Chinese company Yeston released a new Radeon HD 6790 graphics card for gamers on a tight budget. It makes use of cost-effective cooler and PCB designs to make itself available at a price-point of 799 RMB (about $125). The familiar-looking cooler borrows its design from the likes of MSI Cyclone. It consists of a copper-plate base which makes contact with a heatsink with spirally-projecting fins and two 8 mm thick nickel-plated copper heat-pipes; these heat-pipes pass through two aluminum fin arc structures on either sides of the main heatsink. Ventilation is care of a central 80 mm fan.

The PCB uses a cost-effective 3+1 phase VRM to power the 40 nm Barts LE GPU, making use of common coil-type chokes and DPAK MOSFETs. The card is one of few HD 6790 offerings out there, that draw power form just one 6-pin PCIe power connector (most designs use two). The GPU features clock speeds of 840 MHz core and 1050 (4.20 GHz effective) memory; and is aided by 1 GB of GDDR5 memory across a 256-bit wide memory interface. It packs 800 stream processors. Display outputs include two DVI, and one each of HDMI 1.4a and DisplayPort 1.2.

TechPowerUp released the latest version of GPU-Z, our popular graphics hardware information and monitoring utility. Version 0.5.4 packs a large number of changes, beginning with faster start-up, support for the entire line of NVIDIA GeForce 500M series GPUs, new models of Intel Sandy Bridge processor graphics, a number of AMD Radeon HD 6000M series GPUs, improved support for AMD APUs, and a number of bug fixes.

GPU-Z has overcome the slow start-up issue on AMD Radeon GPUs, it loads slightly faster on NVIDIA GPUs, too. ROP count reading on AMD Radeon HD 6790, Turks & Whistler was fixed; along with sensor count on Caicos, Whistler, Turks. OpenCL detection on some NVIDIA drivers was fixed. The ability to read UMA-shared memory on AMD APU systems was added. GPU-Z has better ability to detect and warn of spurious graphics cards with faked IDs. GPU-Z 0.5.4 is available in both its standard form and the ASUS Republic of Gamers themed variant.DOWNLOAD: GPU-Z 0.5.4 | GPU-Z 0.5.4 ASUS ROG Themed

A complete list of changes with this version follows.

HIS rolled out a new custom-design Radeon HD 6790 graphics card, the HIS HD 6790 Fan. "Fan" editions are known to bring with them airy fan-heatsinks that rely a fair bit on the fan's airflow and the way it's channeled, rather than adding weight to the heatsink. Apart from being custom-design, the card features reference clock speeds of 840 MHz core and 1050 MHz (4200 MHz effective) memory, and is loaded with 1 GB of GDDR5 memory across a 256-bit wide memory interface. Based on the 40 nm Barts GPU, the HD 6790 has 800 stream processors enabled, along with its full memory bus width. Display outputs on this card include two DVI, and one each of HDMI 1.4a and DisplayPort 1.2 (full-size). Expect standard pricing of US $160.

FinalWire today released the latest version of AIDA64, the industry's popular system diagnostic tool for IT administrators, engineers, and PC enthusiasts. Version 1.70 of AIDA64 includes mainly updated device support database. To begin with, AIDA64 features the ability to tell LGA1155 motherboards with B3 stepping Cougar Point chipsets from the older stepping; it features preliminary support for AMD's upcoming FX-Series CPUs, and A-Series APUs.

A host of new SATA SSDs are supported, including Intel 320 series, OCZ Vertex 3 series, and Samsung PM810. Support is added for AMD Mobility Radeon HD 6770M and Radeon HD 6790 GPUs. Support is also added for a scores of NVIDIA GeForce 500 series GPUs, including GT 520, GT 520M, GT 550M, GT 555M, GTX 550 Ti, GTX 590.DOWNLOAD: AIDA64 v1.70 EXE Installer, ZIP Portable Package

NVIDIA is set to launch its next upper-mainstream GPU, the GeForce GTX 560 (not to be confused with GeForce GTX 560 Ti) on May 17. Designed to compete with AMD's Radeon HD 6790, the new GTX 560 is based on the same GPU as the GTX 560 Ti, the 40 nm GF114. It has 336 out of 384 CUDA cores enabled, while most other specifications of the GPU are untouched. The core clock speed is said to be not less than 800 MHz, making it faster than GeForce GTX 460, which otherwise has the same specifications while being based on the older GF104 silicon.

