Hardware News

AMD Radeon HD 6990 4GB Graphics Card Launched!

Patrick "MACMAC" MacMillan

2011-03-08 06:59:59.0


So it looks like Hardware Canucks have posted the very first official review of the AMD's latest über-high-end graphics cards, the dual-GPU Radeon HD 6990 4GB. This monster features two Radeon HD 6970 GPUs with a total of 3072 shaders and a 4GB 2x256-bit 5000Mhz GDDR5 memory interface. Power consumption numbers? A lofty 450W uncapped, but really 'only' 375W thanks to AMD's clever PowerTune Max technology.

Let's see what they had to say:

"What we have with Antilles is an experience which is which is quite a bit different from the ones its predecessors put forth. Instead of shaky game support, a Dust Buster-like acoustical profile and rampant core heat, the HD 6990 currently has a good driver foundation which backstops some truly impressive performance results. The GPUs themselves are kept relatively cool by way of an innovative cooling system that is no louder than a pair of HD 6950 cards. Unfortunately, the voltage regulator hiss is annoying and can usually be heard above any noise the fan makes.

Power consumption numbers may seem stratospheric for a single card but that’s the price one has to pay for class-leading framerates. With that being said, if put into context against competing dual card setups, AMD’s choice to pick low leakage cores coupled with relatively low temperatures tends to keep overall power needs at a lower point than many would have expected."


Well AMD have just managed to displace the long reigning Radeon HD 5970 as the fastest graphics card on the market, but for how long? NVIDIA are hot on their tracks and will be unveiling their very own dual GeForce GTX 500 series graphics card imminently.

Click here to read the full review.


Update:

Here are some of the other reviews that have rolled into my inbox:

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