At the end of last year, AMD introduced the first new generation video card – Radeon HD 7970. In early January, the fee appeared on sale and in our tests. Now we will tell you what AMD came up with this and how much the new generation is faster than its predecessors.
Change of course
First news: Architecture is no longer used in Radeon VLIW ( Very Long Instruction Word ). Replaced her GCN ( Graphics Core Next ), on which the fresh series of chips under the code name is built Tahiti.
Old developments were abandoned for a very simple reason. The fact is that the basis of past graphic chips was SIMD -Blocks. In the latest version Vliw4 Each such set included 16 stream processors, and those, in turn, consisted of four Alu. All crystals inside the SIMD module performed the same instructions up to four scalar operations, but used different data. For graphic calculations, this approach was justified: the operations were perfectly dispersed, and the order of their execution was easily predicted – and the function of the planner was transferred to the compiler. However, to conduct general calculations, the vliw architecture was ineffective – the abundance of branches led to a sharp loss of performance. And this meant that AMD actually gave NVIDIA to the most market of workers and server computers.
In the case of GCN, the graphic core is assembled from blocks Compute Unit , including a planner and four vector modules of 16 ALU in each. Instructions for these modules are submitted in the form of special arrays, the sequence of the execution of which is determined by the planner – he has access to 32 data sets at once, so even with an abundance of branches he has where to turn around. In addition, Compute Unit contains a separate scalar module for processing one -time operations that do not need a power of 16 ALU. Thus, the new architecture allows you to minimize the downtime of computing blocks, regardless of the type of data processed. Plus, you can flexibly configure the power of the crystal with GCN. You no longer need to take a top chip and artificially block part of the resources on it or underestimate the speed of work – it is enough to physically remove the “extra” compute unit.
By bricks
The top version of Tahiti with the XT index has 32 Compute Unit and 2048 Alu! Each block has its own L1 memory at 16 KB and access to a total L2-kesh with a volume of 768 KB. Communication at both levels is carried out through 64-bit tire. For comparison: in the chip Cayman on HD 6970 it was 1792 ALU, 8 KB L1-Kash and 512 KB L2-Kash, and the tire was four times.
The number of raster blocks in Tahiti XT is 32, and TMU – 128 pieces. Note that the increase in functional blocks relative to Cayman is small: the number of “textures” increased by a third, and the ROP set has not changed at all.
As before, the chip uses two rasterizers and a tesseller, but the latter has changed a lot. According to AMD, in certain conditions, the new engine demonstrates four -fold superiority over the predecessor.
Increased computational power required an increase in memory capacity. The problem was solved by the transition from 256 to 384-bit tire. The type of memory remained the same – GDDR5.
More and better
Additional GPU blocks were also processed. For example, energy consumption control system PowerTune From now on it does not drop the frequency, but, on the contrary, tries to increase it. It works about the same as Turbo Boost In crystals Intel. There is a reserve for TDP – we disperse, no – we take off the moment.
Another novelty is technology Zerocore. She automatically turns off the GPU and stops the fan when the computer goes into waiting mode. In addition, when using Crossfirex, additional boards are disconnected during downtime.
Video decoding unit UVD I got the support of additional formats and learned to more effectively eliminate the trembling of the camera thanks to support Steady Video 2.0. But what is much more important – he has a neighbor Vce ( Video Codec Engine ) who is engaged in the opposite work, that is, encoding video streams. Unfortunately, the new development supports only the codec h.264. But the block can work in cooperation with the ALU of the graphic processor, which means that the coding rate should exceed all reasonable limits. True, it is still impossible to check this – the developers have not yet released software for working with VCE.
Soft
Algorithms of anisotropic filtration changed in Tahiti. High resolution textures are now even better processed, the angles of rotation no longer play a role, and AF activation almost does not affect performance.
The new function deserves attention Partially Resident Textures , which will be useful to 3D modellars. When working with large volume textures, GPU allows system memory to address data. In this case, only fragments of textures, most in demand at the moment, are loaded in GDDR5.
