AMD Fiji XT Reference PCB as Short as GTX 970 Reference, R9 295X2 Performance

[scorpion_amd13]

Sure, but I guess AMD also has to figure out how to cool such a chip. Why shouldn't all the after market cooler manufacturers be able to do the same? Also since when could you reuse an already existing GPU water cooler for a new generation of graphics cards (except maybe GTX 670 -> 970)? If so, than this is more a coincidence than intention.

If the rumors about this thing's TDP (about the same as the 290X) pan out to be true, cooling it will not be a problem. Manufacturer-specific custom coolers, such as Sapphire's TriX or VaporX coolers will be quite sufficient, even for overclocking, and will most likely stay pretty quiet too. Now factor in the water-cooled version, which is pretty much the same one that's on the 295X2 (except it has a single waterblock+pump assembly), it should be far more than adequate for anything you may want to do with this thing (record breakers will always use the fancier stuff, anyways).

Well, I suppose it all depends on the waterblock. Full-cover versions are indeed model specific, but waterblocks that only cover the GPU can be fitted on multiple cards, provided the retention system can either cope with the task or be modified or replaced easily.

What exactly are you referring to? I mean a precisely manufactured cooler surface incorporating the different heights of the chips areas isn't exactly easy to produce and even more complicated to assemble, let alone the costs of all this precision machining. Without an IHS to equally distribute the pressure from the retention system, you'd have to be very precise (read: single-digit µm range) to avoid destroying the GPU die or a HBM stack.

Anyways, this leads me to believe that either there will be an IHS with a flat surface towards the cooler or all the components on the GPU package (HBM an GPU die itself) will have the same height.

No, no, no, you got it all wrong. You don't need to fit the base on the HBM stacks as tightly as you would on the GPU itself. It's far more likely that they'd just "make a hole" where the HBM stacks are positioned and use ye olde thermal pads to cool them (you know, the same stuff they're currently using on memory chips). It should be enough to keep the HBM stacks cool and wouldn't require anywhere near the precision you're talking about. You also wouldn't need to worry about pressure distribution. It would be handled by the GPU and package frame, like before, since a lot less of it would actually rest on the HBM stacks (those pads are pretty soft, the pressure exerted on the HBM stacks would be either minimal, or a whole helluva lot less than the GPU has to cope with. They're probably going to use some sort of backplate because of the sheer size of the package itself, but that's about it.

No need for any sort of IHS whatsoever, or for all of the components on the GPU package (as you put it) to be of the same height. They'll (AMD) just need to make sure they leave enough room open for the heatpipes to pass through (between the HBM stacks), and that's all that would be necessary to fit current cooling systems with only minor modifications (basically, just the holes for the HBM stacks and a large enough retention system). Nothing more, nothing less.

 

[JMccovery]

This is what R9 390X WCE will look like. As some older reports suggested, it could even get a fancy name.

Inb4 R9 390XTXPE Uber Water Cooled Edition

 

[chinmi]

wait another 1 or 2 months, and nvidia usually will release a more faster, more smaller, more power efficient, and a bit more pricier. a 980ti perhaps ? probably a bit more expensive then 980, but less expensive then titan x.
if so, the those that buy a titan x is screwed by nvidia...

 

[Breit]

wait another 1 or 2 months, and nvidia usually will release a more faster, more smaller, more power efficient, and a bit more pricier. a 980ti perhaps ? probably a bit more expensive then 980, but less expensive then titan x.
if so, the those that buy a titan x is screwed by nvidia...

Who is talking about nVidia? This is a thread about the upcoming AMD cards...

 

[The Von Matrices]

Even though literally every gaming PC case has a 120mm slot, but not all of them have room for full length cards.

CPU closed loop coolers have already require a 120mm exhaust vent, and most small cases only have one exhaust vent. Once you need to make your case large enough to house two 120mm radiators, then you could also fit a standard-length GPU too.

 

[ZoneDymo]

CPU closed loop coolers have already require a 120mm exhaust vent, and most small cases only have one exhaust vent. Once you need to make your case large enough to house two 120mm radiators, then you could also fit a standard-length GPU too.

not really, totally depends how you make it and where you put everything.

 

[Xzibit]

My picture is real and yours is fake even though your picture looks just like mine. WTF!!!

Well at least one credible person has held it in his hands.

No word on solid performance or release date in Q2

 

[the54thvoid]

My picture is real and yours is fake even though your picture looks just like mine. WTF!!!

Well at least one credible person has held it in his hands.

