HIS AMD Radeon HD 6870 1GB � Our First Review - JAGATREVIEW.COM
(sumber dan artikel lengkap bisa di baca di : http://www.jagatreview.com/2010/10/his-amd-radeon-hd-6870-1gb-%E2%80%93-our-first-review/)The Radeon HD 5000 series gave ATI a 6-month lead over the competition, during which they only saw little challenge from everyone else. When NVIDIA released its own DirectX 11 capable GPUs, things get a bit tougher. Now, ATI a.k.a AMD has returned with a brand new product and strategy. The Radeon HD 6800 series that we received represents the first wave of second-generation DirectX 11 graphics cards from AMD.
AMD Radeon HD 6000 Series
AMD used a slightly different approach for the launch of their second-generation DirectX 11 graphics chips. Unlike the high-end Radeon HD 5870 and HD 5850 that shocked the world when they arrived around a year ago, the Radeon HD 6870 and HD 6850 �AMD�s first second-gen Dx11 chips- are both targeted at the mainstream market. There could be a little confusion here, but the products intended to replace the previous HD 5800 flagships should be the HD 6900 series, due to be released somewhere in Q4 2010. Nevertheless, judging from the technical specs, this mainstream duo should still pack quite a punch. Let�s see what they got inside.Specification
| AMD Radeon HD 6870 | AMD Radeon HD 6850 | AMD Radeon HD 5870 | AMD Radeon HD 5850 | |
| Codename | Barts XT | Barts Pro | Cypress XT | Cypress Pro |
| Fabrication Process | 40 nm | 40 nm | 40 nm | 40 nm |
| Transistors | 1.7 Billion | 1.7 Billion | 2.15 Billion | 2.15 Billion |
| Die Size | 225 mm2 | 225 mm2 | 334 mm2 | 334 mm2 |
| Core Clock | 900 MHz | 775 MHz | 850 MHz | 725 MHz |
| Stream Processors | 1120 | 960 | 1600 | 1440 |
| Texture Units | 56 | 48 | 80 | 72 |
| ROPs | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Size | 1024 MB | 1024 MB | 1024 MB | 1024 MB |
| Memory Clock (effective) | 4200 MHz | 4000 MHz | 4800 MHz | 4000 MHz |
| Memory Interface | 256-bit | 256-bit | 256-bit | 256-bit |
| DirectX Version | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 |
| Shader Model | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Power Connectors | 2x 6-pin | 6-pin | 8-pin + 6-pin | 2x 6-pin |
| Min Recommended Power Supply | 500 Watt | 500 Watt | 500 Watt | 500 Watt |
| Bus Support | PCIe 2.1 x16 | PCIe 2.1 x16 | PCIe 2.1 x16 | PCIe 2.1 x16 |
The GPUs on both AMD Radeon HD 6870 and HD 6850 are codenamed �Barts� (we�re not sure if it has anything to do with that popular cartoon character). Contrary to previous rumors suggesting that AMD would be stepping ahead to 32nm fabrication, the Radeon HD 6800 series is still manufactured using the now-matured 40nm process. It appears that such move was motivated by a necessity to avoid production failures that may be caused by a newer fabrication technique. As for the next generation of chips, it seems like they will go straight to 28nm fabrication, skipping 32nm altogether.
Features
- AMD HD3D � This is one of the new features, first introduced in the AMD HD 6000 series of graphics chips. It allows the corresponding graphics card to display games and movies in 3D. The new Catalyst 10.10 driver enables Blu-ray 3D support exclusively on the Radeon HD 6000 series.
- UVD 3 � The UVD (Unified Video Decoder), is a feature that moves out video decoding processes from the processor to the graphics card, thus removing some significant weight off the CPU, leaving it with enough processing power to carry out other operations. In UVD 2, the decoder supports VC-1, H.264, dan MPEG-2 (IDCT Profile) formats, while in UVD 3, some additional formats, including Multi-View Codec (Blu-ray 3D), MPEG-2, MPEG-4 part 2 (XviD/DivX), are also supported.
- HDMI 1.4a � The HDMI port on AMD Radeon HD 6800 series has been improved to version 1.4a, allowing the graphics card to display various 3D contents, such as Blu-ray 3D.
- AMD Accelerated Parallel Processing (APP) Technology � This particular feature isn�t exactly new. It�s previously known as ATI Stream and enables the graphics card to execute non-gaming tasks, such as video encoding and the likes.
- Display Port 1.2 � This latest version of the Display Port offers wider bandwidth and the capability to channel the display to 3 different monitors simultaneously. Therefore, you can use up to six monitors by utilizing the two display port available on Radeon HD 6000 series graphics cards.
