R260/270/280/290/290x Review thread

[ams23]

Glad to see AMD brought 7970 Ghz perform the $300 price point.

LOL, the HD 7970 OC edition already has 7970 GHz performance, is lower than $300, is available now, and has a game bundle included. As for GTX 770, in the games that favor NVIDIA's GPU architecture, the GTX 770 will be noticeably faster. And right now one can get an EVGA Superclocked GTX 770 for $399 w/ MIR and with Batman Arkham Origins included, which is at least a step up in every way compared to GTX 680.

 

[caswow]

"Frame Pacing" is AMD's trade name for dynamic frame-rate limiting.

This is not a "solution." It's at most a band-aid.

Nvidia doesn't do "Frame Pacing" as AMD defines the term.

They (AMD) plan on eliminating their end of the problem about non-synchronized frames by bypassing their buggy crossfire bridge and going purely across the PCI-express bus.

None of their older cards are designed to do this well.

so who cares how nv or amd resolve the mr problem? did you see the frame pacing drivers reviews? except the lack of dx9 and eyeinf. support everyone said its at least as good sometimes even smoother than nvidias solution. so who cares how its done the endresults are important.

 

[24601]

I need to stop my compulsion to explain things to stupid people.

Peace.

Actually, you need to stop this compulsion to insult people in the technical forums.
Just because someone doesn't (yet) understand something about hardware, doesn't mean
that they are stupid people.
-Admin DrPizza

 

[Granseth]

I need to stop my compulsion to explain things to stupid people.

Peace.

I actually favors explanations. Call me stupid, but give me a way out

 

[blackened23]

SKYMTL from hardwarecanucks basically flat out stated that there is no such thing as "hardware" frame pacing. Any and all solutions for frame pacing are software related, and I believe Brent at HardOCP hinted at this as well but i'm not sure if he fully agrees with SKYMTL.

Ultimately the software collects the data and shoves the pixels on the screen, thus reducing any jitters and stutters are done on a driver level. Marketing may say otherwise, but I tend to agree with this. Therefore AMD has to make their software work for eyefinity CF - PCI Express doesn't simply make microstutter disappear. Software still has to align the data received to display those pixels on the screen, period.

 

[Imouto]

I need to stop my compulsion to explain things to stupid people.

Peace.

No, you should stop making up stuff and then the obvious colossal effort to explain them.

 

[blackened23]

I need to stop my compulsion to explain things to stupid people.

Peace.

You're using this as a way out of explaining technical data that you clearly (as I see it) do not understand. You should chill on the insults and add to the discussion instead of calling someone "stupid". Those "in the know" (such as SKYMTL), so to speak, have already stated that all frame pacing must be done on a software level. This applies to both Kepler and all AMD solutions, although marketing will have you believe it can be done in hardware. The software ultimately puts those pixels on the screen and the software must smooth it. I tend to take their word over yours.

 

[Rvenger]

I need to stop my compulsion to explain things to stupid people.

Peace.

Well, I guess I am stupid then.

 

[Skurge]

SKYMTL from hardwarecanucks basically flat out stated that there is no such thing as "hardware" frame pacing. Any and all solutions for frame pacing are software related, and I believe Brent at HardOCP hinted at this as well but i'm not sure if he fully agrees with SKYMTL.

Ultimately the software collects the data and shoves the pixels on the screen, thus reducing any jitters and stutters are done on a driver level. Marketing may say otherwise, but I tend to agree with this. Therefore AMD has to make their software work for eyefinity CF - PCI Express doesn't simply make microstutter disappear. Software still has to align the data received to display those pixels on the screen, period.

So how come nobody has called nVidia out on this?

 

[Face2Face]

LOL, the HD 7970 OC edition already has 7970 GHz performance, is lower than $300, is available now, and has a game bundle included. As for GTX 770, in the games that favor NVIDIA's GPU architecture, the GTX 770 will be noticeably faster. And right now one can get an EVGA Superclocked GTX 770 for $399 w/ MIR and with Batman Arkham Origins included, which is at least a step up in every way compared to GTX 680.