Today HIS launches HIS 6790 IceQ X Turbo 1GB GDDR5. Offering the HIS awarding winning cooling and overclocking technology, the new model is designed for our most demanding gamers to experience a truly outstanding performance and ultra-high bandwidth in gaming. The HIS 6790 IceQ X Turbo has over-clocked its core clock to 900MHz and memory clock to 4400MHz, delivering serious high-definition gaming frame rates.

What's more, the new model equips with stunning array of advanced technologies, such as AMD Eyefinity technology, AMD's second-generation of DirectX 11-ready graphics,
and AMD EyeSpeed technology. The combined configuration delivers dramatic visual and gaming experience, making it the ultimate solution for performance gamers.

Club 3D B.V. announces the introduction of the Radeon HD 6790 CoolStream Edition video card based on the Barts SE chipset, AMD' second generation DirectX 11. The new Club 3D Radeon HD 6790 1 GB GDDR5 video card features now the AMD HD3D technology which allows you to play your favorite games in full stereo 3D with a single video card (up to 6 monitors) and enjoy with EyeSpeed technology the latest 3D Blu-ray movies.

The new card comes equipped with CoolStream Cooling Technology to run your hottest titles without compromising performance. CoolStream features high performance heatpipes and a unique fan blade design to increase performance for your gaming and multimedia experience.

TODAY HIS veils HIS 6790 IceQ X 1GB GDDR5, loading with HIS performance-leading cooling technology and silent configuration, the new model designs for our most demanding gamers to experience a truly outstanding performance and spectacular image quality.

HIS 6790 IceQ X accelerates advanced PC gaming by running at 840MHz core clock and 4,200MHz memory clock. What's more? The new model equips with stunning array of advanced technologies, such as AMD Eyefinity technology, AMD's second-generation of DirectX 11-ready graphics, and AMD EyeSpeed technology. The combined configuration delivers dramatic visual and gaming experience, making it the ultimate solution for performance gamers.

SAPPHIRE Technology, the largest manufacturer and supplier worldwide of graphics solutions based on AMD technology has just announced a new graphics card delivering all the key features demanded by the latest games and applications - but at an exciting new price point.

The new SAPPHIRE HD 6790 shares many all the capabilities of the successful SAPPHIRE HD 6800 series, including multi-screen gaming with AMD Eyefinity, support for all the advanced graphical features of Microsoft DirectX 11 and delivering spectacular video clarity, speed and visual effects, including 3D stereoscopic displays.

AMD today launched its latest graphics card targeting the US $150 sweet-spot, the Radeon HD 6790. The new GPU is intended to make 1080p gaming accessible to even more gamers. It is based on the 40 nm "Barts" silicon (on which HD 6800 series is also based), and features 800 VLIW5 stream processors, 40 TMUs, 16 ROPs, and a 256-bit wide GDDR5 memory interface holding 1 GB of memory. The core is clocked at 840 MHz, and memory at 1050 MHz (4.20 GHz effective).

The AMD Radeon HD 6790 might be rarely available in a reference design, rather, AMD's AIB partners are allowed to come up with their own board designs. The new GPU will be launched by various AIB partners, including Sapphire, HIS, XFX, PowerColor, VisionTek, Club3D, ASUS, Gigabyte, MSI, ColorFire, etc. Target price is US $149.99.

XFX is ready with its Radeon HD 6790, too. The XFX HD679XZDFC is a completely in-house designed HD 6790 implementation by XFX, including a custom PCB and cooler, which can also be found on its HD 6800 series models. Essentially, HD 6790's electricals on this particular board match those of the HD 6870. The PCB uses a 4+2 phase VRM for the Barts LE GPU, which packs 800 stream processors and 256-bit GDDR5 memory interface holding 1 GB of memory; power is drawn from two 6-pin power connectors.

Moving on to the cooler, it uses a large aluminum fin array to which heat is fed by three copper heat pipes that make direct contact with the GPU. It is ventilated by two 80 mm fans. Display outputs resemble those of the HD 6870, more than those of the HD 6850; there are two each of DVI and mini-DisplayPort 1.2, and one full-size HDMI 1.4a. The card can pair with another (probably any Barts-based card) for 2-way CrossFire. Expect it to be out on Thursday.

PowerColor seems to be in a hurry to release its Radeon HD 6790 graphics card (model: AX6790 1GBD5-DH), so much so that it's already listed on popular retailer Newegg.com for US $149.99. Powercolor's card sticks to stock frequencies of 840 MHz core, 4.20 GHz memory, and features 1 GB of GDDR5 memory over a 256-bit wide memory interface. The HD 6790 is said to have 800 out of 1120 of stream processors on the 40 nm Barts GPU enabled.

