amd

WSGF Episode 12 - 6/4/2014

www.wsgf.org - "Wider is better"

The WSGF had the opportunity to sit down and chat with AMD about the new Catalyst 14.6 update. This update is not to be missed, and brought several new features to the virtual table (desktop):

• Mixed Resolution Eyefinity
• One-Click Eyefinity Configuration
• New Linux Drivers/Support

I wanted to let everyone know that we do have reviews in the works for the just announced Radeon R7 & R9 series. I have an R7 260X 2GB, R9 270X 2GB and R9 280X 3GB in my posession. I knew that AMD was having the Tech Day broadcast from Hawaii, but was surprised to learn soon after that I would be receiving cards. I actually got the cards delivered before I got the emails from AMD. Following the cards there was a press briefing last week, along with the usual slideshow press deck.

Prior to this I was neck deep in two articles for the WSGF. The first article was looking at the gaming power of the latest AMD A10 APUs. The second was a large CPU shoot-out to look at a range of CPU/APUs and their real-world impact on gaming. While I would have loved to jump into the new GPUs, I was simply too deep into the testing cycle on these existing platforms. That testing has completed, and I have updated my test rig to boot. I have migrated to an AMD FX-8350, and upgraded to a 480GB SSD as my primary drive.

Thanks for your patience, and please let me know if there are any particular titles you would like for me to test.

Today AMD lifted the embargo on information regarding the Radeon HD 7990 launch. Unfortunately we weren't able to secure a review sample prior to the launch, but have been assured that we will receive one shortly.

The card is basically 2x Radeon HD 7970 GHz Editions smooshed into one package. The card is clocked at base 950Hz, with a boost of 1GHz. It boasts 6GB of VRAM and five outputs (4x Mini-DP + 1DL-DVI). The card was also designed to be virtually silent, and clocks in quieter than a library. The card also comes with seven high-profile AAA games in the box, which can help reduce the pain of its $999 price tag.

Included are slides from the press deck that AMD shares with us on their recent conference call. Click them to embiggen.

AMD recently announced that they have added Ubsisoft's upcoming title "Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon" to their Never Settle Reloaded game bundle. The game will be offered for all GPUs offered in the existing bundle, from the HD 7970 all the way down to the HD 7770 GHz Edition.

They are also offered the title retroactively for anyone who has previously redeemed a Never Settle Reloaded code.

I honestly didn't think we'd see a dual-GPU card from AMD in this generation, but I'm happy to be proven wrong. AMD unveiled the Radeon HD 7990 at GDC last night. The code named "Malta" card is 2x 7970 Tahiti TX2 GPUs merged together in a dual-slot form factor. It comes with 4x Mini-DP and 1x DL-DVI connections. The card was also used to demo the just announced Battlefield 4.

It will use 2x 8-pin connectors for external power, and expected to run north of 1GHz on each GCN core (boost speed). The card is expected to release soon, with AIB partners possibly offering custom solutions as well.

With the release of Tomb Raider, AMD announced a released a new DX11 feature - TressFX. In case you haven't seen the results, I've put together this comparison using the Tomb Raider benchmark feature.

AMD recently held a conference call to clear up concerns and misconceptions regarding its product roadmap for 2013. The bottom line is that they are focusing on the existing HD 7000 series for the better part of 2013, but will launch new products into the channel before the end of the year. The recent "Sea Islands" product roadmap is geared toward OEMs who turn out yearly product updates.

Bulleted details from the call are as follows:

Is AMD's latest bundle any good? It's their second stab at a major bundle in just the last few months. In the latter part of 2012, AMD launched a marketing tie-in that bundled several games with its top end video cards. The one thing that stood out with this promotion is that the games were both (1) good, and (2) not old. To much surprise AMD's "Never Settle" bundle included then-current high profile titles such as Far Cry 3, Hitman Absolution, Sleeping Dogs and Medal of Honor: Warfighter with its AMD Radeon HD 7800 and 7900 series cards.

The whole reason to buy a new graphics card is to play newer games. The catch-22 is that after the purchase you often have little money left over to purchase said games. In the past, gaming bundles usually included lower end titles, or favorites of yesteryear. While it was great for a marketing campaign, these bundles often proven to have limited value for gamers. A good bundle to be the tipping point to splurging on a new card. And AMD is hoping you see things that way.

Remember to install Cap 2 for Far Cry 3 as well as the drivers.

FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE AMD CATALYST 12.11 BETA11 DRIVER

AMD Catalyst 12.11 Beta11 is now available, and includes the following updates:
(Please note that AMD Catalyst 12.11 Beta11 includes all of the fixes found in previous versions of AMD Catalyst 12.11 Beta)

• Improves performance in Far Cry 3 (up to 25% with 8xMSAA, SSAO enabled @ 1600p, and up to 15% with 8xMSAA, HDAO enabled @1600p) (AMD Catalyst 12.11 CAP2 must also be installed)