facebook rss twitter

AMD's Radeon HD 7950 receives a boost, not quite a GHz edition

by Alistair Lowe on 16 August 2012, 10:50

Tags: AMD (NYSE:AMD)

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qabkyr

Add to My Vault: x

Responding to the threat of NVIDIA's Kepler line-up, AMD launched a GHz edition of the Radeon HD 7970, back in June, which introduced a higher clock and a boost frequency, enabled through adjustments to both the bios and Catalyst drivers, allowing cards to overvolt and overclock should power and thermal conditions permit it.

Unlike the HD 7970, this update to the HD 7950 will not have a special name and will, it seems, slowly replace existing offerings under the same title. Here's a quick comparison of the changes the new variant will bring:

AMD Radeon

HD 7970

GHz Edition

AMD Radeon

HD 7970

AMD Radeon

HD 7950

(w/Boost)

AMD Radeon

HD 7950

Stream Processors 2048 2048 1792 1792

Texture Units

128 128 112 112
ROPs 32 32 32 32
Core Clock 1000MHz 925MHz 850MHz 800MHz
Boost Clock 1050MHz N/A 925MHz N/A
Memory Clock 6GHz GDDR5 5.5GHz GDDR5 5GHz GDDR5 5GHz GDDR5
Memory Bus Width 384-bit 384-bit 384-bit 384-bit
VRAM 3GB 3GB 3GB 3GB
FP64 1/4 1/4 1/4 1/4
Transistor Count 4.31B 4.31B 4.31B 4.31B
PowerTune Limit 250W+ 250W 225W 200W
Manufacturing Process TSMC 28nm TSMC 28nm TSMC 28nm TSMC 28nm
Architecture GCN GCN GCN GCN
Launch Date 22/06/2012 09/01/2012 17/08/2012 31/01/2012

Unlike the HD 7970 GHz Edition, the new boosted Radeon HD 7950 features an increase in core clock only, with memory staying put at 5GHz. A Boost clock has now been introduced and the effective power consumption limit has been raised to allow the PowerTune Boost system to work its magic. With these improvements, the AMD Radeon HD 7950 with Boost will clock in anywhere between 6 and 16 percent greater that its Boost-free predecessor.

SAPPHIRE HD 7950 3GB OC with Boost Vapor-X Edition

SAPPHIRE has been quick to the mark with this product refresh and has already announced the SAPPHIRE HD 7950 3GB OC with Boost Vapor-X Edition, offering all of the above, however with a Boost frequency of 950MHz as opposed to the standard 925MHz, activated through a toggle-able dual-bios. No doubt the increase in speed is made possible with the firm's unique Vapour-X cooling system, which claims to offer increased cooling performance at lower noise levels.

Expect other OEMs to catch on fast and follow-up with their own boards shortly.



HEXUS Forums :: 5 Comments

Login with Forum Account

Don't have an account? Register today!
I hope they make it clear which model you get. I can see a lot of confused customers! Should have just called it a 7855/7860!.
This boost (bios) is a good move and is welcomed by most people that do not overclock or volt their reference cards, plus the addition of Auto Boost.

I want to see max Overclock or Performance potential of the GTX660 Vs the HD7950 before I make my Purchase, as should everyone else waiting for the GTX660 (of course price is important).
I think 7950,7870 and 7850 will reduce the price because of Gtx 660ti come out。From the permance test result, 660ti show really impressive。Maybe ur guys can try to buy a discount 7950 in september。
A good graphic card to make Overcloking, but u will need H2O or LN2 for up Mhz…