PowerColor's card uses a more cost-effective cooler design than the one found on some of its Radeon HD 6800 series graphics cards. Display outputs include one each of DVI, full-size HDMI 1.4a, and mini DisplayPort 1.2. The card draws power from just one 6-pin PCI-E power connector. The HD 6790 will be officially released later this week on Thursday.Pictures Courtesy: Newegg.com

New and notable graphics card manufacturer from the east, ColorFire, is ready with its Radeon HD 6790 graphics card, the Colorful associate brand is starting with a non-reference design card like every other AIB. Despite making some necessary cost-cutting in terms of components, ColorFire didn't compromise on features such as dual-BIOS, hardware-based voltage control, and a powerful-looking cooler. Further, ColorFire's card needs just one 6-pin power connector, contradicting reports that HD 6790 needs two.

ColorFire implemented a 4+1 phase VRM using standard chokes and MOSFETs, but saw to it that at least high-grade Japan-made solid-state capacitors are put in place of POSCAP capacitors. The cooler uses an aluminum fin heatsink to which heat is fed by three heat pipes. In all likelihood, ColorFire will stick to its existing markets of Asia and Europe.

A little later next week, AMD will unveil its new upper-mainstream SKU, the Radeon HD 6790. After pictures Sapphire's card, it's MSI's turn. The MSI R6790 looks to be making use of the same non-reference PCB MSI used on other Radeon HD 6800 series graphics card, with a similar single-fan VGA heatsink. MSI's cooler uses a long aluminum fin array to which heat is fed by three direct-touch copper heat pipes. The Radeon HD 6790 is based on the 40 nm Barts GPU, with 800 stream processor enabled, and 1 GB of GDDR5 memory across a 256-bit wide memory interface. Display outputs include two each of DVI and mini-DisplayPort 1.2, and one full-size HDMI 1.4a.

NVIDIA is readying a new SKU based on the GF114 GPU: the GeForce GTX 560, to help strengthen the company's competitiveness against AMD's upcoming Radeon HD 6790, and probably higher SKUs in the HD 6800 series. Next week, AMD will unveil its Radeon HD 6790 SKU, which will compete with the GTX 550 Ti, and probably seat itself in the market somewhere between the GTX 550 Ti and GTX 560 Ti. It is this gap that NVIDIA is looking to fill.

The GeForce GTX 560 is said to have 336 CUDA cores enabled (same configuration as the GF104-based GTX 460 1 GB), 56 TMUs, 256-bit GDDR5 memory interface holding 1 GB of memory. The thing that sets this SKU apart from the GTX 460 is going to be clock speed and overclocking potential, which is known to be higher on GF11x GPUs in general. Unlike HD 6790, there's no set launch date for the "non-Ti" GeForce GTX 560. Tentatively mid-April or early May.

Sapphire is ready with its Radeon HD 6790 graphics card, all the more reason to believe that if not all, some AIB partners were ready for a 3/31/2011 launch before it got delayed to next week. Sapphire's HD 6790 is a non-reference design card that in many aspects resembles the company's base model HD 6870. It By the looks of it, it uses the same PCB, same exact cooler, but a different rear panel. Sapphire's card packs 1 GB of GDDR5 memory over a 256-bit wide memory interface. Based on the 40 nm Barts-LE GPU, it features 800 stream processors, and clock speeds of 840 MHz core, 4.20 GHz memory. It draws power from two 6-pin PCI-E power connectors. The rear panel resembles HD 6850, with two DVI, and one each of full-size HDMI 1.4a and DisplayPort 1.2.

On April 5, AMD will release its newest Radeon HD 6000 series GPU, which it has been largely secretive about. The new Radeon HD 6790 is designed to compete with NVIDIA's GeForce GTX 550 Ti. The HD 6790 is based on AMD's 40 nm "Barts" GPU (on which are based HD 6850 and HD 6870). The Barts silicon is configured to have 800 stream processors (SPs)...hang on, unlike the 800 SPs on Juniper (HD 5700 series, HD 6770), the 800 SPs (arranged in 10 streaming multiprocessor units) on Barts will be spread across two blocks of 400 SPs each, each block having its own dispatch processor. Also unlike Juniper, Barts LE (HD 6790) will have 32 ROPs, 40 TMUs, and a 256-bit wide GDDR5 memory interface. The core will be clocked at a generous 840 MHz, and 1050 MHz (4.20 GHz effective) memory, churning out 134.5 GB/s memory bandwidth. The GPU is expected to have TDP of under 150W, and will draw power from two 6-pin power connectors.