AMD Radeon HD 6800 Reference Models Pictured

[btarunr]

Here are the press-shots given to us by AMD, of the Radeon HD 6000 series graphics cards, in their reference design. The Radeon HD 6870 was pictured from one angle much earlier, but this new deck of pictures show you the card from other angles. There is also the first set of pictures of the Radeon HD 6850 with its premium blower-type cooler. Partners can opt for this design, or choose a more cost-effective cooler design which isn't much more than a fan-heatsink over the GPU, probably heatsinks over the memory/VRM, and an egg-shaped cooler shroud. Past history has shown that when presented with two reference design cooler options, most AIB partners have chosen the cheaper one, for obvious reasons.

The styling looks a little carried forward from the HD 5000 series (black and red), only this time, the streaks of red-lines are on the top and rear-end of the card, not its obverse side (which now has a flame sticker). The sticker design around the fan intake is suggestive of an "eye", keeping up with the theme for this series and a trio of new "Eye" features the Radeon HD 6000 series will carry, one of them being next-generation Eyefinity. The Radeon HD 6800 draws power from two 6-pin power inputs, while the HD 6850 makes do with just one. Another important feature-change evident from these pictures is that the 6800 lacks support for 3-way and 4-way CrossFireX, there's only one CFI finger.



More pictures follow.



Finally, the branding. AMD is positioning this performance SKU as the Radeon HD 6800 series, even when its GPU is intended to be a generational evolution over the "Juniper" Radeon HD 5700 series products, for three reasons we can think of:

• Radeon HD 6800 series is too fast to sell at the price points HD 5700 series sells, so it warrants a slightly higher price point
• Selling at those price-points won't go well with the 6700 series brand-identifier, hence HD 6800 series. Instead HD 6800 will fall in the same league which both GPU vendors refer to as the "gamer's sweet-spot", which figuratively is a price range between $199~$249
• AMD wants to consolidate all high-end SKUs into the Radeon HD 6900 series, it's wasteful letting a low-volume, ultra-high end, dual-GPU SKU occupy the whole of it

To put this graphically, we'll cite a slide sourced from ChipHell.

[LAN_deRf_HA]

Wonder if the 69xx cards will have backplates.

[bear jesus]

I love the new style blower coolers and i really like the AMD stickers over things like the woman on the sapphire card (are sapphire and other brands teasing most geeks with what they don't have? ).

Originally Posted by LAN_deRf_HA

Wonder if the 69xx cards will have backplates.

It looks like these don't but it was the same for the 57xx and 58xx was it not? as in none of the 57xx but the 5870 did... not sure if the 5850 did though, makes me wonder if the 5870 got one due to is length thus better off having a bit more support.
I would geuss that if cayman xt is pretty long it would have one as well but unsure about cayman pro

One more thing, the slide showing the new and old models makes me hope/wish it means that cayman xt would be very close to hemlock.

[Jizzler]

AMD wants to consolidate all high-end SKUs into the Radeon HD 6900 series, it's wasteful letting a low-volume, ultra-high end, dual-GPU SKU occupy the whole of it

I thought that was the whole point! A level of performance and extravagance that should only go to one or two models. And there was some variety - 6 and 12 port Eyefinity, 2GB and 4GB.

Anyhoo... will see how the 68xx fair. Skipped upgrading last year, but not this year!

[wolf]

that is a kickass looking reference design, I love the look of a really square black box of powaaa

[beautyless]

Simply design but overall is sexiest, mature, luxurious.

[Steevo]

The monolith.

[RejZoR]

I just don't understand who's the idiot in the design department that makes opening on the side of the card when the exhaust is in the back. The whole point of exhaust coolers is to vent the heat out, but no, they have tod ump it inside as well. Why don't they just stick a massive heatpipe and dump all the heat inside Even with all the connectors, the exhaust is big enough for proper cooling.

[happita]

AMD, give me a 2GB 6970 so I will have a reason to do a total upgrade!

[bear jesus]

Originally Posted by RejZoR

I just don't understand who's the idiot in the design department that makes opening on the side of the card when the exhaust is in the back. The whole point of exhaust coolers is to vent the heat out, but no, they have tod ump it inside as well. Why don't they just stick a massive heatpipe and dump all the heat inside Even with all the connectors, the exhaust is big enough for proper cooling.

The holes in the side are blocked according to other articles, it's only past the red strip they are real vents just like the 5xxx cards.

Originally Posted by happita

AMD, give me a 2GB 6970 so I will have a reason to do a total upgrade!

As with the 5870 there will be 2gb 6970's