On January 7, at the CES 2020 consumer electronics show, AMD announced another NAVI generation video card called the Radeon RX 5600 XT. The first thing that catches your eye is the greatly reduced memory subsystem compared to the RX5700: 6Gb of video memory instead of 8Gb and a 192-bit data bus instead of 256 bits, as well as the use of slower GDDR6 memory. Which reduces the memory channel bandwidth. With the Radeon RX 5600 XT, AMD plans to bring higher performance to the market at 1080p resolution - at least that's the goal of the new product, and the Radeon RX 5600 XT should also fill the performance gap between the RX5700 and RX5500 XT.
As it turned out, AMD did not prepare a separate GPU for the Radeon RX 5600 XT that would match the performance of TU116 from NVIDIA, which serves the entire GeForce GTX 1660 series, therefore, in order to compete with the TU116, the basis of the Radeon RX 5600 XT is Navi 10, which is designed according to same 7 n. m. technical process like Navi 14. The Navi 10 chip in the Radeon RX 5600 XT not only retained most of the computing power of the full-featured version, but also completely reproduces the configuration of the Radeon RX 5700, including 36 Compute Units (2304 stream processors) and 64 operation units rasterization (ROP), but differs from the Radeon RX 5700 in lower clock speeds and reduced memory connections. In the initial version, the base GPU frequency is set at 1130 MHz, the Game Clock level is 1375 MHz, and the maximum acceleration (Boost Clock) is 1560 MHz. In this version, the peak theoretical performance when working with single-precision numbers is about 7.19 TFLOPs, instead of 7.95 TFLOPs for the reference Radeon RX 5700.
Along with the computing units of the Radeon RX 5600 XT, the memory bus was also cut down - only three of the four 64-bit memory channels remained active. And although 64 ROP blocks remained, the memory bus eventually became only 192-bit. However, support for fast GDDR6 memory made it possible to achieve decent throughput. If we talk about the power consumption of the entire Radeon RX 5600 XT board, then according to the specifications it is 150 W (or 160 W for some versions), and to deliver the necessary power, in addition to the PCI Express slot, one additional 8-pin and one 6-pin are also used power connectors, but this set may differ in different solutions from the company’s partners.
Specifications
| CPU |
| Navi 10 XLE (RDNA) |
| Technical process |
| 7 n.m. |
| GPU frequency |
| 1130 - 1375 - 1560 MHz |
| Stream processors (Shading Units) |
| 2304 |
| Texture units (TMUs) |
| 144 |
| Raster Operations Pipelines (ROPs) |
| 64 |
| Memory type |
| GDDR6 |
| Memory bus width |
| 192 Bit |
| Memory |
| 6 GB |
| Memory frequency |
| 1500MHz (12000MHz) |
| Memory Bandwidth |
| 288 GB/s |
| Power Consumption(TDP) |
| 150 W |
| Price |
| — |
Next, let's move directly to the participants of our testing; there will be four of them today: Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5600 XT; MSI RX 5600 XT Gaming Z; Gigabyte Radeon RX 5600 XT Gaming OC; ASUS ROG STRIX RX 5600 XT.
Thermal photographs
All thermal images were taken under maximum load for a general overview and understanding of the cooling system with a slight overclocking of the core and memory.
Having installed the thermal camera on top, we see that the GPU temperature does not exceed 60 degrees. This is a good indicator.
However, it is worth understanding that the card’s maximum consumption is only 160 Watts, which in fact is not that much by modern standards.
Please note that the coolers do their job perfectly, the residual heat is dissipated and is not stored inside the card.
Having installed the camera from the back of the video card, where the backplate is located, we see that the GPU temperature does not exceed 64 degrees . This is also a good result.
The GPU measurements are correct, since there is a cutout in the GPU area where the backplate is.
Introducing the AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT. Review of the ASUS ROG-STRIX-RX5600XT-O6G-GAMING video card
After the successful launch of the Radeon RX 5700 and Radeon RX 5500 XT graphics adapters, AMD had an empty niche that needed to be filled with new products. The Radeon RX 5600 XT video card took on this role, offering good performance at an affordable price. It managed to start with only specifications, but after the launch, many manufacturers released BIOS with increased frequencies. We will try to understand all these nuances in this review, assessing the potential of different versions of the Radeon RX 5600 XT using the example of the ASUS ROG Strix video card.
The new video card is based on the Navi 10 graphics processor based on RDNA architecture. This GPU previously powered the Radeon RX 5700 and RX 5700 XT. That is, instead of developing a new chip, AMD took the simple path of cutting down the older processor. The full version of Navi 10 has 40 active Compute Units and 2560 ALUs on the entire chip. The Radeon RX 5600 XT has four CUs and one memory controller with accompanying cache disabled. As a result, the budget version of Navi 10 has 2304 streaming ALUs, 144 texture units and 64 rasterization units. The memory bus has been trimmed from 256 to 192 bits, and the memory capacity has been reduced from 8 to 6 GB. This is an unusual combination for AMD solutions, but NVIDIA has been producing video cards on a 192-bit bus with a 6 GB video buffer for a long time.