Finally, together with Radeon HD 7970, the second version of the technology was presented Eyefinity , allows you to push the picture into several displays (read more on the neighboring pages). The maximum number of screens is still six, but a lot of new. Firstly, the resolution of the combined screen increased to incredible 16,000 x 16,000. Secondly, Eyefinity can now work simultaneously with HD3D. Thirdly, the technology acquired the support of five displays located in one row, and both album and portrait orientation are allowed. Fourthly, the central monitor can now be more than the rest vertically. And finally, fifthly, Eyefinity is now working on Crossfirex ligaments.
Sample
New architecture and abundance of additional functions turned Tahiti into the most difficult GPU of our time. The chip has a record 4.31 billion transistors, more than two times more than Cayman, and a third – than that GF110 on GeForce GTX 580. At the same time, the new crystal is smaller than the predecessor in size, which became possible thanks to the transition to the 28-nm process process. Thin norms also allowed to keep TDP within the rational – 250 watts – and do not redraw the design of the board.
The length of the reference HD 7970 is 27 centimeters. The center is located 45 degrees GPU, around which a dozen chips GDDR5 are located. The power subsystem is built according to the 5+1 scheme and equipped with two inputs-6-Pin and 8-PIN. Radeon HD 7970 is equipped with a pair of BIOS chips, the choice between which is made by the switch to the board. The new PCIe 3 is used as the interface.0.
The video output includes DVI-I, HDMI 1.4A and a couple of Mini DisplayPort 1.2. Although there are only four connectors, you can connect up to six monitors to the video card. To do this, you will need special MST-Habs that share the signal from the Mini DisplayPort.
The operating frequency of the GPU is 925 MHz, and the memory operates at 5.5 GHz. A two -story cooler is responsible for cooling the novelty. The design of with HD 6970 is borrowed – an evaporative camera with aluminum ribs soldered to it. However, there are some differences: the radiator has become a little larger, the diameter of the turbine increased to 75 mm, and the ventilation grill on the back wall now occupies the entire available area. Another positive change is a new casing. It is optimized for crossfirex ligaments, and it looks much prettier.
Iron
We did not succeed in getting a reference version of HD 7970, so we ordered a fee from the company XFX , which was the first to introduce a non -standard version of the new AMD flagship. The main difference XFX R7970 DOUBLE DISSIPATION – Own cooling system. Engineers abandoned the elongated case with the exhaust hole in the back and covered a huge radiator with an aluminum casing with sharp corners. A noisy cylindrical fan was sent to the landing dump, replacing it with a pair of 75 mm turntables of standard design.
The rest of the XFX R7970 Double Dissipation fully complies with AMD requirements. All frequencies are reference, power is supplied 6- and 8-pin forks, and the output set is one DVI C HDMI and the Mini DisplayPort pair.
The choice of competitors for the new flagship was determined quickly – the entire top of the current generation. And this GeForce GTX 580 , GTX 590 And Radeon HD 6970. We also really wanted to compare the map with last year's winner of all comparative tests – HD 6990 , but it was impossible to get it in Russia.
The stand for the top video cards collected the appropriate. The platform was chosen as the basis Intel X58 Express on the motherboard GIGABYTE X58A-UD3R. Put a processor on it Intel Core i7-920 , They hoisted the cooler Cooler Master V6 , added three ranges of RAM Kingston Hyperx DDR3-1666 MHz And installed Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit on a solid -state drive Kingston SSDNOW with a capacity of 64 GB.
The list of tests included synthetic 3dmark 11 And Unigine Heaven Benchmark 2.5 And four games: Resident Evil 5 , Dirt 2 , Aliens vs. Predator And Just Cause 2. All settings were put to the maximum, permission was varied from 1680×1050 to 1920×1080, the level of anti -aliasing – from 4 to 8x.