No word on solid performance or release date in Q2

Given how far into Q2 we are it's worrying that there is no more info from leaks etc.
We pretty much all need this to be a competitor for Titan X to bring more realistic pricing back to the market.
Where's the info at, c'mon AMD, throw us a frickin' bone!

 

[THU31]

Nice specs, as usual. Too bad they will be crippled by horrible drivers and huge CPU overhead. It is a pity AMD have given up on their DX11 drivers, and are simply waiting for DX12 which will solve those problems on its own.

Remember the days when AMD were releasing a new driver every month?

 

[JMccovery]

Given how far into Q2 we are it's worrying that there is no more info from leaks etc.
We pretty much all need this to be a competitor for Titan X to bring more realistic pricing back to the market.
Where's the info at, c'mon AMD, throw us a frickin' bone!

We're only halfway through Q2, and basically everything says that there will be more info possibly at E3.

Patience, young grasshopper.

 

[TheinsanegamerN]

Nice specs, as usual. Too bad they will be crippled by horrible drivers and huge CPU overhead. It is a pity AMD have given up on their DX11 drivers, and are simply waiting for DX12 which will solve those problems on its own.

Remember the days when AMD were releasing a new driver every month?

The last year's worth of amd drivers have been quite nice. It isnt 2005 anymore. sure AMD might have more cpu overhead, but that isnt a problem unless you have a pentium or something similar.

 

[THU31]

You mean "go back to 2005"? They had a new driver every month back then.

Last year was great? Yeah, especially the first quarter of this year was great (one beta driver), and now Project CARS. But of course, NVIDIA paid everyone.

 

[the54thvoid]

We're only halfway through Q2, and basically everything says that there will be more info possibly at E3.

Patience, young grasshopper.

Patience? Nope, upgrade itch for potential 4k.

Young? Lol, I wish. Not as old as some but at 41, well, I suppose I have more cash now!

Besides, techies don't do patience

 

[GhostRyder]

Nice specs, as usual. Too bad they will be crippled by horrible drivers and huge CPU overhead. It is a pity AMD have given up on their DX11 drivers, and are simply waiting for DX12 which will solve those problems on its own.

Remember the days when AMD were releasing a new driver every month?

Great SCOTT, I have stepped into a time warp because apparently I am back in the mid 2000's!

The drivers have been great for a long time now dude...If they weren't most of us would not be buying their products no matter how cheap they are...

Patience? Nope, upgrade itch for potential 4k.

Young? Lol, I wish. Not as old as some but at 41, well, I suppose I have more cash now!

Besides, techies don't do patience

Right, I am getting beyond impatient just from curiosity. I already told myself I would not invest yet but this waiting game is starting to get on my nerves because we really need something. They must really be working on something for the card or they are waiting on the HBM memory to kick up production.

CPU closed loop coolers have already require a 120mm exhaust vent, and most small cases only have one exhaust vent. Once you need to make your case large enough to house two 120mm radiators, then you could also fit a standard-length GPU too.

I think that comes down to new cases versus old. Even small cases now though would at least have two 120mm spots to mount a AIO or two in this day even on the cheap but I know there are many cases who are limited still.

 

[THU31]

Read this article if you want to know how great AMD drivers are - http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2015-why-directx-12-is-a-gamechanger

 

[TheinsanegamerN]

You mean "go back to 2005"? They had a new driver every month back then.

Last year was great? Yeah, especially the first quarter of this year was great (one beta driver), and now Project CARS. But of course, NVIDIA paid everyone.

One driver? which one are you referring to, 15.1, 15.3 or 15.4? That looks like three drivers to me.

 

[Casecutter]

Given how far into Q2 we are it's worrying that there is no more info from leaks etc.

Well first of June to mid-month is still in Q2, and it been pretty much said the pacing issue for release is AMD having enough card to handle demand once they release.
I’d have to think with so fewer employee’s AMD’s keeping tightlipped is more manageable. As was Hawaii a calm strategy is paramount, nobody in these write-ups or forums have anything. AMD doesn’t need something taking a life of it’s own, as they realized some something like Bulldozer. Even the supposed contacts need to know that with less folks in the mix, the chance of being found as a source of a leak is much higher odds than it was years back. Less AIB contacts are willing to divulge information past what that is pretty much given, and I’m sure AMD has kept the pool same and need to know. While nobody wants to be the source that was privy to some piece of counter information to see where and who talks. We should "Keep Calm and Carry On."... as "Loose Lips Sink Ships!"

We pretty much all need this to be a competitor for Titan X to bring more realistic pricing back to the market. Where's the info at, c'mon AMD, throw us a frickin' bone!

