Friday, October 8th 2010

AMD Radeon HD 6870 Reference Design Looks Refined, Ready to Market

Here it is, the AMD Radeon HD 6870, all dressed up to go to work. There has been quite some speculation surrounding the naming scheme AMD is going to adopt with the HD 6000 series, but fresh information suggestively lays some of that to rest. Firstly, Radeon HD 6800 series is built around the "Barts" GPU, not "Cayman". Barts is a new performance GPU, though isn't the highest-end single GPU from AMD (which is reserved for Cayman). Barts "XT" is Radeon HD 6870, and Barts "Pro" is HD 6850. Pictured below is the HD 6870. At a purely subjective glance, the HD 6870 reference design card seems to be as long as the HD 5850 reference.

The new Radeon logo has been Photoshopped on to the fan, so the products in market will definitely do away with the older ATI logo. The rear panel resembles that of the Radeon HD 5800 series, except that the exhaust grille seems slightly wider, there are two DVI-I connectors, one standard HDMI, and two mini DisplayPort connectors for a change. The connector output sharing scheme isn't known right now, it could be 3 or 4 head Eyefinity, or all-out 5 head Eyefinity, a yet to be detailed "Eyespeed" feature is mentioned. We will definitely know more about this card in the weeks to come.
Source: it.com.cn
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126 Comments on AMD Radeon HD 6870 Reference Design Looks Refined, Ready to Market

#101
wolf
Performance Enthusiast
CHAOS_KILLAWe both don't like the new naming scheme, but in the end who really cares, we just want the fastest HD6xxx card available:roll::rockout::toast:
lol you sure do, didn't you have 5870's a 5970 and now have a GTX480? been through your fair share of first gen DX11 cards ain't ya :laugh:

about this marketing stuff, I agree to an extent, months before Fermi launched there were in-depth articles detailing the new architecture, it would be nice to see the same thing about barts/cayman, they don't even need to give us performance numbers, just some food for thought to further wet our appetites for the release products.
Posted on Reply
#102
CDdude55
Crazy 4 TPU!!!
cadavecaAgain, I can only use Bulldozer's marketing, coming from the same company, to base my opinion on in this situation. Clearly there is a huge difference between the two sides of AMD's marketing, and frankly, Bulldozer's marketing is far better. There's little to no speculation left there, and yet, none knows how it will perform.

I don't care what any other company is doing. I mean really now...the old "If everyone jumped off a bridge, would you?" really fits in to describe my thoughts on that.

I don't care what they commited too...or what any other company does...I'm not talking about other companies, just AMD here. You don't justify stupidity because everyone else is stupid. And making bad commitments, and then holding them, is stupid too.

You know... yes, I may be asking for alot, but guess what...if none asks, nothing will ever change. And clearly AMD/ATi's marketing department hasn't learnt anything either...adn that really needs to change.

There's NOTHING on the AMD site about these cards. A simple official page saying Barts is this 6870, etc, reveals nothing, and would quell alot of the rumours.

But instead they are waiting? They are gonna lose sales(and thereby marketshare and consumer confidence) that way.
Maybe they want to keep us guessing and wait for the big surprise at the end, they're a company, who knows exactly what they're aiming to do. Who knows what their strategy is, tomorrow they could release all the info including pricing on the cards, or maybe they'll show it off right at the launch date. But either way we'll see, sure we may not get an early look at it, but at least when it does come out we can them make a smart purchase based on what we need and can afford. This should also be accompanied by reviews a little later which also help the cause.
Posted on Reply
#103
HalfAHertz
cadavecaAgain, I can only use Bulldozer's marketing, coming from the same company, to base my opinion on in this situation. Clearly there is a huge difference between the two sides of AMD's marketing, and frankly, Bulldozer's marketing is far better. There's little to no speculation left there, and yet, none knows how it will perform.

I don't care what any other company is doing. I mean really now...the old "If everyone jumped off a bridge, would you?" really fits in to describe my thoughts on that.

