The long-awaited dual GPU Graphics Core Next architecture Radeon HD 7990 has missed its original Computex reveal and will likely miss the July release suggested by previous rumors. Interestingly, VR-Zone China reportedly has some updated information on specifications and release date.
The 7970. Expect the 7990 to have a much larger PCB and heatsink!
The dual GPU 7990 will allegedly not be released until at least late August 2012. Further, it will be powered by four six-pin PCI-E power connectors, and will have 6GB of GDDR5 memory (total, 3GB per GPU). Connecting the two 7970 Tahiti XT GPU cores in CrossFire will be a PLX chip – similar to that found in the dual GPU NVIDIA GTX 690 graphics card. As far as video outputs, you can expect four mini-DisplayPorts and two dual-link DVI connectors.
Additionally, previous rumors suggested that the GPU cores would be clocked at 850 MHz, but that may not be the case now that AMD is seeing much better binning with its GHz Edition chips. Also unclear is whether or not the Radeon HD 7990 will have any sort of Powertune with Turbo boost technology like the 7970 GHz Edition. Being based on two 7970 GPU cores, you can look forward to 4,096 stream processors, 64 ROP units, and a dual slot design with three fans providing cooling for the heatsink.
Right now, AMD does not have an answer to the NVIDIA GTX 690 which has been on the market for a while. At this point, you may be better off getting two 7970 GHz Edition graphics cards and putting them in CrossFire. Granted, they are going to take up more space in your case but you can get them today, they will have GPU boost, and will likely cost less to boot. With that said, I do understand the allure of a dual GPU AMD card based on GCN and hope to see it soon.
Stay tuned for more Radeon 7990 coverage as it arrives.
I want to see this card
I want to see this card already!
I’m also curious to see performance differences between that and the 690. It looks like they will be very similar GPU-wise.
Is that one big heatsink for
Is that one big heatsink for 2 gpu’s? I’m curious to see what the temps are gonna be like.
^^Scratch that, didn’t
^^Scratch that, didn’t realize that was a pic of a 7970.^^
Heh yeah that’s a 7970.
Heh yeah that’s a 7970. Didn’t have a photo of the 7990 😉
What’s the point of releasing
What’s the point of releasing it so late. 8000 series is coming on same 28nm process so it can’t be that far away?
Um, how can they make this
Um, how can they make this card have “it will be powered by four six-pin PCI-E power connectors”. um hate to say that is gonna be a major turn off for buyers.
Hardly, if you have any
Hardly, if you have any decent PSU 4 6pins is of no consequence, running 2 of these in X-fire will be though.
4 6 pin pci power conectors?
4 6 pin pci power conectors? This card going to set a record for power consumed.
please mr. shrout, would you
please mr. shrout, would you call amd engineering department and ask them to lower the power consumption before releasing any new products? thanx!
Boy, am I ever glad I went
Boy, am I ever glad I went with triple 670s, instead of waiting for the 7990 dual GPU to replace my 5970 dual GPU. I figured I’d have to wait a month or so. I didn’t know I’d have to wait four or six months.