AMD 7000 Series Graphics Cards - First 7970 Reviews Are Live

[Offender_Mullet]

They're coming. I think I just did after viewing these specs.

Report: First AMD 28nm GPU Due in December

Industry sources told Germany's heise online that AMD is targeting December 6 as a launch date.

There was no information which architecture these new GPUs will be based on, but there appears to be reason to believe that AMD may be unveiling performance desktop boards, which will become available in very limited quantities in December, heise said. Due to 28 nm transition problems, it may take some time until there is enough supply to meet demand.

If heise's sources are correct, then we assume that the announcement in December will be about AMD's Southern Island GPU family, which is expected to be called the Radeon HD 7000 series. We are expecting these GPUs to use Rambus' XDR2 DRAM memory instead of GDDR5, MIMD instructions instead of VLIW, support for PowerTune as well as x86 addressing and Partially Resident Textures.

TSMC reportedly increased its pricing for 28nm products as it noticed substantially higher demand than the company initially expected. Xbit labs speculated that TSMC's capacity for 28nm wafer production is only 7000 to 10,000 units during the current fourth quarter.

AMD is set to launch its next-generation graphic processors this coming fall and it is shaping up to be more than expected with use of XDR2 memory interface.

Based on a leaked road-map, AMD will be releasing their new GPUs in Q4 for the upcoming holiday season. The GPUs will start with four different GPUs based on the 28nm version of the VLIW4 (Very Long Instruction Word) architecture. The four GPUs will be equipped with 768 to 1536 Radeon cores (stream processors) and GDDR5 memory.

The fun begins when you start to look at the new high-end GPUs codenamed "Tahiti", which is expected to see a Q1 2012 release. The "Tahiti" will make use of PCIe Gen3 interface, which has a massive bandwidth of 32 GB/s. The 7900 series is set to utilizes new AMD's Graphics CoreNext GPU architecture. The GCN is expected to boost performance per square millimeter die area to improve upon the VLIW4 architecture .

The most interesting change is AMD's decision to go with XDR2 memory interface from Rambus over previous generation DDR5 memory interface. Rambus claims the XDR2 is twice as fast as DDR5, while offering 30 percent less power consumption.

Additional information leaked has the Radeon HD 7970 series with, 2048 Radeon Cores, GPU frequency of 1000 MHz and XDR2 memory at 8000 MHz, which would result in a memory bandwidth of 256 GB/s over a 256-bit memory interface. This compared to the 176 GB/s in Radeon HD 6790 with GDDR5 memory at 5500 MHz. All this power will be packed within an estimated power consumption of 190 watts

There looks to be some interesting times ahead for AMD in the coming months for us to keep watch. AMD will be releasing its new "Bulldozer" architecture, along with the new GCN architecture for the 7900 series GPUs (if the information leaked is accurate).

Link: http://www.tomshardware.com/news/amd...ory,13408.html

There are a few Pci-Express 3.0 motherboards already on the market. Love that lower power consumption compared to my 6970. Wow. Can't wait for the 7970.

[BLindsay]

grr and i was hoping to keep my pair of 6970s for a while lol.

[Offender_Mullet]

The 79**'s won't be out until Q1 2012 so we have a few more months of use left. However, PCIe 3.0 means new motherboard if you want to take 'full' advantage of the supposed performance gains. NewEgg has 5 Pci-Express 3.0 Z68 boards out. I'm just not a fan of ASRock and have never tried a MSI product before. Glad I haven't bought my new board yet.

EDIT: Ah ha, look at this. "To run the PCI Express 3.0 slots in Gen 3 speed, please must install the Ivy Bridge CPU which supports PCI Express 3.0. If you install the Sandy Bridge CPU, the PCI Express 3.0 slots will run only at Gen2 speed." Taken from the ASRock website.

[RocShemp]

Meh. I just got my 6850. I'm not upgrading anytime soon.

[BLindsay]

Originally Posted by Offender_Mullet

The 79**'s won't be out until Q1 2012 so we have a few more months of use left. However, PCIe 3.0 means new motherboard if you want to take 'full' advantage of the supposed performance gains. NewEgg has 5 Pci-Express 3.0 Z68 boards out. I'm just not a fan of ASRock and have never tried a MSI product before. Glad I haven't bought my new board yet.

EDIT: Ah ha, look at this. "To run the PCI Express 3.0 slots in Gen 3 speed, please must install the Ivy Bridge CPU which supports PCI Express 3.0. If you install the Sandy Bridge CPU, the PCI Express 3.0 slots will run only at Gen2 speed." Taken from the ASRock website.

eh considering though there is only a few % difference going from a x16 to an x8 slot on PCIE 2.0 i seriously doubt we will need 3.0 for this gen

[PrivatePixel]

Originally Posted by Offender_Mullet

The 79**'s won't be out until Q1 2012 so we have a few more months of use left. However, PCIe 3.0 means new motherboard if you want to take 'full' advantage of the supposed performance gains. NewEgg has 5 Pci-Express 3.0 Z68 boards out. I'm just not a fan of ASRock and have never tried a MSI product before. Glad I haven't bought my new board yet.

I use an MSI board on my secondary PC: pretty solid in terms of stability. If I had $200+, I would spring for one of their PCI 3.0-supported Military Class II boards right now. January isn't too far off, so we should see new PCI 3.0 boards from all of the major players. I thought about updating to a Z68-based mobo now (for Battlefield 3, of course), but my current primary should be able to handle it (with settings turned down) while I wait for the 2012 boards.

I'm happy with my current video card, but if I find a 7000-series card for a sweet price, I'll bite.