The results were more than impressive. In the first benchmark – 3dmark 11 – HD 7970 wiped her nose not only to the past generation in the person of HD 6970, but also bypassed the GTX 580 by 16%. In Unitine Heaven Benchmark 2.0 The gap was slightly reduced and amounted to 16% and 9%, respectively. Did not give in HD 7970 and in games. And even if in the Resident Evil 5 she came off by only a few percent, but in the heavy aliens vs. Predator overtook HD 6970 by 17%, and GTX 580 by 19%. A similar situation has developed in Just Cuse 2, only this time the single -chip flagship NVIDIA was 27%! AMD missed the advantage only in Dirt 2 – GTX 580. HD 7970 failed to win in a dispute with GTX 590. The two-Processor monster brought a competitor 24-45% and lost only in Just CAUSE 2 and Resident Evil 5.
AMD Radeon HD 7970 – Breakthrough in the video cards market. The fee was not only faster than all of its single -processor competitors, but also much more economical and quieter. Perhaps the only drawback of HD 7970 is the price. The map became the most expensive in the history of AMD. In the West, 17,000 rubles are asked for her. We have from 19,000 rubles. And against this background, the performance increase relative to HD 6970 by only 19% does not look too impressive. However, we will not draw hasty conclusions and wait for what Nvidia will answer this. After all, when you read these lines, the first https://samiland-casino.co.uk/ samples on the basis of the new architecture should come to our editorial office Kepler
Younger brother
A month after the announcement of the Radeon HD 7970, AMD announced the release of another representative of the series – HD 7950. The fee turned out to be much cheaper than the flagship and was equal in price to GeForce GTX 580 – 15,000 rubles.
Minus four
The novelty is based on a graphic processor Tahiti Pro. It is equipped with 28 COMPUTE Units instead of 32 by the senior Tahiti XT. This means that the number of ALU decreased from 2048 to 1792 pieces, and "textures" – from 128 to 112 blocks. The rest of the technical filling remained the same. 32 ROP are responsible for the image, the memory costs 3 GB GDDR5. To additionally brake the card, AMD reduced the main frequencies of work. GPU now operates at 800 instead of 925 MHz, and memory – 5 versus 5.5 GHz at HD 7970.
Outwardly HD 7950 is no different from its senior fellow. For cooling, the same CO with an evaporative camera and a cylindrical radiator displaced to the back end of the board is responsible. Only the supply connectors have changed: the card is enough two 6-pin pcie forks, which provide the necessary 200 watts. As for supported technologies, that is, Zerocore, Powertune, and UVD C VCE.
So different
It is interesting that with HD 7950 the developers did not put pressure on manufacturers and from the very first days allowed to change the cooling system and the design of the printed circuit board. For example, our test PowerColor HD 7950 PCS+ differs in non -standard operating frequencies and the original cooling system. On the processor, it is based on a copper base that has been tuned on a small radiator through which three aluminum heat pipes pass. The main cooler is typed with 45 aluminum plates 0.4 mm thick. Two standard 85 mm turntables are responsible for the removal of hot air, which protrude a little beyond the body.
Differs HD 7950 PCS+ and operating frequencies. Like most manufacturers, PowerColor decided that 800 MHz for Tahiti Pro was not enough, and set the speed of the GPU at 880 MHz. But the memory did not touch – the standard 3 GB GDDR5 is 5 GHz.
Miracle
We tested a new board in three modes. First – at the manufacturer's settings. The second – reference frequencies recommended by AMD itself. Third – manual acceleration to 1.1 GHz on the processor and up to 5.5 GHz from memory. The same system was used as a test stand as for the senior HD 7970. Without changes left a list of competitors.
At the standard frequency of HD 7950 there was enough power to not only bypass your predecessor in the person of HD 6970, but also wipe the nose close in cost GTX 580. The gap between the boards was, respectively, 9% and 2%. With factory overclocking, HD 7950 added another 4% in all tests. Well, after manual raising the frequencies, she managed to get around even the flagship of the series!