I don't care what they commited too...or what any other company does...I'm not talking about other companies, just AMD here. You don't justify stupidity because everyone else is stupid. And making bad commitments, and then holding them, is stupid too.

You know... yes, I may be asking for alot, but guess what...if none asks, nothing will ever change. And clearly AMD/ATi's marketing department hasn't learnt anything either...adn that really needs to change.

There's NOTHING on the AMD site about these cards. A simple official page saying Barts is this 6870, etc, reveals nothing, and would quell alot of the rumours.

But instead they are waiting? They are gonna lose sales(and thereby marketshare and consumer confidence) that way.
I disagree. The two markets - the GPU and CPU ones are totally different. I don't know if you remember but AMD and Intel made an agreement at the beginning of this year in which they settled some old scores but also exchanged their current technology and future roadmap. They have nothing to hide anymore and can be open about their future CPU product without fear of the competition.

On the other hand the GPU market is totally different. AMD had been playing second fiddle for quite some time and they really needed the break they got with the hd5000 series. With the development of the 5000 series secrecy seems to have helped them quite a lot and I think they're trying the same proven strategy again. AMD are fighting a much more aggressive opponent on the GPU side and can't allow themselves to slip again, they must thread carefully and stay tight-lipped until after the release.
Posted on Reply
#104
Goodman
the54thvoidI'd love to say naming isn't important but it is.

The 5850 destroyed the 4850
The 5870 destroyed the 4870

It looks like:

The 6870 equals the 5870
The 6850 equals the 5850.
Frankly i think they (ATI/Nvidia) could come up with better naming for they next generation card then to reused numbers from the past (like ATI 5870/6870 which Nvidia used before 5800/6800U) to something like Gamer1000 , HappyFace1000 , XRay1000 , T-1000...?? :D
Posted on Reply
#105
20mmrain
Here's my question..... Alright a couple of weeks ago there was a GPU-Z and Vantage benchmark floating around the net with a score of P24K in performance settings. This benchmark was supposed to be the 6800 series we assume the 6870's vantage score.

So here's my excitement and worry. If that was truly the correct score of the 6870 what kind of great score will you get with the 6970? I can imagine something like 28K or more. Which would be just freaking awesome.
But with a top of the line card at a score of 28K or more what would that cost? $700 to $800 bucks and a 6870 would sell for the $400 to $500 price range? I would hate to imagine the 6990 would probably retail for $1200 or more.
They would be able to price these cards at what ever they want considering no competition from the other camp.
If this is true and it does happen.... we can only hope that ATI/AMD will remember those who stayed faithful to the brand during even their tough times and not price these cards right out of the market.
I do expect these cards to be more expensive then previous generations's because of their performance lead.
But if I can buy a GTX 470 that might be about 15% less powerful then a comparable ATI card for about $150 dollars cheaper.
I know I would definitely go that route for sure.
But those original benches could be just fake.

Other then that worry all I got to say is go ATI go.... it's about time! :)
Posted on Reply
#106
Lionheart
wolflol you sure do, didn't you have 5870's a 5970 and now have a GTX480? been through your fair share of first gen DX11 cards ain't ya :laugh:

about this marketing stuff, I agree to an extent, months before Fermi launched there were in-depth articles detailing the new architecture, it would be nice to see the same thing about barts/cayman, they don't even need to give us performance numbers, just some food for thought to further wet our appetites for the release products.
Haha yeah I did too, u got good memory:twitch: and the amount of video cards I bought for this generation was pretty ridiculous:laugh::laugh: lol but at the time I wanted them, but I also learnt not too waste money lol:p cause DAMN I bought quite abit, I'll make u a list lol........

