 

[VulkanBros]

I like them - clean and simple

 

[dj-electric]

Not a big fan of those DD coolers, at all. They are borderline to the term "advanced cooler"

 

[kn00tcn]

are 290x & 290 supposed to be part of the news text?

 

[buildzoid]

Not a big fan of those DD coolers, at all. They are borderline to the term "advanced cooler"

They actually fixed the heat issues this time around there's a review of it on Hardware Canucks
Link here: http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/foru...iews/63522-amd-radeon-r9-280x-3gb-review.html

 

[dj-electric]

Yeah i was taking about that one on the 270X, a rebadged HD 7870 DD

 

[Sempron Guy]

why can't they get rid of the that dang DD cooler ( v1 )

 

[Frick]

Gimme reviews for the low end cards already!

 

[theJesus]

Gimme reviews for the low end cards already!

^This. I want to see if an R7 250 can handle any gaming; it would fit great in my HTPC with these low-profile variants. I also want to find out if any of the LP coolers for it are at all quiet.

I'd like to see how it compares to the 7750

 

[Casecutter]

will feature the second generation of AMD's PowerTune technology, which offers a substantial improvement over the previous generation

I ask about revisions (if any) to PowerTune on the MSI R9 280X review, but never got a reply? Has AMD updated the way Boost Profile operate, or is this something exclusive to XFX?

Next would like clarification of Ghost and Double "D"... I thought Ghost was vapor chamber cooler and normally one fan, while D-D was traditional heat pipe cooler with double fan? Is there any real discernment as to what is what?

 

[Intel God]

You couldnt pay me to buy XFX. They're the bottom of the barrel anymore

 

[Tarkhein]

Next would like clarification of Ghost and Double "D"... I thought Ghost was vapor chamber cooler and normally one fan, while D-D was traditional heat pipe cooler with double fan? Is there any real discernment as to what is what?

Ghost = vapor chamber.
Double Dissipation = two fans.

You can have both since they're complementary - nothing stops you from having a vapor chamber and heatpipes and fans.

 

[PLAfiller]

That low profile R7 250 loookks HOOOOT to me! But I still don't get the naming scheme. If it was the old scheme will this be 8750? aka 7750 aka. the lower end of the mainstream class? like gts450?

 

[torgoth]

the 250/240 is like 6450? how well do you reckon they perform?

 

[Casecutter]

Ghost = vapor chamber.
Double Dissipation = two fans.

You can have both since they're complementary - nothing stops you from having a vapor chamber and heatpipes and fans.

Thanks that's how I though they (XFX) had it, but as you said not straight-forward as you pointed out. I suppose if they say it has Ghost it has a vapor chamber, while the rest you can just tell by looking and checking reviews.

the 250/240 is like 6450? how well do you reckon they perform?

I've yet to fully discern what the R7-250 (Oland XT) and R7-240 (Oland Pro). I keep reading they're " the only new 28Nm designs" baseed on alterations of the Cape Verde. With just 384/320 Sp vs the 7770/7750 640/512 Sp; said to more replace the 6670 and 6570. Which seems odd as such levels are right in the APU territory, a place I though AMD’s hope was to stop back-filling with discrete offerings.

The TPU data base has most everything on them.
http://www.techpowerup.com/gpudb/2459/radeon-r7-250.html
http://www.techpowerup.com/gpudb/2463/radeon-r7-240.html

 

[Ralfies]

That low profile R7 250 loookks HOOOOT to me! But I still don't get the naming scheme. If it was the old scheme will this be 8750? aka 7750 aka. the lower end of the mainstream class? like gts450?

In the old scheme, R7 250 would be the 8670. In fact, the only difference between the R7 250 and OEM 8670 is a 50Mhz boost.

Judging by reviews of the 7730 which has the same specs clocked much lower, the R7 250 shouldn't be too far off a 7750.

 

[PLAfiller]

In the old scheme, R7 250 would be the 8670. In fact, the only difference between the R7 250 and OEM 8670 is a 50Mhz boost.

