AMD allegedly disabled asynchronous-compute technology support on older generations of Graphics CoreNext (GCN) architecture, since Radeon Software 16.9.2. With the newer drivers, "Ashes of the Singularity" no longer supports asynchronous-compute, a feature that improves performance in the game, on GPUs based on the first-generation GCN architecture, such as the Radeon R9 280X.

"Ashes of the Singularity" benchmarks run by Beyond3D forum members on GCN 1.0 hardware, comparing older drivers to version 16.9.2 shows that the game supports async-compute on the older drivers, and returns improved performance. AMD, on its part, is pointing users to a patch change-list from the developers of "Ashes..." which reads that the game supports DirectX 12 async-compute only on GCN 1.1 (eg: Radeon R9 290) and above.

AMD is set to launch its new performance-segment graphics card, the Radeon R9 285, on the 2nd September, 2014. Ahead of its launch, the company is expected to tease the card at its August 23rd press-event, celebrating 30 years of graphics and gaming. On that day, AMD will share "partial" details of the card.

The R9 285 is based on AMD's swanky new 28 nm "Tonga" silicon, which is being drummed up to be AMD's best answer to NVIDIA's GK104. The chip offers performance rivaling "Tahiti," at the power consumption of GK104. The R9 285 is being designed to offer performance roughly that of the Radeon R9 280, at energy-efficiency, and pricing to drop lead on NVIDIA's GeForce GTX 760. A month later, presumably in early October, the company plans to launch the faster R9 285X, offering performance comparable (if not higher than) the R9 280X, at the energy-efficiency levels of GTX 770. "Tonga" physically features 2,048 Graphics CoreNext 1.1 stream processors, 128 TMUs, 32 ROPs, and a 256-bit wide GDDR5 memory interface, which will hold 2 GB or 4 GB of memory.

The GeForce GTX 780 6 GB Strix isn't the only graphics card in the Strix series from ASUS, the company also launched one based on the Radeon R9 280, armed with 3 GB of memory (model: STRIX-R9280-OC-3GD5). The card appears to feature the same exact DirectCU II based cooling solution as the one on the GTX 780 Strix, and likely a similar PCB to the R9 280 DirectCU II series. The cooler offers 0 dBA cooling when the GPU is running at temperatures below 65 °C, and begins to spool up only beyond that. So handling most desktop and mild 3D loads should be completely quiet. The card also offers a factory OC. The GPU is clocked at 980 MHz, and the memory at 5.20 GHz, compared to reference clocks of 823 MHz core and 5.00 GHz memory. Based on the 28 nm "Tahiti" silicon, the Radeon R9 280 offers 1,792 GCN stream processors, 112 TMUs, 32 ROPs, and a 384-bit wide GDDR5 memory interface. APIs supported include DirectX 11.2 (feature level 11_2), OpenGL 4.4 and AMD Mantle. ASUS didn't reveal pricing.

CyberPower Inc., a global manufacturer of custom gaming PCs, today announced its MEGA MINER series, a family of high-performance systems designed and optimized not only for gaming, but for cryptocurrency mining as well. The MEGA MINER series is powered by AMD's Radeon R9 series graphics cards, which provide up to 1000KHash/sec on a single card. With the ability to add up to three cards per system, the MEGA MINER has been intelligently designed with the GPU power to perform the necessary calculations faster to earn more coins.

The MEGA MINER series comes with a choice of AMD's FX-4300 processor or Intel's Core i3-4130 Haswell processor depending on the model. The series also utilizes the Thermaltake DPS series of 80 Plus digital power supplies, which conveniently monitor one of the most vital pieces of information all coin miners need to know - your electricity cost. The MEGA MINER systems combine powerful mining hardware with the precision and control of Thermaltake DPS power supplies for the best coin mining experience.

GIGABYTE, the leading manufacturer of motherboards and graphics cards, is pleased to announce GIGABYTE Radeon R9 280 (GV-R928WF3OC-3GD) and Radeon R7 265 (GV-R7265WF2OC-2GD) OverClock Edition Graphics Card. GIGABYTE once again not only launches new models, but makes the new models factory overclocked!

