Radeon HD 7790 finds out from partner manufacturers

After a long period of rumors, AMD is launching a new mid-range graphics circuit called Bonaire. However, AMD chooses not to release any pure reference design. Instead, partner manufacturers have free hands to develop coolers, circuit boards and overclocking graphics cards.

AMD nails the reference frequencies for the Radeon HD 7790 to 1,000 MHz GPU and 6,000 MHz GDDR5. All partner manufacturers choose to launch overclocked variants, in addition to graphics cards that follow the standard frequencies.

Common denominators are models that take up two expansion slots, have a 6-pin PCI Express connector for the power supply and screen connections for two DVIs, an HDMI 1.4a and a Displayport 1.2.

Asus Radeon HD 7790 DirectCU II

From Asus comes an overclocked Radeon HD 7790 with the radiator DirectCU II. It is an aluminum heat sink with two heat pipes that are cooled by two fans. The clock frequencies amount to 1,075 MHz GPU and 6,400 MHz GDDR5, while the price tag ends up at approximately SEK 1,500 including VAT.

MSI Radeon HD 7790

MSI launches a tailor-made model with a 100 mm fan, which cools a large flange with associated double heat pipes. The graphics card is equipped with components according to the Military Class III standard concept, which will provide improved service life and increased stability during overclocking. From the factory, the graphics processor is overclocked to 1,050 MHz, but MSI also promises a model with standard frequencies.

Sapphire Radeon HD 7790 and HD 7790 Dual-X

As AMD’s largest partner manufacturer, Sapphire is making a big splash with several models of Radeon HD 7790. First out is a graphics card with a relatively everyday cooler containing two eight-millimeter heat pipes and an aluminum heat sink, which is cooled by a single fan.

The Sapphire Radeon HD 7790 Dual-X has a more robust radiator with two heat conduction pipes and tightly packed cooling fins in aluminum, which are cooled by double 80 mm fans. The graphics card arrives with alarmed clock frequencies of 1,075 MHz and 6,400 MHz, which is on a par with other top models.

XFX Radeon HD 7790 Ghost

Nowadays, the AMD-exclusive XFX offers the Radeon HD 7790 Ghost graphics card. The graphics card is overclocked to the level of both Sapphire and Asus and is available in the reference frequencies. However, the company chooses not to invest in a radiator as large as the others, but is content with a cooling flange in aluminum without heat conduction pipes and an 80 millimeter fan.

Gigabyte Radeon HD 7790 Triangle Cooling

Gigabyte’s Radeon HD 7790 gets the suffix Triangle Cooling, which means cooling in three parts. The 100 millimeter fan cools an aluminum flange with copper on the graphics core. The clock frequency amounts to 1,075 MHz and 6,400 MHz overclocked and is also launched in the standard frequencies.

HIS Radeon HD 7790 iCooler

Like Asus, Sapphire and XFX, HIS is launching a Radeon HD 7790 with clock speeds of 1,075 MHz and 6,400 MHz and one with standard frequencies. The cooling consists of a single fan and a cooling flange with embedded copper against the graphics core.

PowerColor HD 7790 OC and TurboDuo HD 7790

PowerColor also chooses to go out with two models. The first is called HD 7790 OC with a mild overclocking (1,030 MHz) on the graphics core. The radiator consists of two large heat conduction pipes that go out in a cylindrical design with cooling fins in aluminum around the fan.

TurboDuo HD 7790 increases the clock frequency to 1,075 MHz but leaves the graphics memory untouched. The cooling solution consists of a cooling flange in aluminum with what the company calls an S-shaped heat pipe. In addition, the package is cooled by double fans.

Price and availability

The Radeon HD 7790 goes on sale on April 2. Prices end up at around SEK 1,300–1,600 including VAT, depending on model and design.