Eww... I missed that - Buyers of the 200 series will want to pay attention to the fact that the 200 series is not currently part of Never Settle Forever.

That's blows... I guess getting a 7970 @ 1000Mhz w/ free games is a better deal. I still can't back up the GTX 770 until the price comes down some.. @ $400 it's not a good deal for the performance.

 

[ShintaiDK]

Seems like innovation has halted and the 770's really need a price cut. Nothing else to say.

GPUs dont really progress without a node shrink. And node shrinks are now ~3 years apart instead of ~2.

 

[blackened23]

So how come nobody has called nVidia out on this?

Because their software for frame pacing just works. AMD's doesn't except for single screen resolutions in DX10/11. Not for eyefinity CF, that is. AMD get's called out because their software isn't on NV's level yet. Consumers don't care how it works. They WANT IT to JUST WORK. With nvidia, that is the case. With eyefinity, not so much. In fact, AMD didn't bother fixing it until numerous websites pointed it out - and it still needs to be fixed for eyefinity. So one brand "just works" and another...well...

That said, I want AMD to fix this issue. I very much want AMD to be on nvidia's level in terms of software, and they're making baby steps towards that. I want the 290X to be the killer GPU that makes AMD shine. Still a lot of work to be done, though, IMHO.

 

[blackened23]

Eww... I missed that - Buyers of the 200 series will want to pay attention to the fact that the 200 series is not currently part of Never Settle Forever.

That's blows... I guess getting a 7970 @ 1000Mhz w/ free games is a better deal. I still can't back up the GTX 770 until the price comes down some.. @ $400 it's not a good deal for the performance.

I dunno, will the 280X series come with never settle? It would make sense for them to, I mean, they're not even in stores yet. I think they won't be available for purchase until the 10th IIRC. Is this confirmed with regards to Never Settle?

Regardless the 280X is basically the same performance wise as the 770$ while being 100$ cheaper. I think only the most hardcore NV fan or employee would try to trump up the gtx 770 in this case, the 770 needs a price drop, period. As far as someone stating "games that favor NVs architecture will run better on the 770" You could easily reverse this statement. Square Enix games generally always run better on comparable AMD hardware, so that really is a silly argument - games go back and forth depending on the developer. Anyway, the 280X is a far better value for the same performance, and the frame pacing is not an issue with single screen resolutions - in fact the 280X in single screen res has better frame times than the 770 according to PCPer's 280X review. Eyefinity CF is the only issue, for someone not doing that the 280X is a heck of a buy IMHO. I do hope it comes with Never Settle though - hopefully we can get more info on that.

While I think the 280X is a far better value than the 770 at the moment, AMD still needs to make a further push with their software. And fewer beta drivers. Their frame pacing driver isn't even WHQL yet, is it? That's pretty darn silly. AMD isn't on NV's level yet in terms of software and until they are, they can't quite command NV price premiums on their halo products (eg 290/290X).

 

[Erenhardt]

Eww... I missed that - Buyers of the 200 series will want to pay attention to the fact that the 200 series is not currently part of Never Settle Forever.

That's blows... I guess getting a 7970 @ 1000Mhz w/ free games is a better deal. I still can't back up the GTX 770 until the price comes down some.. @ $400 it's not a good deal for the performance.

Well... that looks like gold to me..
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-091-HS&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1842

 

[Skurge]

Because their software for frame pacing just works. AMD's doesn't except for single screen resolutions in DX10/11. Not for eyefinity CF, that is. AMD get's called out because their software isn't on NV's level yet. Consumers don't care how it works. They WANT IT to JUST WORK. With nvidia, that is the case. With eyefinity, not so much. In fact, AMD didn't bother fixing it until numerous websites pointed it out - and it still needs to be fixed for eyefinity. So one brand "just works" and another...well...

That said, I want AMD to fix this issue. I very much want AMD to be on nvidia's level in terms of software, and they're making baby steps towards that. I want the 290X to be the killer GPU that makes AMD shine. Still a lot of work to be done, though, IMHO.