- Sapphire HD5870 1GB then sold it.
- XFX HD5970 Gay Edition 2GB then RMAed it due to issues.
- HIS HD5870 1GB
- HIS HD5870 1GB for sum Xfire action
- Sold 1 HIS HD5870 1GB due to high temps
- Bought a EVGA GTX 480
- Sold HIS HD5870 1GB
- Bought Gigabyte HD5970 2gb
- Sold Gigabyte HD5970 2gb needed money
- Going to sell EVGA GTX 480 soon for HD6xxx series

.....ZOMFG why did I buy so many lol... oh well.

The new name scheming won't really bother me after about a couple of days, ppl would gt over it:rolleyes:, but if they do go with the new name scheming, I just hope the HD6850 & HD6870 will perform better then the HD5850 / HD5870 otherwise to me it would just look stupid:confused:
Posted on Reply
#107
wolf
Performance Enthusiast
CHAOS_KILLA...I'll make u a list lol........
my question is which was your favourite card out of them all?

I can't wait to see if the 6870 is as fast as the 5870 but cheaper.... it's really got me thinking.
Posted on Reply
#108
Kovoet
Think I will exchange my 5870's for one of these
Posted on Reply
#109
Lionheart
wolfmy question is which was your favourite card out of them all?

I can't wait to see if the 6870 is as fast as the 5870 but cheaper.... it's really got me thinking.
my favourite one would definitely be the HD5870 1GB, with all three of those cards, I had no issues with them what so ever and they performed really well, even Crossfiring them was awesome but I did high temps with one of the cards mainly because the cards were sandwiched together, the temps weren't that bad it was mainly the fan speed dat annoyed me:roll:

Yeah I can't wait to see some spec details and benchies of these new cards:rockout::rockout:
Posted on Reply
#111
cadaveca
My name is Dave
HalfAHertzI disagree. The two markets - the GPU and CPU ones are totally different. I don't know if you remember but AMD and Intel made an agreement at the beginning of this year in which they settled some old scores but also exchanged their current technology and future roadmap. They have nothing to hide anymore and can be open about their future CPU product without fear of the competition.

On the other hand the GPU market is totally different. AMD had been playing second fiddle for quite some time and they really needed the break they got with the hd5000 series. With the development of the 5000 series secrecy seems to have helped them quite a lot and I think they're trying the same proven strategy again. AMD are fighting a much more aggressive opponent on the GPU side and can't allow themselves to slip again, they must thread carefully and stay tight-lipped until after the release.
Very astute comment.

And while I agree, a simple webpage saying what cards are named what, doesn't give any concrete details, and if done properly, will only generate goodwill. Like you say, they are kinda fighting nVidia...but there is a difference in properly using your resources, and squandering them.

I mean, this thread is the perfect example...AMD could have released this via thier website. Doesn't give nVidia any idea of performance, etc...

It's poor marketing, through and through. And yes, because I've run(and still do) a very successful business, I do know what is effective marketing, and what isn't. I'm 33, and basically retired, 100% because i understand effective marketing. And what AMD is doing...isn't it.

Why is ChipHell and others getting the web traffic from this, instead of AMD?
Posted on Reply
#112
EastCoasthandle
cadavecaAgain, I can only use Bulldozer's marketing, coming from the same company, to base my opinion on in this situation. Clearly there is a huge difference between the two sides of AMD's marketing, and frankly, Bulldozer's marketing is far better. There's little to no speculation left there, and yet, none knows how it will perform.

I don't care what any other company is doing. I mean really now...the old "If everyone jumped off a bridge, would you?" really fits in to describe my thoughts on that.

I don't care what they commited too...or what any other company does...I'm not talking about other companies, just AMD here. You don't justify stupidity because everyone else is stupid. And making bad commitments, and then holding them, is stupid too.

You know... yes, I may be asking for alot, but guess what...if none asks, nothing will ever change. And clearly AMD/ATi's marketing department hasn't learnt anything either...adn that really needs to change.

There's NOTHING on the AMD site about these cards. A simple official page saying Barts is this 6870, etc, reveals nothing, and would quell alot of the rumours.