***
At the moment, HD 7950 looks much more interesting than the older version. Pozhevhev by almost 20%, the card lost only 8% of performance and at the same time acquired a huge accelerated potential.
Table 1.
Technical characteristics
The core
AMD Radeon HD 7970
Tahiti
AMD Radeon HD 6970
Cayman
Nvidia GeForce GTX 580
GF110
Nvidia GeForce GTX 590
2x GF110
The number of transistors
AMD Radeon HD 7970
4.31 billion
AMD Radeon HD 6970
1.95 billion
Nvidia GeForce GTX 580
3 billion
Nvidia GeForce GTX 590
2x 3 billion
Process process
AMD Radeon HD 7970
28 Nm
AMD Radeon HD 6970
40 Nm
Nvidia GeForce GTX 580
40 Nm
Nvidia GeForce GTX 590
40 Nm
The number of stream processors
AMD Radeon HD 7970
2048 pcs.
AMD Radeon HD 6970
1536 pcs.
Nvidia GeForce GTX 580
512 pcs.
Nvidia GeForce GTX 590
2x 512 pcs.
The frequency of the graphic nucleus
AMD Radeon HD 7970
925 MHz
AMD Radeon HD 6970
880 MHz
Nvidia GeForce GTX 580
772 MHz
Nvidia GeForce GTX 590
607 MHz
Frequency of stream processors
AMD Radeon HD 7970
925 MHz
AMD Radeon HD 6970
880 MHz
Nvidia GeForce GTX 580
1544 MHz
Nvidia GeForce GTX 590
1214 MHz
Type, memory volume
AMD Radeon HD 7970
GDDR5, 3 GB
AMD Radeon HD 6970
GDDR5, 2 GB
Nvidia GeForce GTX 580
GDDR5, 1.5 GB
Nvidia GeForce GTX 590
GDDR5, 3 GB
Memory frequency
AMD Radeon HD 7970
5500 MHz
AMD Radeon HD 6970
5500 MHz
Nvidia GeForce GTX 580
4008 MHz
Nvidia GeForce GTX 590
3414 MHz
Data tire
AMD Radeon HD 7970
320 bits
AMD Radeon HD 6970
256 bits
Nvidia GeForce GTX 580
320 bits
Nvidia GeForce GTX 590
320 bits
The number of texture blocks
AMD Radeon HD 7970
128 pcs.
AMD Radeon HD 6970
96 pcs.
Nvidia GeForce GTX 580
64 pcs.
Nvidia GeForce GTX 590
2x 64 pcs.
The number of rasterization blocks
AMD Radeon HD 7970
32 pcs.
AMD Radeon HD 6970
32 pcs.
Nvidia GeForce GTX 580
46 pcs.
Nvidia GeForce GTX 590
2x 46 pcs.
Energy consumption
AMD Radeon HD 7970
250 watts
AMD Radeon HD 6970
250 watts
Nvidia GeForce GTX 580
244 watts
Nvidia GeForce GTX 590
365 watts
The length of the board
AMD Radeon HD 7970
270 mm
AMD Radeon HD 6970
270 mm
Nvidia GeForce GTX 580
267 mm
Nvidia GeForce GTX 590
280 mm
Interface
AMD Radeon HD 7970
PCIE 3.0 x16
AMD Radeon HD 6970
PCIE 2.0 x16
Nvidia GeForce GTX 580
PCIE 2.0 x16
Nvidia GeForce GTX 590
PCIE 2.0 x16
Price for January 2012
AMD Radeon HD 7970
19,000 rubles
AMD Radeon HD 6970
10 500 rubles
Nvidia GeForce GTX 580
14,500 rubles
Nvidia GeForce GTX 590
24,500 rubles
Table 2
Synthetic tests
3dmark 11
Graphics
XFX R7970 DOUBLE DISSIPATION