[PrivatePixel]

Originally Posted by Offender_Mullet

The 79**'s won't be out until Q1 2012 so we have a few more months of use left. However, PCIe 3.0 means new motherboard if you want to take 'full' advantage of the supposed performance gains. NewEgg has 5 Pci-Express 3.0 Z68 boards out. I'm just not a fan of ASRock and have never tried a MSI product before. Glad I haven't bought my new board yet.

EDIT: Ah ha, look at this. "To run the PCI Express 3.0 slots in Gen 3 speed, please must install the Ivy Bridge CPU which supports PCI Express 3.0. If you install the Sandy Bridge CPU, the PCI Express 3.0 slots will run only at Gen2 speed." Taken from the ASRock website.

Good to know. I guess I won't be upgrading either of my desktops to a Sandy Bridge CPU during the interim; I'll just wait for the Ivy Bridge CPUs and improved selection of PCI 3.0 boards when 2012 rolls around.

[Offender_Mullet]

Originally Posted by BLindsay

eh considering though there is only a few % difference going from a x16 to an x8 slot on PCIE 2.0 i seriously doubt we will need 3.0 for this gen

Very true, which is why I said "supposed gains" because we all know what kind of marketing hype new products carry. Plus, having to buy an upcoming Ivy Bridge cpu I don't think would be worth it. That was a bit disappointing reading that on ASRock's site.

Originally Posted by PrivatePixel

I use an MSI board on my secondary PC: pretty solid in terms of stability. If I had $200+, I would spring for one of their PCI 3.0-supported Military Class II boards right now. January isn't too far off, so we should see new PCI 3.0 boards from all of the major players. I thought about updating to a Z68-based mobo now (for Battlefield 3, of course), but my current primary should be able to handle it (with settings turned down) while I wait for the 2012 boards. I'm happy with my current video card, but if I find a 7000-series card for a sweet price, I'll bite.

Stability is one good thing I've heard about MSI products. I'm just so comfortable with Asus boards.

[PrivatePixel]

Originally Posted by Offender_Mullet

Stability is one good thing I've heard about MSI products. I'm just so comfortable with Asus boards.

Nothing wrong with brand loyalty. I'm not big on ASUS boards, despite being really good overclockers. I know quite a few people who had troublesome builds with ASUS boards in the past, but those that didn't swear by the brand.

[Offender_Mullet]

In the past decade I had a XFX board a couple Gigabytes and the rest have been Asus. The only board I had problems with was the XFX but that was years ago. Gigabyte boards have always been solid as well.

Plus, with the past 2 boards I bought at my local MicroCenter store I got their 2-year replacement plan. Was only like $30 extra, but the good thing is they don't ask any questions and it carries over to whatever other board you buy, so here's what I ended up doing:

I had an Asus AMD Crosshair IV Formula board last year, brought it in and replaced it with the Asus Intel Rampage III Formula board, paying only $80 for the exchange. And I just sold the Rampage III for $180 on eBay. Their motherboard selection isn't as extensive as NewEgg's but since I still have that replacement plan, might as well keep taking advantage of it.

[BLindsay]

I have had Asus boards ever since Abit went away back in the day

[Offender_Mullet]

Oh screw it lol I just bought the ASRock Extreme 3 Gen 3 PCIe 3.0 board off Superbiiz.com for $114.99 shipped w/ coupon code (cheaper and they pack items better than newegg). Although I hate how ASR's website download section is setup. Hopefully this won't be as finicky as the one I bought my dad last year.

I'll just go to MicroCenter to get the 2500K for $193 (after taxes). I'll post my new setup after everything else arrives.

[PrivatePixel]

Originally Posted by BLindsay

I have had Asus boards ever since Abit went away back in the day

Abit....haven't heard that name in ages. The good ol' days when the likes of EPoX, SOYO and Soltek were part of the mix.

[BLindsay]

Originally Posted by PrivatePixel

Abit....haven't heard that name in ages. The good ol' days when the likes of EPoX, SOYO and Soltek were part of the mix.

I still have an old KR7A-133R that still works lol

[PS3-Playb3yond]

Any chance the 6000 series will go down in price soon since these are coming?

[PrivatePixel]

Originally Posted by PS3-Playb3yond

Any chance the 6000 series will go down in price soon since these are coming?

There was some speculation that the HD 7000 series could debut between October and December of this year, but I think the first quarter of 2012 is the more realistic date. Elaine Liao, Director of Sales of Powercolor, confirmed that the new cards will debut in Q1 of 2012.

If prices do go down, I would think that it won't happen until December at the earliest, or maybe a week or two prior to the actual launch.

[Offender_Mullet]

Originally Posted by PS3-Playb3yond

Any chance the 6000 series will go down in price soon since these are coming?

There will be the typical holiday sales, but don't look for anything too drastic. From what I've read and seen, the 6000 series cards are still in high demand.

Example: My 6970 was purchased on 12/19/2010 for $379, it's at $369 now.

[PS3-Playb3yond]

That sucks! I'm waiting for a good deal on the Powercolor 6850 and it never goes on sale at Newegg.

[PrivatePixel]

Originally Posted by PS3-Playb3yond

That sucks! I'm waiting for a good deal on the Powercolor 6850 and it never goes on sale at Newegg.

I see a couple of Powercolor cards listed for ~$200+, one with a massive heatsink, the other with a single slot design: are these the ones you're looking at? I like both options, but not enough to justify the cost difference over a standard HD 6850.

[PS3-Playb3yond]

Originally Posted by PrivatePixel

I see a couple of Powercolor cards listed for ~$200+, one with a massive heatsink, the other with a single slot design: are these the ones you're looking at? I like both options, but not enough to justify the cost difference over a standard HD 6850.

I'm looking to get the 6850. It's $149 right now with $20 MIR, so $129 after MIR. I'm going to wait and get a monitor first instead. I have the P8Z68 motherboard so it's capable of running Windows Aero and other necessary graphics through the CPU.