AMD started sending editors / VGA reviewers of some leading tech websites envelopes labeled "Top Secret." In it, are Polaroid-sized photos of the editors. In each photo, there are two pictures of the same editor, with a cryptic handwritten note that reads "Wouldn't you agree that two is better than one?" Two such pictures are posted below, by our friends from AnandTech and PC Perspective. This stunt is leading some to believe that AMD is ready with a dual-GPU graphics card based on its "Hawaii" silicon, given that it began guerrilla-marketing it.

Given how power-hungry a single-GPU Radeon R9 290X is, the only way AMD can build a dual-GPU card that doesn't outdo your hairdryer in power consumption (and possibly noise), is by toning each GPU down in specifications. The "Hawaii" silicon could either be configured similar to the R9 290 (i.e. 2,560 SPs, 160 TMUs), with lower clock speeds; or tone it down even further, by disabling more GCN compute units. There's also the option of narrowing down the memory bus and ROP count.

Price wars between GPU makers are something to look forward to each year, as that's typically when you get the best bang for your buck. Such an optimal time to buy new graphics cards usually comes when both AMD and NVIDIA have launched a new graphics card lineup, each. AMD tends to launch its lineup first, followed by NVIDIA, which then begins a cycle of proactive and reactive price-cuts between the two, which churns up the $300 price-performance sweet-spot so well, that a purchase from that segment usually sets your PC up for the following three years. 2013-14 saw a major disruption to this cycle, Litecoin mining. Litecoin miners will hurt more than help brand AMD Radeon, here's why.

According to a product page that popped up on Overclockers UK, in about a month HIS (Hightech Information System) will be releasing a custom-cooled graphics card powered by AMD's Hawaii GPU. The card is question is known as the Radeon R9 290X IceQ X2 Turbo and it comes equipped with the IceQ X2 cooler boasting two 89 mm fans as well as two 8 mm and three 6 mm heatpipes.

HIS' upcoming card also has 2816 Stream Processors, a 512-bit memory interface, 4 GB of GDDR5 VRAM, 8-pin and 6-pin PCIe power connectors, dual-DVI, HDMI and DIsplayPort outputs, and it comes bundled with a voucher of EA's Battlefield 4. The Radeon R9 290X IceQ X2 Turbo doesn't seem to have final clocks (they aren't mentioned) but there is a price tag (£499.99) and a shipping estimate (January 24th).

While no announcement was made Gigabyte went on and published on its website details on two custom-cooled and factory-overlocked graphics cards powered by AMD's Hawaii GPU, the GV-R929XOC-4GD (Radeon R9 290X) and GV-R929OC-4GD (Radeon R9 290).

Pictured below, both cards come equipped with the dual-slot WindForce 3X 450W cooling solution (three fans, 6 mm and 8 mm heatpipes), and feature a PCI-Express 3.0 x16 interface, a GPU clock of 1040 MHz (the stock R9 290X/290 go up to 1000/947 MHz), a 512-bit memory interface, 4 GB of GDDR5 VRAM @ 5000 MHz, and dual-DVI, HDMI and DisplayPort outputs. The cards' prices are still unknown.

MSI just teased a new VGA cooling solution it's working on, which will likely feature on its upcoming Radeon R9 290 series graphics cards. It's expected to be a long and tall variant of TwinFrozr IV designed for high-end chips like GK110 and "Hawaii," and will feature a frosty see-through acrylic shroud covering the aluminium fin-stack heatsink. TwinFrozr IV is MSI's workhorse VGA cooler for its Gaming, Lightning, and HAWK series of factory-overclocked graphics cards.

Here are the first pictures of a custom-design PCB for AMD's 28 nm "Hawaii" silicon. Pictured below is a pallet (a set of two uncut PCBs that are just punched, wired and stacked) of the MSI Radeon R9 290X Lightning. It exposes both the obverse and reverse sides of the PCB. MSI is taking no chances in giving "Hawaii" a strong electrical muscle, given that it's quite possibly the most power hungry GPU out there (even if not the GPU with the most transistors).