But instead they are waiting? They are gonna lose sales(and thereby marketshare and consumer confidence) that way.
And like wise, I certainly could care less about what you think is marketing. Because when it's all said and done, has nothing to do with my post :slap:. People just need to wait and see:
-what the naming will be
-what the performance will be
-how much it will cost you to buy it
-when it will be available
These are questions we cannot know for certain until the NDA is up/release date to make the official announcement. Therefore, I don't see the need to go around in circles with all the fud that we've seen before during the pre-release of AMDs other cards. Again, nothing to do with marketing here. And like was said earlier, if not saying much (if anything at all) worked well with the pre-release of the 5000 series I really don't see why it's something not repeatable for the 6000 series. At least until they are ready.
Posted on Reply
#113
cadaveca
My name is Dave
:laugh:

You don't see the need to go in circles...but...that's exactly what you yourself are doing!


AMD's lack of pproper marketing is what created this situation, plain and simple.

I mean really, that pic in the OP kinda looks like 6870 is Barts Pro...

Anyway, any single person with a minor amount of Photoshop ability could create those pics. So I agree that pople should wait before making any judgements...

But next release, guess what? It will be the same thing, yet again, won't it?

:laugh:

Seems that people's impatience to get details is what is irking you...and again, I say you best stop paying any attention to these threads then, because that's not ever gonna happen, until marketing practices change.

I'm not asking you to like my opinion....but like you are giving yours, I am giving mine. Just so happens it doesn't agree 1005 with yours, but that's just fine to me, and should be the same for you. If you don't like people commenting on your posts, don't comment..this is a tech discussion forum, after all.
Posted on Reply
#114
EastCoasthandle
cadaveca:laugh:

You don't see the need to go in circles...but...that's exactly what you yourself are doing!


AMD's lack of pproper marketing is what created this situation, plain and simple.

I mean really, that pic in the OP kinda looks like 6870 is Barts Pro...

Anyway, any single person with a minor amount of Photoshop ability could create those pics. So I agree that pople should wait before making any judgements...

But next release, guess what? It will be the same thing, yet again, won't it?

:laugh:

Seems that people's impatience to get details is what is irking you...and again, I say you best stop paying any attention to these threads then, because that's not ever gonna happen, until marketing practices change.

I'm not asking you to like my opinion....but like you are giving yours, I am giving mine. Just so happens it doesn't agree 1005 with yours, but that's just fine to me, and should be the same for you. If you don't like people commenting on your posts, don't comment..this is a tech discussion forum, after all.
I think we all can read and participate in the discussion be it you agree to it or not. And making the attempt to explain my reasoning for my post (which wasn't about marketing) isn't going around in circles. I simply want to make sure you understood my reasoning for the post you originally replied to. :p

Having said that it's clear we really don't know what to make of 6000 series at this time. It, IMO, generates some level of anticipation waiting for the release date so we can finally come to know what to expect. In hindsight, perhaps this is just one way to generate hype and awareness for the 6000 series. If it is, it's an effective one.
Posted on Reply
#115
cadaveca
My name is Dave
EastCoasthandleI think we all can read and participate in the discussion be it you agree to it or not. And making the attempt to explain my reasoning for my post (which wasn't about marketing) isn't going around in circles. I simply want to make sure you understood my reasoning for the post you originally replied to. :p

Having said that it's clear we really don't know what to make of 6000 series at this time. It, IMO, generates some level of anticipation waiting for the release date so we can finally come to know what to expect. In hindsight, perhaps this is just one way to generate hype and awareness for the 6000 series. If it is, it's an effective one.
:laugh:


Yes, we are just mincing words. And I understand your tact, and do not think what you said had anything to do with marketing...but as I said, that's not gonna change until the marketing does, and we'll more than likely be in the same situation on the next release.:wtf:


I mean, I had another Bhudda quote in my sig:

"All expectation leads to suffering"

I think it applies in this situation. :p

:D


Most of this hype is largely negative...kinda makes you wonder who is really behind it. I did go to Uni for psychology, so any attempts by AMD to subvert thier intent doesn't slip by me very easily. At this point in the game, it's not the right time to generate anything that might be negative hype...they do this so that when the real details come out, it seems so much better than it actually is...that needs to STOP, because I think it might jsut have an effect they aren't exactly expecting. Most people into tech as deeply as you and I, aren't exactly going to be swayed either way by such poor attempts.