AMD Radeon HD 6000 Series � The Graphics Card
Our first sample of the Radeon HD 6000 series came from HIS. Here�s how it looks like.Sales Package and Contents
This is the outer side packaging of HIS AMD Radeon HD 6870 1GB. As usual, a rather large picture of the �Excalibur� sword can be found on the front side.
The AMD HD3D �one of the new features implemented on the Radeon HD 6000 series graphics card- logo sticker is attached on the upper right corner of the package box.
These are the package contents we found inside. There wasn�t anything too extraordinary, but all the essentials, such as the driver disc, manual book, and power/ display converters are included. There is also a Crossfire bridge in the box.
Graphics Card
In the above picture, you can see the graphics card itself, HIS AMD Radeon HD 6870 1GB.
HIS is still using a reference cooler for this product. We recorded a maximum temperature of 83 degree Celsius during full load and 46 degree Celsius when idle. This rather worrying temperature is caused by the fan�s low RPM rate when set on �Auto� mode. It was only working at 35% of its maximum capacity as the graphics chips gets under full load, just enough to keep the temperature from going beyond 83 degree. When everything settles down and the graphics card was reverted to idle state, the fan drops back to 24% working capacity. By increasing the fan�s spin rate to 50%, we managed to press the temperature down at the cost of louder noise. Increasing that number further to 100% will cause the fan to generate intolerable noise, in our opinion.
The PCI Express x16 2.1 connector on the lower side of the graphics card.
The AMD Radeon HD 6870 provides a relatively complete array of display connectors, including two DVI ports, one HDMI 1.4a, and two Display Port 1.2 connectors.
You will need at least a 500 Watt PSU. Power is supplied to the AMD Radeon HD 6870 through a pair of 6-pin PCI-Express connectors.
This is the Crossfire connector on top of the card. Since there�s only one connector available, it looks like you won�t be able to link more than two Radeon HD 6870 series graphics cards in Crossfire mode. Right next to the connector, there�s an additional exhaust opening to vent out hot air from the center area of the cooler.
Radeon HD 6870�s PCB layout, as seen from the back. It appears that AMD uses black PCBs for this series instead of the usual red.
Test Results
LEFT4DEAD
Setting : No-AA; AF-Trilinear; Maximum Quality
Batman Arkham Asylum
Setting : No-AA; Maximum Quality
Synthetic Benchmarks
3DMark Vantage
Setting : P-Rating (Default); PPU Off
Unigine Heaven 2.1
Setting : DirectX 11, AF x16, No-AA
Power Consumption
Conclusions
AMD Radeon HD 6000 Series
AMD relies on brand new products and strategy to compete in today�s DirectX 11-dominated market. Slightly different from the introduction of the HD 5000 series a while back �when the first line of the series to be released was a high-end product- this time they get the HD 6000 series started off with a mainstream card. This kind of strategy isn�t exactly new, as it was also used for the HD 4000 series. The HD 6800 series is positioned at the same spot currently occupied by the GeForce GTX 460 series of GPU from NVIDIA, which also happens to be one of the most important categories of the market for both brands since this particular segment usually contains well-balanced cards in terms of price-performance ratio, sought after by numerous consumers.As the latest offerings from AMD, the Radeon HD 6000 series are equipped with a number of new features, including the AMD HD3D, UVD 3, and HDMI 1.4a. You can use some of these features immediately, but some others would each require a specific third-party application and/ or device before they can be deployed. Take, for example, the AMD HD3D that supports the Blu-ray 3D content. Before you can enjoy 3D effects on your screen, you will need a Blue-ray 3D player software, and a 3D monitor complimented with a 3D glasses.
(HIS) AMD Radeon HD 6870
The AMD Radeon HD 6870, codenamed �Barts XT�, is one of the two new graphics chips belonging to the HD 6800 series. It currently retails at around US$ 239 and goes nearly head-to-head with NVIDIA�s GeForce GTX 460 1GB, which now sells for around US$ 199 (after previously being offered for around US$ 229).According to our test results, the AMD Radeon HD 6870 offers good performance for its price. In all our DirectX 11 benchmark softwares �with one exception for Metro 2033- the frame rate stayed well above 30 FPS. From the performance stand point, it�s toe-to-toe with the GeForce GTX 460 1 GB. In Dirt 2, the GeForce GTX 460 1 GB gets ahead by a meager 2 FPS difference, while in Alien VS Predator, Lost Planet 2, and Metro 2033, the AMD Radeon HD 6870 takes over the lead. As for DirectX 9 and DirectX 10-based games, the AMD Radeon HD 6870 has more than enough muscle to run them without any noticeable slowdown.
Unfortunately, Radeon HD 6870�s stock cooler generates a lot of noise when operating in high speed mode. Changing the fan setting to �Auto� reduces the sound significantly, but consequently, the temperature could rise to well over 80 degree Celsius under full load conditions. Let�s just hope that there would be some third-party coolers that are both quieter and better at suppressing the heat from this product.
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