7326
VTX Radeon HD 6970
5506
Zotac GeForce GTX 580 AMP! Edition (772/4008 MHz)
6182
Point of View GeForce GTX 590
9729
Physics
XFX R7970 DOUBLE DISSIPATION
5210
VTX Radeon HD 6970
5200
Zotac GeForce GTX 580 AMP! Edition (772/4008 MHz)
4653
Point of View GeForce GTX 590
5287
Score
XFX R7970 DOUBLE DISSIPATION
6603
VTX Radeon HD 6970
5367
Zotac GeForce GTX 580 AMP! Edition (772/4008 MHz)
5746
Point of View GeForce GTX 590
7922
%
XFX R7970 DOUBLE DISSIPATION
100%
VTX Radeon HD 6970
75%
Zotac GeForce GTX 580 AMP! Edition (772/4008 MHz)
84%
Point of View GeForce GTX 590
132%
Unigine Heaven Benchmark 2.5
Fps
XFX R7970 DOUBLE DISSIPATION
32.6
VTX Radeon HD 6970
24.1
Zotac GeForce GTX 580 AMP! Edition (772/4008 MHz)
29.6
Point of View GeForce GTX 590
46.9
Score
XFX R7970 DOUBLE DISSIPATION
822
VTX Radeon HD 6970
606
Zotac GeForce GTX 580 AMP! Edition (772/4008 MHz)
747
Point of View GeForce GTX 590
1181
%
XFX R7970 DOUBLE DISSIPATION
100%
VTX Radeon HD 6970
74%
Zotac GeForce GTX 580 AMP! Edition (772/4008 MHz)
91%
Point of View GeForce GTX 590
144%
Table 3.
Game tests (personnel per second)
Resident Evil 5 (DX10)
High, 1680×1050, AF 16X, AA 4X
XFX R7970 DOUBLE DISSIPATION
103.2
VTX Radeon HD 6970
101
Zotac GeForce GTX 580 AMP! Edition (772/4008 MHz)
99
Point of View GeForce GTX 590
93.9
High, 1680×1050, AF 16X, AA 8x
XFX R7970 DOUBLE DISSIPATION
102.3
VTX Radeon HD 6970
99.3
Zotac GeForce GTX 580 AMP! Edition (772/4008 MHz)
95.1
Point of View GeForce GTX 590
93.7
High, 1920×1080, AF 16X, AA 4X
XFX R7970 DOUBLE DISSIPATION
102.4
VTX Radeon HD 6970
98.8
Zotac GeForce GTX 580 AMP! Edition (772/4008 MHz)
98.6
Point of View GeForce GTX 590
89.5
High, 1920×1080, AF 16X, AA 8x
XFX R7970 DOUBLE DISSIPATION
101.5
VTX Radeon HD 6970
97.8
Zotac GeForce GTX 580 AMP! Edition (772/4008 MHz)
92.5
Point of View GeForce GTX 590
91.3
%
XFX R7970 DOUBLE DISSIPATION
100%
VTX Radeon HD 6970
97%
Zotac GeForce GTX 580 AMP! Edition (772/4008 MHz)
94%
Point of View GeForce GTX 590
90%
Aliens vs. Predator (DX11)
Veryhigh, 1680×1050, AF 16X, AA 2X
XFX R7970 DOUBLE DISSIPATION
76.6
VTX Radeon HD 6970
61.1
Zotac GeForce GTX 580 AMP! Edition (772/4008 MHz)
63
Point of View GeForce GTX 590
94.3
Veryhigh, 1680×1050, AF 16X, AA 4X
XFX R7970 DOUBLE DISSIPATION
65.9
VTX Radeon HD 6970
57.7
Zotac GeForce GTX 580 AMP! Edition (772/4008 MHz)
53.3
Point of View GeForce GTX 590
81.3
Veryhigh, 1920×1080, AF 16X, AA 2X
XFX R7970 DOUBLE DISSIPATION
68.9
VTX Radeon HD 6970
55.1
