Saturday, October 23
Radeyawn
So AMD has released the first of the Radeon 6000 cards, and they're, how shall I put this, underwhelming.
The previous high-end cards were the 5850 and 5870; we now have the 6850 and 6870, which are actually slower than their counterparts from last year. What AMD appear to have done is bump the numbers up a notch, so that the new midrange cards - what would have been the 6750 and 6770 - are now sold in the high-end number range, where they fail to impress.
The real high-end cards will now be the 6950 and 6970, due to launch next month. For now, we have a 6870 with about the same price and performance and power consumption of the old 5850.
I had a very different article drafted based on the leaked specs from last weak. Unfortunately it turned out that the leak was a lie, and the truth was much less interesting.
This isn't all AMD's fault, though: The new chips were originally designed to be built on TSMC's 32nm process. Since TSMC doesn't have a 32nm process, AMD was forced to change its plans, which ended up making the chips slower and hotter and more expensive. The real next-gen cards should land next year, assuming TSMC pull their finger out.
Pricing in Oz is varied to say the least, ranging from a quite reasonable A$288 for the 6870, including 10% sales tax (for a US$240 card, about A$245) to a frankly delusional A$500. Ignoring the crazy prices at the high end, the new cards are at least decent value for money.
All in all, though, I think I'll stick with my 4850 for a while longer.
Detailed poop for the OCD at Tom's Hardware and AnandTech.
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So AMD has released the first of the Radeon 6000 cards, and they're, how shall I put this, underwhelming.
The previous high-end cards were the 5850 and 5870; we now have the 6850 and 6870, which are actually slower than their counterparts from last year. What AMD appear to have done is bump the numbers up a notch, so that the new midrange cards - what would have been the 6750 and 6770 - are now sold in the high-end number range, where they fail to impress.
The real high-end cards will now be the 6950 and 6970, due to launch next month. For now, we have a 6870 with about the same price and performance and power consumption of the old 5850.
I had a very different article drafted based on the leaked specs from last weak. Unfortunately it turned out that the leak was a lie, and the truth was much less interesting.
This isn't all AMD's fault, though: The new chips were originally designed to be built on TSMC's 32nm process. Since TSMC doesn't have a 32nm process, AMD was forced to change its plans, which ended up making the chips slower and hotter and more expensive. The real next-gen cards should land next year, assuming TSMC pull their finger out.
Pricing in Oz is varied to say the least, ranging from a quite reasonable A$288 for the 6870, including 10% sales tax (for a US$240 card, about A$245) to a frankly delusional A$500. Ignoring the crazy prices at the high end, the new cards are at least decent value for money.
All in all, though, I think I'll stick with my 4850 for a while longer.
Detailed poop for the OCD at Tom's Hardware and AnandTech.
Posted by: Pixy Misa at
05:09 PM
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Altera has first 28nm TSMC silicon, where is AMD and Nvidia? Also Nvidia CEO on why Fermi failed:
http://wp.me/psH60-1WS
Altera has first 28nm TSMC silicon, where is AMD and Nvidia? Also Nvidia CEO on why Fermi failed:
http://wp.me/psH60-1WS
Posted by: Daniel at Monday, October 25 2010 02:06 AM (8H1a5)
2
Altera and Xilinx always seem to jump on the newest process before anyone else. But their high-end stuff is pretty low volume compared to what Nvidia and AMD need to churn out.
Interesting point about Fermi. I'll be looking forward to seeing what they can achieve after a respin to better match the realities of 40nm.
Interesting point about Fermi. I'll be looking forward to seeing what they can achieve after a respin to better match the realities of 40nm.
Posted by: Pixy Misa at Monday, October 25 2010 02:33 AM (PiXy!)
3
My desktop has been incredibly unstable. Fits of locking up at random times. I'd put it down to a bad motherboard or flaky power supply.
Rather than upgrade everything, I decided to turf the 9800GTX. Picked up a 5770 for pocket change.
It now runs fine & quite a lot cooler. I blame the BVidia drivers.
The general state of PC components leave a lot to be desired.
Posted by: Andrew at Monday, October 25 2010 08:28 AM (cB03i)
4
The 5770 is great value for money. I've considered replacing my 4850 with a pair of 5770s in Crossfire, but haven't actually got around to it yet.
Waiting to see what the 6770 turns out to be - leaks say it's just a tweaked 5770, not a new chip, but leaks have been wrong before.
Waiting to see what the 6770 turns out to be - leaks say it's just a tweaked 5770, not a new chip, but leaks have been wrong before.
Posted by: Pixy Misa at Monday, October 25 2010 10:33 AM (PiXy!)
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