Judging by reviews of the 7730 which has the same specs clocked much lower, the R7 250 shouldn't be too far off a 7750.

Thanks. So this will be their "most powerful LP card"? Similar in that sense to Sapphire 7750? Yeah, I know sapphire is 800mhz and R7 250 is 1000mhz. Because the next R7 260 is expectedly clocked at 1500mhz and has double the GFLOPS of the R7250. My sanity tells me there can't be so much power in a low-profile card for now. Source of my deduction this table: Comparison of AMD GPU

 

[Fx]

You couldnt pay me to buy XFX. They're the bottom of the barrel anymore

I have owned 4 XFX from low-end to high-end. They have performed well and the CS promptly supported my only issue.

 

[Ralfies]

Thanks. So this will be their "most powerful LP card"? Similar in that sense to Sapphire 7750? Yeah, I know sapphire is 800mhz and R7 250 is 1000mhz. Because the next R7 260 is expectedly clocked at 1500mhz and has double the GFLOPS of the R7250. My sanity tells me there can't be so much power in a low-profile card for now. Source of my deduction this table: Comparison of AMD GPU

Clocks don't tell the whole story. The R7 250 is clocked a lot higher than the 7750, but has 3/4 the shaders and 1/2 the ROP's. The 7750 will be slightly more powerful even though it's clocked much lower. As far as cards that are powered by only the PCIE slot, the 7750 is the most powerful card you can get with the R7 250 likely a little behind.

 

[Casecutter]

What strikes me is that a R7 250 (90 mm²) is 44% smaller part than the Bonaire (160 mm²), while more than half the transistors and even more cut in half on Render Configuration. Then when clocked the same (1Ghz) the Oland XT is a 65W TDP, the original Bonaire is 85W. Then look at the 7750, it was 55W; although at 800Mhz. Would OC a 7750 to 1Ghz make it hit 65W TDP (55+20%=66)? Heck at 7770 is an 80W part... Is it me, or was continuing from the Cape Verde architecture seem inefficient?

 

[swaaye]

It's something how there's only one new chip in the whole generation. It's interesting how the video card brand launches have "evolved" into this fill-in-the-product-line deal like other industries. All starting with the GeForce 4 MX....

But this "new" AMD and NV generation isn't very exciting to me. We need 20nm or whatever is next for manufacturing. That will be exciting and make this generation look like a waste of money. Both companies have new architectures to put on 20nm and it will add up.

 

[PLAfiller]

What strikes me is that a R7 250 (90 mm²) is 44% smaller part than the Bonaire (160 mm²), while more than half the transistors and even more cut in half on Render Configuration. Then when clocked the same (1Ghz) the Oland XT is a 65W TDP, the original Bonaire is 85W. Then look at the 7750, it was 55W; although at 800Mhz. Would OC a 7750 to 1Ghz make it hit 65W TDP (55+20%=66)? Heck at 7770 is an 80W part... Is it me, or was continuing from the Cape Verde architecture seem inefficient?

The 7750 is 55W with DDR3, the DDR5 version is rated 75W max. R7 250 at DDR5 is rated at 65W. Isn't it 10W less at the same memory speeds?

 

[Casecutter]

The 7750 is 55W with DDR3, the DDR5 version is rated 75W max. R7 250 at DDR5 is rated at 65W. Isn't it 10W less at the same memory speeds?

Well reference 7750 was GDDR5 Memory Clock: 1125 MHz (55W)
R7 250 data has Memory Clock 1150 MHz (65W)
7790 1500 MHz 85W


http://www.techpowerup.com/gpudb/309/radeon-hd-7750.html
http://www.techpowerup.com/gpudb/2459/radeon-r7-250.html
http://www.techpowerup.com/gpudb/2100/radeon-hd-7790.html

 

[Slomo4shO]

The XFX 280X DD seems to have an effective cooler but it doesn't overclock well

http://www.anandtech.com/show/7400/the-radeon-r9-280x-review-feat-asus-xfx/20