No, I mean wh hasn't anyone called them out on claiming they have had Hardware Frame metering since GTX480?

 

[Face2Face]

I dunno, will the 280X series come with never settle? It would make sense for them to, I mean, they're not even in stores yet. I think they won't be available for purchase until the 10th IIRC. Is this confirmed with regards to Never Settle?

Per PCPER

But what about those incredibly successful Never Settle bundles? Well apparently they are taking a break as none of the new cards will be included in any game bundle offers at all. Considering the huge push that AMD has made with Never Settle packages and the emphasis the company put on the marketing efforts during the Hawaii tech day I find the lack free games slightly confusing...

Clearly NVIDIA needs to make some adjustments to remain competitive in the battle of performance per dollar with the GTX 660, GTX 760 and GTX 770. When they will do so, and how aggressive they get, is still up in the air.

Well... that looks like gold to me..
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-091-HS&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1842

If you hover over the gold emblem with your cursor it says 7900 series. So you should buy it and let us know

 

[ams23]

I dunno, will the 280X series come with never settle? It would make sense for them to, I mean, they're not even in stores yet. I think they won't be available for purchase until the 10th IIRC. Is this confirmed with regards to Never Settle?

Anandtech already confirmed that R9 280X/270X cards will not include any game bundle at this time. As for "value", nobody in their right mind would suggest that GTX 770 is a miraculous value in comparison, but it is a better deal than GTX 680 at least, and is a sensible choice for those who play games that perform exceptionally well on NVIDIA hardware.

 

[Face2Face]

As for "value", nobody in their right mind would suggest that GTX 770 is a miraculous value in comparison, but it is a better deal than GTX 680 at least, and is a sensible choice for those who play games that perform exceptionally well on NVIDIA hardware.

Very true on the GTX 680, although aren't they all pretty much discontinued? Not seeing many available on the Egg, and if they are they are priced pretty horribly.

 

[blackened23]

GTX 680 really? Yeah the GTX 770 is a better value than a GPU that is now discontinued and end of life.

I think the 770 is a great GPU but it really does need a slight price drop, IMHO. The argument about "NV favored games" doesn't really hold much water because there are games where that is applicable to AMD as well. Square Enix games, to be specific, generally run better on AMD hardware - and these are all high quality games as well. I would like the 770 to be lowered to 350$ at a minimum - then it could be a competitive part. At 400$? I don't see any real reason to buy it because while there are games that favor one architecture or another, that ultimately balances out because there are games like that for both brands.

edit: I also find it highly disappointing that the 280X doesn't include Never Settle. This just makes a stronger case for buying a 7970GE over the 280X.....really silly...

 

[Genx87]

770 needs a nice drop to remain competitive. The pricing on these GPU's is odd to me. Such huge gaps if the 770 goes to 349 or less.

 

[Face2Face]

I feel they should dump the 2GB model of GTX 770 and sell the 4GB for $339 - Hoping for too much??? I mean 2GB of vram on a 2nd tier card...

 

[smackababy]

The more I look at the 280x reviews the more I think the plain 290 (no X) is going to be the star, but only if they really did fix their CF issues. R9 290 CF will probably be the best price / performance based on how expensive the 290x is looking to be.

 

[Teizo]

Eww... I missed that - Buyers of the 200 series will want to pay attention to the fact that the 200 series is not currently part of Never Settle Forever.

The 200 series is a part of the Never Settle Forever program according to Linus on his latest video review, at least the 280X is anyway. I didn't watch the other ones.

 

[ShintaiDK]

I feel they should dump the 2GB model of GTX 770 and sell the 4GB for $339 - Hoping for too much??? I mean 2GB of vram on a 2nd tier card...

2GB 7Ghz GDDR5 is not cheap. I assume thats why they went 512bit and lower clocks with the 290/290X as well.

 

[ams23]

770 needs a nice drop to remain competitive. The pricing on these GPU's is odd to me. Such huge gaps if the 770 goes to 349 or less.

I could see this happening if GTX 770Ti ever materializes. The inclusion of a free copy of Batman Arkham Origins does add some value too.