That's the kind of "drumming" that doesn't enhance the topic. I say AMD doesn't need to best TitanX, it just needs to once again ostracize it. As they’ve in the past like what 4870 did to the GTX 280 back in June 2008, or Hawaii did with the GTX780 and Titan, it’s the shear performance to dollar that gamers savor most. Even those looking to scratch the itch for potential 4k on a single card this round (with 28nm) is a pipe dream, for other than the early adopter that are always willing to push to the edge.

 

[xLegendary]

From my contacts, Fiji wont even be named 390....
Think of Titan kinda of naming

 

[Caring1]

From my contacts, Fiji wont even be named 390....
Think of Titan kinda of naming

Like Poseidon God of watercooling?
It's also a resort in Fiji.

 

[HumanSmoke]

Like Poseidon God of watercooling?
It's also a resort in Fiji.

It's also a range of Nvidia based Asus models.

Sulis (Celtic goddess of hot springs) is still free.

 

[Caring1]

It's also a range of Nvidia based Asus models.

Yeah I know, wouldn't that annoy the crap out of Nvidia
Pretty sure the name cant be subject to copyright as the name is in common use.

 

[HumanSmoke]

Yeah I know, wouldn't that annoy the crap out of Nvidia

I doubt it - it has nothing to do with Nvidia, although Asus might have something to say on the matter.
Naming the card after an Nvidia-themed range of SKU's would just reinforce the perception that AMD is a follower, not a leader...although that hasn't deterred them in the past (i.e. when AMD blatantly copied Intel's naming processor convention such as: family-four digit proc code- "K" unlocked). I think Nvidia would be more perturbed if AMD copied some of their other traits - like designing an air cooler that didn't instantly turn into an internet meme, or turning a profit

Edited to appease scorpion_amd13

 

[scorpion_amd13]

I think Nvidia would be more perturbed if AMD copied some of their other traits - like designing an air cooler that didn't instantly turn into an internet meme, or turning a profit

Are you sure you want to start a conversation about graphics card coolers turning into internet memes? I'm asking because if so, nVidia got there first a long, long time ago...

 

[HumanSmoke]

Are you sure you want to start a conversation about graphics card coolers turning into internet memes? I'm asking because if so, nVidia got there first a long, long time ago...

Sure, why not - derision from bad design should be a universal concept
.One company learned after a shockingly bad FX 5800U ( I even posted a video of it on these very forums not so long ago) while one company parlayed the HD6990's cruddy cooler into the equally derided reference 7970...7990...and (hopefully) finally the reference 290/290X.

One company seemingly learns from its own mistakes, and one company learns nothing from history - or is blissfully ignorant of public opinion.

 

[scorpion_amd13]

Sure, why not - derision from bad design should be a universal concept
.One company learned after a shockingly bad FX 5800U ( I even posted a video of it on these very forums not so long ago) while one company parlayed the HD6990's cruddy cooler into the equally derided reference 7970...7990...and (hopefully) finally the reference 290/290X.

One company seemingly learns from its own mistakes, and one company learns nothing from history - or is blissfully ignorant of public opinion.

I think you're forgetting a few, my friend. Ever seen, or rather heard, a GTX 480 in action? Or the GTX 590 and the GTX 295? I've even had the dubious pleasure of listening to a GTX 760 reference design board (thankfully, they were never released to the public, and were only sent in for reviews).

Sure, nVidia has learned a lot when it comes to cooling high-end GPUs in a more or less silent manner. But that's pretty much because they had to. They rarely (if ever) allow their partners to mount their own custom coolers on high-end cards (see: the Titans), so of course they need to come up with something that can handle the heat (pun intended).

Now don't get me wrong, I wholeheartedly agree with everything you've said about the stock coolers for the 6990/7970/7990/290/290X. They really were piss-poor. But, at least when it came to the single-GPU models, you'd get tons of models fitted with custom coolers from every AMD partner under the sun soon after launch day. The 290/290X custom boards were particularly well done, my personal favorites being Sapphire's TriX and Vapor-X models. I never ever heard anyone complain about them, and I know quite a lot of people that bought such beasts.

On the other hand, AMD has shown that they get why a proper stock cooler is important with the 295X2. That thing stayed both cool and quiet. And if the rumors pan out (which they should), you'll get water-cooled 390X boards at launch day. A bit later on you'll be able to buy custom air cooled versions. It all comes down to options, really. And right now, AMD offers the largest number of options. With nVidia, you get the stock cooler and that's it. If you want something more, you'd better be prepared to dive deep into ye olde wallet to get a water cooling setup going. Personally, I like AMD's approach a lot more because I don't have a compulsion to buy a new card the instant it is released.