The MSI Radeon R9 290X Lightning PCB features a 15+2 phase VRM that draws power from a trio of power connectors, which is a first for single-GPU graphics cards. These include two 8-pin connectors, and a 6-pin. One can also make out three 4-pin fan connectors, and a few voltage measurement points. Display connectors include a pair of piggy-backed DVI connectors, and the usual DisplayPort and HDMI fare. The PCB overall, appears to be a good centimeter taller than what constitutes as "full-height" for add-on cards. The extra height creates room for a BIOS switch, some VRM circuitry, and the power connectors.

AMD is serious about putting two 6.2 billion-transistor "Hawaii" GPUs onto a single board, in a future dual-GPU graphics card it reportedly codenamed "Vesuvius," after the famous volcanic peak just off the coast of Naples. The card will feature two "Hawaii" GPUs with core configurations that are unknown at this point, but the source suggests it's in the maxed out "XT" configuration. AMD could, of course tinker with clock speeds, compared to the GHz-range Radeon R9 290X. We can't even imagine how AMD will handle power and thermals, given how its handling of the two on the R9 290X has been less than exemplary.

Colorfire, the AMD Radeon wing of Colorful, announced its Radeon R9 290 graphics card. The card sticks to the reference design (a first for Colorful/Colorfire), and features reference clock speeds of 947 MHz core, and 5.00 GHz memory (GDDR5-effective). Based on the 28 nm "Hawaii" silicon, the Radeon R9 290 features 2,560 Graphics CoreNext stream processors, 160 TMUs, 64 ROPs, and a 512-bit wide GDDR5 memory interface, holding 4 GB of memory. We expect the company to roll out the card in Greater China region only.

Sapphire announced its Radeon R9 290 graphics card, which sticks to AMD's reference design, and tops it up with its own branding and artwork. Based on the 28 nm "Hawaii" silicon, the card features 2560 stream processors, 160 TMUs, 64 ROPs, and a 512-bit wide GDDR5 memory interface, holding 4 GB of memory. Sapphire is pricing its card at US $399.99.

MSI is pleased to announce that the new AMD R9 290 is available now for gamers shift away from the mainstream Full HD resolution and enter the work of 4K/UltraHD! Built on the refined Graphics Core Next (GCN) Architeture, featuring more advanced PowerTune power management, improved display connection flexibility and most importantly enthusiast-level gaming performance. Additionally, the new AMD R9 290 supports the latest industry standards such as Windows 8.1, DirectX11.2, OpenGL 4.3, OpenCL 1.2 and the new Mantle interface which leverages the next-gen console technology and Radeon Graphics. UltraHD or "4K" (4Kx2K resolution) is also supported over both DisplayPort and HDMI and supports up to six independent concurrent displays.

The new Hawaii Pro GPU powering the R9 290 runs at speeds up to 948 MHz and is packed with 4 GB of high speed GDDR5 to power your games running at the highest resolutions and with maximum detail settings. AMD's PowerTune technology controls Thermals, Power and Performance to maximize performance and minimize power consumption.

AMD announced the Radeon R9 290, its second graphics card based on the swanky new "Hawaii" silicon. The card is a slight cut-down of the R9 290X, and features 2,560 Graphics CoreNext stream processors, 160 TMUs, 64 ROPs, and a 512-bit wide GDDR5 memory interface, holding 4 GB of memory. The core is clocked at 948 MHz, and the memory at 5.00 GHz, churning out a memory bandwidth of 320 GB/s. The reference design board of the R9 290 is practically identical to its older sibling. AMD is pricing the card at an impressive $399, a price at which it will make both the $330 GeForce GTX 770 and the $499 GeForce GTX 780 look repulsively overpriced. Non-reference boards are expected to arrive by late-November, in time for last-minute X'mas purchases.