Zotac GeForce GTX 580 AMP! Edition (772/4008 MHz)
56.7
Point of View GeForce GTX 590
85.4
Veryhigh, 1920×1080, AF 16X, AA 4X
XFX R7970 DOUBLE DISSIPATION
59.2
VTX Radeon HD 6970
51.1
Zotac GeForce GTX 580 AMP! Edition (772/4008 MHz)
48
Point of View GeForce GTX 590
73.5
%
XFX R7970 DOUBLE DISSIPATION
100%
VTX Radeon HD 6970
83%
Zotac GeForce GTX 580 AMP! Edition (772/4008 MHz)
81%
Point of View GeForce GTX 590
124%
Dirt 2 (DX11)
Ultra, 1680×1050, AF 16X, AA 4X
XFX R7970 DOUBLE DISSIPATION
98
VTX Radeon HD 6970
78.5
Zotac GeForce GTX 580 AMP! Edition (772/4008 MHz)
125.2
Point of View GeForce GTX 590
117.8
Ultra, 1680×1050, AF 16X, AA 8x
XFX R7970 DOUBLE DISSIPATION
89.1
VTX Radeon HD 6970
75.5
Zotac GeForce GTX 580 AMP! Edition (772/4008 MHz)
116.3
Point of View GeForce GTX 590
122.9
Ultra, 1920×1080, AF 16X, AA 4X
XFX R7970 DOUBLE DISSIPATION
89
VTX Radeon HD 6970
76
Zotac GeForce GTX 580 AMP! Edition (772/4008 MHz)
117.5
Point of View GeForce GTX 590
119.2
Ultra, 1920×1080, AF 16X, AA 8x
XFX R7970 DOUBLE DISSIPATION
83.5
VTX Radeon HD 6970
73.7
Zotac GeForce GTX 580 AMP! Edition (772/4008 MHz)
109.9
Point of View GeForce GTX 590
121
%
XFX R7970 DOUBLE DISSIPATION
100%
VTX Radeon HD 6970
84%
Zotac GeForce GTX 580 AMP! Edition (772/4008 MHz)
131%
Point of View GeForce GTX 590
134%
Just CAUSE 2 (DX11)
High, 1680×1050, AF 16X, AA 4X
XFX R7970 DOUBLE DISSIPATION
119.1
VTX Radeon HD 6970
83.6
Zotac GeForce GTX 580 AMP! Edition (772/4008 MHz)
68.9
Point of View GeForce GTX 590
58.2
High, 1680×1050, AF 16X, AA 8x
XFX R7970 DOUBLE DISSIPATION
103.4
VTX Radeon HD 6970
74.8
Zotac GeForce GTX 580 AMP! Edition (772/4008 MHz)
62.9
Point of View GeForce GTX 590
63.5
High, 1920×1080, AF 16X, AA 4X
XFX R7970 DOUBLE DISSIPATION
111.9
VTX Radeon HD 6970
76.1
Zotac GeForce GTX 580 AMP! Edition (772/4008 MHz)
65.1
Point of View GeForce GTX 590
61.3
High, 1920×1080, AF 16X, AA 8x
XFX R7970 DOUBLE DISSIPATION
93.2
VTX Radeon HD 6970
67.1
Zotac GeForce GTX 580 AMP! Edition (772/4008 MHz)
62.7
Point of View GeForce GTX 590
62
%
XFX R7970 DOUBLE DISSIPATION
100%
VTX Radeon HD 6970
71%
Zotac GeForce GTX 580 AMP! Edition (772/4008 MHz)
61%
Point of View GeForce GTX 590
57%
Table 4.
Price/performance ratio
Performance
AMD Radeon HD 7970
100%
AMD Radeon HD 7950
96%
AMD Radeon HD 6970
81%
Nvidia GeForce GTX 580
90%
Nvidia GeForce GTX 590
114%
Price
AMD Radeon HD 7970
100%
AMD Radeon HD 7950
79%
AMD Radeon HD 6970
55%
Nvidia GeForce GTX 580
76%
Nvidia GeForce GTX 590
128%