:laugh:
Posted on Reply
#116
jasper1605
scaminatrixYou just reminded me of this thread! lol's
I just read that entire thread. That provided entertainment to me in a level that cannot be described by words. I vote the mods re-open it and let us all go back into it to start round 2: even invite dann back to join in. Maybe do a followup on the protest? :)
Posted on Reply
#117
Frizz
CHAOS_KILLAmy favourite one would definitely be the HD5870 1GB, with all three of those cards, I had no issues with them what so ever and they performed really well, even Crossfiring them was awesome but I did high temps with one of the cards mainly because the cards were sandwiched together, the temps weren't that bad it was mainly the fan speed dat annoyed me:roll:

Yeah I can't wait to see some spec details and benchies of these new cards:rockout::rockout:
Don't worry bro, I am taking care of your card like its my little baby :laugh:

It's soon to go on eBay and the FS thread once these new 6xxx gets released to our little town of Sydney :rockout:
Posted on Reply
#118
Hayder_Master
NdMk2o1o:slap: why would they have cuda and physx when they are both developed by NV? they have stream for gpgpu and well, as I said Physx is an NV (ageia) developed platform so your post makes no sense at all!!

Heck, I'm so pissed NV haven't got avivo :rolleyes:
and what about havook physics
Posted on Reply
#119
Formula350
I don't have time to read all 5 pages, have to get to sleep, so I apologize if I repost info...

That doesn't look photoshopped to me, and I can easily spot that sort of thing (makes watching TV/Movies painful being able to spot what's real and fake). There is no ATi logo on it, it clearly says "AMD" on the fan sticker, just like the recent revision that was made. The "pixelated" looking outline of the text is on the plastic cover is actually just how a vinyl sticker looks over plastic. Not saying it can't be pshopped, but sure looks to have a higher probability of being real than it does fake. :o

EDIT: Incase someone isn't up on the AMD Radeon logos that were released when AMD mentioned shelving the ATi brand. www.techautos.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/AMDradeonLogos.jpg
Posted on Reply
#120
Rebelstar
Well, what should I to do with my DP-VGA adapter since new card using mini-DP. To order another f****g adapter to have this scheme? DP-VGA -> miniDP-DP -> 68XX
It's like AMD abandoned army of eyefinity users: "Well, f**k them. We'll design new card with the new mini-dp slot and we don't care about their DP-VGA adapters"
Very dissapointing.
Posted on Reply
#121
wolf
Performance Enthusiast
jasper1605I just read that entire thread. That provided entertainment to me in a level that cannot be described by words. I vote the mods re-open it and let us all go back into it to start round 2: even invite dann back to join in. Maybe do a followup on the protest? :)
it's completely epic, I love it.
Posted on Reply
#122
Wile E
Power User
I wish ATI would stop putting display connectors across 2 slots. I want to be able to go single slot with a full coverage block.
Posted on Reply
#123
Unregistered
hmm i hope this bart will be faster than cypress to justify the name change
#124
bear jesus
RebelstarWell, what should I to do with my DP-VGA adapter since new card using mini-DP. To order another f****g adapter to have this scheme? DP-VGA -> miniDP-DP -> 68XX
It's like AMD abandoned army of eyefinity users: "Well, f**k them. We'll design new card with the new mini-dp slot and we don't care about their DP-VGA adapters"
Very dissapointing.
i would assume that most if nto all board partners will include at least one mini-DP to DP cable as was done with the 5970 so anyone using a display port adaptor should hopefully have everything needed in the box with the card.
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