TUL Corporation, a leading manufacturer of AMD graphic cards, today add other choice into R9 series for hardcore gamers, the PowerColor R9 290 OC. Based on brand new "Hawaii" GPU, the R9 290 offers gamers latest DirectX 11.2 support, delivering fierce performance and revolutionary intelligence. Meanwhile, users are available to experience 4K ultra resolution gaming now without sacrificing a single detail.

The PowerColor R9 290 OC is built with AMD "Hawaii" GPU, which utilizes the latest GCN architecture, and 2560 stream processors, providing best performance without compromise. Also, The R9 290 OC use the highest standard memory with 4G GDDR5, clocked at 975 MHz of core which is 30 MHz above reference board, together with 1200 MHz memory clocks, offering gamers an immediate framerate gain. Furthermore, sharing the same memory interface, 512-bit, with R9 290X, successfully tackles demanding games titles without effort.

MSRP (before taxes) pricing of AMD's upcoming Radeon R9 290 (non-X) being around $450 is looking increasingly likely. In a string of reports that Japanese publication Hermitage Akihabara published ahead of launches of the R9 290X and the R9 290, in which the publication talked about pricing in the country, a price difference of roughly 18 percent is emerging between the two. Applying that to the $549.99 MSRP of the R9 290X stateside, one can derive a $450 pricing for the R9 290. Granted, local taxation may greatly vary between Japan and other markets, affecting the end-user price, but pre-tax MSRPs can be consistent.

The Radeon R9 290 is expected to launch on the 5th of November, 2013. Based on the same "Hawaii" silicon as the Radeon R9 290X, it features 2,560 Graphics CoreNext stream processors, 160 TMUs, 64 ROPs, and a 512-bit wide GDDR5 memory interface, holding 4 GB of memory. Its core is clocked around 948 MHz, and memory at 5.00 GHz.

If these performance numbers posted by credible reviewers at OCUK hold up, then AMD could have a second, more affordable graphics card for you, which outperforms NVIDIA's GeForce GTX 780, at least in synthetic benchmarks. In a brief performance run that spans synthetic tests, which included Unigine Heaven 3.0 at 1080p and 1440p resolutions, with normal level of tessellation; 3DMark 11 (performance preset) and 3DMark Fire Strike (both Normal and Extreme); the card we believe to be R9 290 (name blurred out in the graphs) is consistently faster than the GeForce GTX 780 reference, in the same bench.

Based on the same 28 nm "Hawaii" silicon as the Radeon R9 290X, the R9 290 is its more affordable sibling, featuring 2,560 Graphics CoreNext stream processors, 160 TMUs, 64 ROPs, and a 512-bit wide GDDR5 memory interface, holding 4 GB of memory. It features clock speeds of 947 MHz (core), and 5.00 GHz (memory, GDDR5-effective). There's no word on pricing, but it could be available from the 31st of October, 2013.

HIS announced its Radeon R9 290X graphics card duo, both of which stick to AMD's reference board design, with reference clock speeds of 1000 MHz core, and 5.00 GHz memory; and differ only with the packaging. The HIS R9 290X Fan is the base model, while the HIS R9 290X Fan Battlefield 4 Edition is practically the same card, but with an Origin key to Battlefield 4. The base model is priced at $549.99, while the Battlefield 4 Edition could charge a $25 premium over that (still cheaper than buying the game off Origin). Based on the 28 nm "Hawaii" silicon, the R9 290X features 2,816 stream processors, 176 TMUs, 4 Tessellation Units, 64 ROPs, and a 512-bit wide memory interface, holding 4 GB of GDDR5 memory.