With WINDFORCE 3X cooling system, the GIGABYTE GV-R928WF3OC-3GD and GV-R7265WF2OC-2GD perform fantastic for gamers. The GV-R928WF3OC-3GD with 1792 GCN stream processor and 3 GB high-speed GDDR5 memory runs at 384-bit memory interface; the GV-R7265WF2OC-2GD is equipped with 1024 GCN stream processor, 2 GB high-speed GDDR5 memory and 256-bit memory interface.

Gigabyte launched its first Radeon R9 280 graphics card, the R9 280 WindForce OC (model: R928WF3OC-3GD). Based on a similar board design to that of the R9 280X WindForce series, the card makes use of a custom-design PCB by Gigabyte, and its swanky WindForce 3X cooling solution. Its PCB features Gigabyte's Ultra Durable VGA construction, with ferrite core chokes that don't give out low-pitched noise under load. The cooler is a chunky aluminium fin heatsink ventilated by three fans. The card comes with only a GPU factory overclock. The core is clocked at 950 MHz, with 1072 MHz boost (compared to 850/933 MHz reference); while the memory is left untouched at 5.00 GHz (GDDR5-effective). Based on the 28 nm "Tahiti" silicon, the R9 280 features 1,792 stream processors, 112 TMUs, 32 ROPs, and a 384-bit wide GDDR5 memory interface, holding 3 GB of memory. Gigabyte didn't announce pricing.

MSI finally launched its first Radeon R9 280 graphics card, flashing its Gaming Series branding. Based on an otherwise identical board design to that of the R9 280X Gaming, the card features MSI's Twin Frozr IV cooling solution. It offers factory-overclocked speeds of 933 MHz core, 1000 MHz boost, and 5.00 GHz memory. Based on the 28 nm "Tahiti" silicon, the Radeon R9 280 offers 1,792 stream processors, 112 TMUs, 32 ROPs, and a 384-bit wide GDDR5 memory interface, holding 3 GB of memory. The card draws power from a combination of 6-pin and 8-pin PCIe power connectors, display outputs include two mini-DisplayPort connectors, two dual-link DVI, and an HDMI connector. Expect this one to go for around $280.

XFX launched the sole Radeon R9 280 graphics card model in its lineup, the R9 280 Double Dissipation. The card is available in two variants, a base variant which sticks to AMD reference clock speeds, and a factory-overclocked Black Edition variant. The base variant is clocked at 827 MHz core, 933 MHz boost, and 5.00 GHz memory; while the Black Edition offers 1000 MHz GPU clock (no boost), and 5.20 GHz memory. The two feature XFX' signature Double Dissipation cooling solution that's featured on a number of its R9 280 series and R9 290 series models. Based on the 28 nm "Tahiti" silicon, the Radeon R9 280 offers 1,792 stream processors, 112 TMUs, 32 ROPs, and a 384-bit wide GDDR5 memory interface, holding 3 GB of memory. Expect the two to be priced between $280 and $300.

AMD's Radeon R9 200 series appears to have come a full circle with the company launching the Radeon R9 280, to capture the crucial US $279.99 price point, going against NVIDIA's GeForce GTX 760. The R9 280 isn't too different from the Radeon HD 7950 from the previous generation, featuring higher clock speeds, and PowerTune with boost. Based on the 28 nm "Tahiti" silicon, the R9 280 features 1,792 Graphics CoreNext stream processors, 112 TMUs, 32 ROPs, and a 384-bit wide GDDR5 memory interface, holding 3 GB of memory. The card features clock speeds of 827 MHz core, 933 MHz boost, and 5.00 GHz memory. The R9 280 is rated with the same 250W average board power as the R9 280X. AMD add-in board (AIB) partners have launched custom-design boards, including ones that feature factory overclocked speeds.

