Friday, March 14th 2014
AMD "Hawaii" Based Dual-GPU Graphics Card Around the Corner?
AMD started sending editors / VGA reviewers of some leading tech websites envelopes labeled "Top Secret." In it, are Polaroid-sized photos of the editors. In each photo, there are two pictures of the same editor, with a cryptic handwritten note that reads "Wouldn't you agree that two is better than one?" Two such pictures are posted below, by our friends from AnandTech and PC Perspective. This stunt is leading some to believe that AMD is ready with a dual-GPU graphics card based on its "Hawaii" silicon, given that it began guerrilla-marketing it.
Given how power-hungry a single-GPU Radeon R9 290X is, the only way AMD can build a dual-GPU card that doesn't outdo your hairdryer in power consumption (and possibly noise), is by toning each GPU down in specifications. The "Hawaii" silicon could either be configured similar to the R9 290 (i.e. 2,560 SPs, 160 TMUs), with lower clock speeds; or tone it down even further, by disabling more GCN compute units. There's also the option of narrowing down the memory bus and ROP count.
Given how power-hungry a single-GPU Radeon R9 290X is, the only way AMD can build a dual-GPU card that doesn't outdo your hairdryer in power consumption (and possibly noise), is by toning each GPU down in specifications. The "Hawaii" silicon could either be configured similar to the R9 290 (i.e. 2,560 SPs, 160 TMUs), with lower clock speeds; or tone it down even further, by disabling more GCN compute units. There's also the option of narrowing down the memory bus and ROP count.
42 Comments on AMD "Hawaii" Based Dual-GPU Graphics Card Around the Corner?
www.cryptocoinsnews.com/2014/03/05/amd-hbm-scrypt-mining/
rumorscity.com/2014/03/06/amd-and-hynix-brings-massive-improvement-over-gddr5/
AMD - AMD Radeon™ HD 7990 Graphics Card
AMD has used the cooler in there FirePro series.
They already have an improved Heatsink with the one they used in the Sky 900
4x6 +4x8 design
Most of the pitch-fork cooler use that combo now. They could do 6+10 as Asus does but with a better Heatsink design.
4x8mm for each core would be ideal.
The 7990 also had 90mm fans running up to 4k rpm. Improving the fans to 92-95mm and a 2.0mm H2O its can stay under the designed 95c and still be quiet without needing to spin pass 2500rpm.
Is it possible yes. Will they do it probably not.
ueweenPC has some exclusive, confidential information about the upcoming Radeon R9 295X2.
According to their story, AMD has showcased the reference model of R9 295X2 behind the closed doors at CeBIT. Only few people had the opportunity to see it.
Dual-Hawaii is called AMD Radeon R9 295X2
The site claims that the official name is Radeon R9 295X2, not R9 290X2 as we previously believed. AMD already has few entry-level cards with a similar 2×5 naming nomenclature, so it is not very surprising. Speaking of 295, the codename does remind us about GeForce GTX 295, which was also a dual-GPU card.
AMD Radeon R9 295X2 is clocked at 1GHz
Official slides, which were shown to the editor of Bouweenpc supposedly confirm the clock speed of R9 295X2. Of course this also brings a lot of speculation whether R9 295X2 is even a full fledged Hawaii-based card or, for instance, it features 2560 SP versions.
AMD Radeon R9 295X2 has a hybrid cooler
AMD Radeon R9 295X2 would arrive with a hybrid cooling solution. The cooler would be equipped with an external 120mm fan, something similar to ASUS ARES II cooler (as shown below). Apparently two AMD partners confirmed that the sample shown at CeBIT was indeed a reference model.
This is a very interesting move from AMD, and probably one of the best ideas for dual-card so far. We all know that Hawaii-based cards do need a proper cooler, unless the owner is deaf.
What surprised me, is that reference cooler (which could’ve been just a prototype) wasn’t even red, instead it was covered in black and gray, but I’m quite sure AMD will paint it into more bloody colors.
AMD Radeon R9 295X2 will compete with GeForce GTX 790
Well, I know, who would’ve expected! The rumor has it that NVIDIA will push forward GTX 790 launch, so we should see both cards in a very short timeframe. AIB partners were officially briefed about the new card this week, so it’s probably a matter of few weeks (if not sooner) till we see first cards on the market.
Source: Bouweenpc / videocardz.com
Maybe the rad is a Monsta and the supplied fan(s) are 120x38 Delta's.
It has 41c to play with if it was using the same ARES II model cooler.
Asetek pump has been updated twice since this model. This is 2nd gen pump.
All current Asetek AIO CPU cooler pumps that have been out for a year use the 4th gen.
If it is a watercooled Asetek. It will probably be using 4th gen pump and improved fans since this ARES II model.
Just a comparison or two...G3D's Ares II and 290X CFX reviews (60 watts difference)
and HardOCP's ( 80 watts difference)
The Ares II was hitting 70C in overclocked state, so fair to say unless the heat dissipation of the new cooler is radically better than the Ares II, this prospective card is going to run warm once the clocks get ramped up....and I certainly don't think that anyone buying a watercooled high end card wont be overclocking it.
NVious ?
ASUS - ARES2-6GD5
ROG ARES II: dual HD 7970 GPUs and hybrid air/ liquid cooling
- Hybrid thermal design: dissipating heat equal to 600W with 2-slot air/liquid cooling
- First card with 13% faster and 31°C cooler performance than reference GTX 690
- Acclaimed DIGI+ VRM joins superior quality 20-phase Super Alloy Power for precise digital control, enhanced performance, reliability, and card longevity
- GPU Tweak: modify clock speeds, voltages, fan performance and more, all via an intuitive interface
Even if they are that lazy to just use this old Hybrid cooler it should be fine. Cost a lot and hard to find but should be fine. Chances are they updated it.Have fun hating or trolling I can never tell with you. :peace:
Duallies are usually more problematic, suffer in ability (OC) to two single cards, have more issues with drivers, lower resale, and generally aren't a saving over two separate cardsPathetic much?
Let's see how much praise you heap on the GTX 790 by comparison if you're squarking about even-handednessGiven the amount of both that you do, that is surprising.
Because you don't like dualies this one deserves your berating it even before anyone has seen and officially tested it?
Right so are we all banned from xfire and sli too then o lord ?
The 790 will likely be more refined going on Kepler efficiency. Good chance too that AMD will for broke with a hotter, louder, more power hungry card, with Nvidia losing (game depending) on the performance front.
Do and buy whatever you like. I'm expressing a personal opinion allied with a knowledge of previous experience. You know what Santayana said about the not learning from the past?
Care to name a dual GPU card that didn't suffer in comparison to two single GPU cards using the parameters I listed (OC potential, resale, price, drivers...)?So, you have a problem with people offering a negative opinion on an unreleased product...unless the people in question...are you?
On the GTX 750...Still on the GTX 750......and still on the GTX 750...
Overall, I think that the 7990's cooling wasn't all that bad, and above that, it was the first dual GPU card that was actually priced reasonably. I seriously considered buying one when the price dropped, but AMD lost my purchase due to the coil whine on the card.