XFX announced its Radeon R9 290X graphics card, the R9-290X-ENFC. The card is every bit identical to AMD's reference design, and includes an Origin key to Battlefield 4. Based on the 28 nm "Hawaii" silicon, it features 2,816 stream processors, 176 TMUs, 64 ROPs, 4 tessellation units, and a 512-bit wide GDDR5 memory interface, holding 4 GB of memory. It features reference clock speeds of 1000 MHz core, and 5.00 GHz memory. Available now, the XFX Radeon R9 290X is priced at $570.

Sapphire announced its Radeon R9 290X graphics card lineup, which includes a reference design board that sticks to AMD reference clock speeds of 1000 MHz core, and 5.00 GHz memory; and a Battlefield 4 Special Edition SKU that includes an Origin key to the game. Both products are based on AMD's reference board design. Based on the 28 nm "Hawaii" silicon, the R9 290X features 2,816 stream processors, 176 TMUs, 64 ROPs, 4 tessellation units, and a 512-bit wide GDDR5 memory interface, holding 4 GB of memory. The lineup starts at US $549.99.

Here's the first picture of an AIB-branded Radeon R9 290 (non-X) graphics card, the Club3D Radeon R9 290. The card sticks to AMD's reference board design, which like the Radeon R9 290X, could have exclusive market presence for a while, before AMD's add-in board (AIB) partners come up with their own board designs. This particular card features a factory-overclock, although we don't have the clock speeds at hand. The reference design clock speeds, which will be loaded into the card's failsafe secondary BIOS, will be 946 MHz core, and 5.00 GHz (GDDR5-effective) memory. Based on the 28 nm "Hawaii" silicon, the Radeon R9 290 features 2,560 stream processors, 160 TMUs, 64 ROPs, and a 512-bit wide GDDR5 memory interface, holding 4 GB of memory.

Around all the buzz surrounding the Radeon R9 290X, we're ignoring its smaller, more affordable sibling, the Radeon R9 290 (non-X). It's being reported that the SKU will be formally launched on the 31st of October, 2013. From leaked AMD presentation slides, we know that the R9 290 is based on the same 28 nm "Hawaii" silicon as the R9 290X, but with a lower stream processor count, standing at 2,560, and a proportionately lower TMU count, at 160. The rest of the components on the chip are untouched, it still features a 512-bit wide GDDR5 memory interface, holding 4 GB of memory. The GPU core is clocked up to 946 MHz, and memory at 5.00 GHz, churning out 320 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The leak also highlighted the review NDA lifting time for the R9 290X, which is tomorrow.

A HIS-branded AMD reference design Radeon R9 290X graphics card was taken apart by Expreview, revealing its cooling solution, the PCB, the VRM, and the star attraction, the company's new 28 nm "Hawaii" silicon. The pictures match with an earlier, blurrier leak from September. The cooling solution is typical AMD fare, with its copper plate covering the GPU, memory, and VRM areas, aluminium channels, and a lateral-flow fan. The PCB features the swanky new 7.08 billion-transistor chip from AMD, sixteen GDDR5 memory chips (all of which are on the obverse side), and the 5+1+1 phase VRM, which uses CPL-made chokes, IR-made DirectFETs, and a new IR-made VRM controller. The first reviews of the Radeon R9 290X should be published later this month. Find more pictures at the source.

An alleged company slide detailing the architecture of AMD's upcoming "Hawaii" GPU was leaked to the web, revealing a monstrous combination of components. The GPU maintains the same component hierarchy as "Tahiti." The most distinguishing feature here is that whereas "Tahiti" features two shader engines, "Hawaii" features four. What it translates to, is double the geometry processing power, four independent geometry processors with a tessellation unit each, and double the number of ROPs, at 64. Each shader unit features 11 compute units (CU), the number-crunching machinery of the GPU. Each CU holds 4 TMUs (texture memory units), and 64 stream processors.

The four shader engines of "Hawaii" are tied to a unified command processing structure, a 1 megabyte L2 cache, a 512-bit wide GDDR5 memory interfaces, and the ancillaries, that include the PCI-Express 3.0 x16 bus interface, six display controllers (six TMDS links in all), CrossFireX XDMA, and multimedia accelerators that include UVD (accelerates high-def video), VCE (video codec engine, accelerates multimedia codecs), and the new TrueAudio hardware DSP.

