AMD Radeon R7 M260 video card review :Test | Specs | CPU | Config

The graphics card for notebooks from AMD, codenamed Radeon R7 M260, belongs to the next generation graphics accelerators, despite the fact that the graphics card is based on the GCN architecture. The Radeon R7 M260, like all AMD 200 series mobile video cards, is manufactured according to the 28nm process technology. Apparently, the new video adapter should replace the previous generation video card Radeon HD 8650M on the market.

The novelty works with 384 shaders, 24 TMUs and 8 ROPs at frequencies up to 715 MHz (128-bit version) or 980 MHz (64-bit version), the video card is equipped with 2 GB of DDR3 memory. The graphics are in the category of graphics solutions below the average level and are equipped with support for DirectX 11.2. The performance of the 128-bit Radeon R7 M260 is only slightly higher than that of the GeForce 825M, while the 64-bit version is comparable to the performance of the GeForce 820M.

Like all video cards of the R7 series, the Radeon R7 M260 supports the function of automatic switching between integrated and discrete graphics (Enduro), technology for supporting multiple monitors at once (Eyefinity), reducing power consumption when the displays are off (ZeroCore), deactivating unused parts of the chip (Power Gating), as well as automatic acceleration and deceleration of the frequency of the video card (PowerTune). In addition, the graphics work with the following video formats: MPEG-4 AVC / H.264, VC-1, MPEG-2, Flash, Multi-View Codec (MVC) and MPEG-4 part 2 (DivX, xVid).

Supported technologies

ATI PowerPlay Is a dynamic power management technology used in some graphics processing units (GPUs) manufactured by AMD (formerly ATI). The principle of operation is based on tracking the GPU load, determining the optimal parameters and correspondingly changing the clock frequency of the chip, memory and supply voltage, thereby optimizing the power consumption and heat dissipation of the video card. The technology in idle modes can disable unused GPU blocks.

ATI Eyefinity — a technology developed by the American company AMD that allows multiple displays to be connected together to a personal computer. ATI Eyefinity assumes connection from one to six displays inclusive to one graphics card. Desktop duplication and stretching modes are supported across multiple monitors, and a special new feature allows displays to be grouped into one large screen that can display a PC desktop or, for example, video, as well as windowed or full-screen 3D applications.

AMD HD3D — The technology is supported by an extended and open ecosystem that, when combined with specific AMD hardware and software technologies, enables the 3D viewing of many applications and processes on the PC.

AMD Enduro — Automatically disables AMD Radeon discrete graphics for lightweight applications and extends battery life.

AMD Zero Core — In a deep idle state, the new GPU consumes less than 5% of the power of full-fledged mode, disabling most of the functional blocks in this mode.

Specifications

Synthetic tests

• 3DMark (2013) – Fire Strike Standard Graphics: 1013
• 3DMark 11 – Performance GPU: 1870

Game testing

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. At medium settings (1366×768, Medium, 4xAA), the average number of FPS in the game was 27. At high graphics settings (1366×768, High 8xAA, 8xAF) – 18 PS. When the display resolution was increased to 1920 x 1080 pixels, and the graphics settings were increased to the level (Ultra, 8xAA, 16xAF}, the average FPS level dropped to 15.

Metro: Last Light. At low settings (1024 x 768, Low, DX10, 4AF) the average number of FPS in the game was 24. At medium graphics settings (1366 x 768, Medium, DX11, 16AF) – 16 FPS. When the graphics settings were increased to the level (High, DX11, 16xAF}, the average FPS level dropped to 13. At the maximum graphics settings and a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels, the average number of frames per second was 9.

Crysis 3. At low settings (1024 x 768, Low) the average number of FPS in the game was 22. At medium graphics settings (1366 x 768, Medium, 16AF) – 14 FPS. When the graphics settings were increased to the level (High, 16xAF}, the average FPS level dropped to 10.

BioShock Infinite. At medium settings (1366×768, Medium, AF, AA) the average number of FPS in the game was 36. At high graphics settings (1366×768, High, AA, AF) – 27 FPS. When the graphics settings were increased to the (Ultra, DOF) level, and the resolution was up to 1920 x 1080 pixels, the average FPS level dropped to 10.

Tomb Raider. The resolution is 1366×768 pixels, the graphics settings in the game (Normal, FXAA 4xAF), the average FPS was 40. When the resolution was increased to 1366×768 pixels, the graphics settings in the game (High, FXAA 8xAF), the number of FPS averaged 23. When the graphics settings were increased to level (Ultra, FXAA 16xAF), and resolutions up to 1920 × 1080 pixels, the average FPS level dropped to 11.