ASUS kicked off its Radeon R9 280 lineup with a pair of DirectCU II series graphics cards, one which sticks to AMD reference clock speeds of 827 MHz core, 933 MHz boost, and 5.00 GHz memory; and a TOP variant, which offers clock speeds of 874 MHz core, 980 MHz boost, and 5.20 GHz memory. Both cards are based on a board design that's not too different from that of the R9 280X DirectCU II series, featuring a custom-design PCB, and the company's new generation DirectCU II cooling solution, which features the CoolTech fan that combines a lateral blower with a conventional fan impeller. Based on the 28 nm "Tahiti" silicon, the Radeon R9 280 features 1,792 stream processors 112 TMUs, 32 ROPs, and a 384-bit wide GDDR5 memory interface, holding 3 GB of memory.

The Radeon R7 and R9 series are expanding! First announced in September 2013 at the AMD Hawaii tech event, the Radeon R7 and R9 series have added about a dozen more cards to the product lineup. These new cards offer better performance than the competition while being more affordable at the same time. To close the gap between the very powerful yet affordable R9 270X and the immensely popular R9 280X, we are pleased to introduce the brand new Club 3D Radeon R9 280 royalKing!

Being a royalKing, the R9 280 is a proud new addition to our widely awarded and recognized PokerSeries. Fitted with a revised Tahiti PRO 2 GPU, the R9 280 has 1792 Stream Processors, 3072Mb of GDDR5 memory at 5000MHz and a 384 bit memory bus. This new addition to the R9 series offers significantly better specs and performance than the competition with a suggested end user price of $279 (SEP).

A renowned brand of graphics card maker - VTX3D, today introduced a new model into R9 series, the VTX3D R9 280 X-Edition. The R9 280 X-Edition features award-winning GCN Architecture and fully supports ultra resolution gaming, Microsoft DirectX 11.2 and PCI Express 3.0, offering unrivalled performance and efficiency for all gamers.

Being the R9 series member, the R9 280 X-Edition is fitted with 3 GB of GDDR5 memory connected via a high speed 384 bit memory interface and 1250 MHz (5.0 Gbps) of memory speed. It clocks at 855 MHz core speed, and it can reach to 960 MHz with boost, delivering excellent performance for a wide range of application.

TUL Corporation, a leading manufacturer of AMD graphic cards, expands its R9 series with latest PowerColor TurboDuo R9 280 OC, promising no-compromise performance and flawless image quality for the most demanding games. The TurboDuo R9 280 OC feature awarding-winning GCN Architecutre for unrivalled efficiency, and enable astonishing performance and breathtaking image quality, making it a top choice for enthusiasts who eager for the best.

The TurboDuo R9 280 OC has a new architecture with a total of 1792 stream processors, delivering massively parallel computing power for graphics. Its core clock speed of 855 MHz, even up to 960 MHz with boost, together with a high speed interface to 3 GB of GDDR5 memory running at 1250 MHz (5.0 Gbps) delivers class leading performance.

In addition to the Radeon R7 265, AMD is also planning to launch its 6th Radeon R9 series desktop discrete graphics card running up to Computex 2014, the Radeon R9 280. The R9 280, as some of you might have guessed by now, is based on the 28 nm "Tahiti" silicon, with a core-configuration identical to that of the Radeon HD 7950 from the previous generation, according to a WCCFTech report. The chip could hence feature 1,792 stream processors, 112 TMUs, 32 ROPs, and a 384-bit wide GDDR5 memory interface, holding 3 GB of memory.

The Radeon R9 280 could be clocked above 800 MHz on the core, and 5.00 GHz (GDDR5-effective) on the memory, which works out to 224 GB/s of memory bandwidth. Given that the R9 280X is still on paper a $299 SKU, AMD may intend the R9 280 to be priced within the sub-$300 segment. Beneath the R9 280X, AMD's GPUs are unappealing to crypto-currency miners as the performance-Watt and price-performance equations turn unfavorable, and so the R9 280 has a fair chance of sticking to its intended price-point, away from being wrecked by shamelessly greedy retailers.