A leaked company slide by AMD confirmed that its high-end "Hawaii" silicon indeed features 64 raster operations units (ROPs). In reference to its predecessor, "Tahiti," the slide speaks of 2 times the ROPs (32 on "Tahiti") and 1.4 times the stream processors (2048 on "Tahiti," so 2816 on "Hawaii"). Other known specifications include up to 1 GHz GPU clock, up to 5.00 GHz memory clock, and a 512-bit wide GDDR5 memory interface, holding 4 GB of memory. Reviews of Radeon R9 290X could surface around mid-October.

Disappointed at the $729.99 Newegg.com pricing of the Radeon R9 290X? No worries. AMD's second SKU based on the "Hawaii" silicon could be lighter on the wallet. Japanese retailers leaked the specifications sheets of both the upcoming R9 290X, and its lighter sibling, the R9 290 (non-X). Specifications of the R9 290X match rumors. The chip features 2,816 stream processors, up to 1000 MHz of GPU clock, single-precision floating point performance of 5.16 TFLOP/s, and 4 GB of GDDR5 memory across a 512-bit wide memory interface, clocked at 5.00 GHz, yielding 320 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The R9 290, on the other hand, features 2,560 stream processors, up to 948 MHz GPU clocks, 4.9 TFLOP/s single-precision floating point performance, and the same memory subsystem as the R9 290X. Both cards feature an identical combination of power connectors, 8-pin PCIe and 6-pin PCIe. Both feature hardware support for DirectX 11.2, OpenGL 4.3, and Mantle.

AMD's next-generation flagship graphics card, the Radeon R9 290X, could strike a US $599.99 (or 499.99€, £399.99 before taxes) price-point, turning up the heat on the more expensive offerings by NVIDIA - GeForce GTX 780 and GTX TITAN. The card should be available from mid-October. Based on the new 28 nm "Hawaii" silicon, the card is expected to feature 2,816 GCN stream processors, spread across 44 SIMDs (11 computing units). Other specifications include 172 TMUs, 44 ROPs, and a 512-bit wide GDDR5 memory interface, holding 4 GB of memory, which likely achieves its >300 GB/s memory bandwidth with a 5.00 GHz memory clock. The company is expected to launch 6 GB variants of the card a little later.

Here's a quick recap of AMD's updated product stack, spread between the R9 and R7 series. This article can help you understand the new nomenclature. AMD's lineup begins with the Radeon R7 250 and Radeon R7 260X. The two are based on the 28 nm "Curacao" silicon, which is a variation of the "Pitcairn" silicon the previous-generation Radeon HD 7870 was based on. The R7 250 is expected to be priced around US $89, with 1 GB of RAM, and performance rated at over 2,000 points by 3DMark Firestrike benchmark. The R7 260X, features double the memory at 2 GB, higher clock speeds, possibly more number crunching resources, Firestrike score of over 3,700 points, and a pricing that's around $139. This card should turn up the heat against the likes of GeForce GTX 650 Ti Boost.

Moving on, there's the $199 Radeon R9 270X. Based on a chip not much unlike "Tahiti LE," it features 2 GB of memory, and 3DMark Firestrike score of over 5,500 points. Then there's the Radeon R9 280X. This card, priced attractively at $299, is practically a rebrand of the Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition with. It features 3 GB of RAM, and over 6,800 points on 3DMark Firestrike. Then there are the R9 290 and R9 290X. AMD flew dozens of scribes thousands of miles over to Hawaii, and left them without an official announcement on the specifications of the two. From what AMD told us, the two feature 4 GB of memory, over 5,000 TFLOP/s compute power, and over 300 GB/s memory bandwidth. The cards we mentioned are pictured in that order below.More pictures follow.