GPU Navi 10
A small reduction in active blocks can be estimated as a reduction in the chip's potential by 11%. But this is combined with lower operating frequencies and more stringent power restrictions. Initially, the Radeon RX 5600 XT was stated to have a base core speed of 1130 MHz with a Boost Clock of 1560 MHz and a Game Clock of 1375 MHz. The reduction in memory bandwidth due to the reduced bus is compensated by the use of high-speed GDDR6 chips with an effective data exchange frequency of 12 GHz. And 6 GB of memory is enough for modern games in mass Full HD resolution (with rare exceptions).
Frequency characteristics require separate explanation. At the moment, all modern video cards use Boost technology, adjusting operating frequencies to specified power and temperature limits. Previously, AMD indicated only a certain average Boost value; in the models of the new series, a Game Clock value has appeared, which more accurately reflects the average frequency level under gaming load. And all this does not concern peak Boost values, which are not indicated in the specifications at all, but we usually mention them in reviews.
In the case of the Radeon RX 5600 XT, everything turned out to be more confusing due to the fact that the frequency formula was initially stated at 1130/1375/1560 MHz, but at the time of launch, many manufacturers presented updated BIOS with increased frequency values. However, such an upgrade is not a final revision of the characteristics of the Radeon RX 5600 XT. The initially announced frequencies are AMD's official specifications, but most likely they will only be relevant for the cheapest models of the new series. All top versions of the Radeon RX 5600 XT with factory overclocking have de facto received accelerated firmware. In this case, the final frequencies of different video cards may differ slightly. Depending on the firmware, memory frequencies may differ. Some models have GDDR6 memory accelerated to 14 GHz, but some versions retain frequencies at 12 GHz even with GPU acceleration. An important point is the increase in power in updated versions. If the Radeon RX 5600 XT initially stated a TDP of 150 W, then for variants with the new BIOS it is 160 W.
| Video adapter | Radeon RX 5700 | Radeon RX 5600XT | Radeon RX 5500XT |
| Core | Navi 10 | Navi 10 | Navi 14 |
| Number of transistors, million pieces | 10300 | 10300 | 6400 |
| Technical process, nm | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Core area, sq. mm | 251 | 251 | 158 |
| Number of stream processors | 2304 | 2304 | 1408 |
| Number of texture blocks | 144 | 144 | 88 |
| Number of rendering units | 64 | 64 | 32 |
| Base core frequency, MHz | 1465 | 1130 | 1607 |
| Game Clock, MHz | 1625 | 1375 | 1717 |
| Boost Clock, MHz | 1725 | 1560 | 1845 |
| Memory bus, bit | 256 | 192 | 128 |
| Memory type | GDDR6 | GDDR6 | GDDR6 |
| Memory frequency, MHz | 14000 | 12000 | 14000 |
| Memory capacity, GB | 8 | 6 | 8/4 |
| Supported DirectX Version | 12 (12_1) | 12 (12_1) | 12 (12_1) |
| Interface | PCI-E 4.0 (16x) | PCI-E 4.0 (16x) | PCI-E 4.0 (8x) |
| Power, W | 180 | 150 | 130 |
The Radeon RX 5600 XT could potentially catch up with the older version through overclocking, but AMD strictly limited the maximum frequencies, limiting the overclocking limits. Therefore, the standard overclocking is small, but you can still squeeze out more by unlocking the limits in the MorePowerTool utility.
In our review, we will test the video card at frequencies that are close to the initial specifications, with an updated BIOS that provides increased GPU and GDDR6 memory frequencies, and with additional overclocking.
ASUS ROG-STRIX-RX5600XT-O6G-GAMING
We got our hands on the ASUS ROG Strix Radeon RX 5600 XT video card. It comes in a large box with a bright design.
In addition to the standard instructions, the package also includes a set of Velcro ties for securing cables.
The design follows the recognizable ROG Strix style. Before us is a massive large card with a large cooler and three new type fans with rims on the edges. The graphics adapter does not resemble a budget video card, but looks like a full-fledged product of the highest price segment. The manufacturer clearly did not skimp on the ROG Strix Radeon RX 5600 XT, which is certainly pleasing.
The thickness of the video card reaches 2.7 slots. Total length 30.5 cm.
The reverse side is covered with a metal plate.
There is an open area in the opposite corner. It contains a button to manually turn off the backlight and a BIOS switch. ASUS has two firmwares. One offers a Performance mode with factory overclocking, the second offers a quieter Quiet fan control algorithm with a slight power limitation.
There are two power connectors in the corner: six and eight pins.
If you are a fan of lighting, then ASUS ROG Strix will please you. Backlighting is provided for the large logo on the plate, and there are also luminous inserts around the fans. It is possible to select different lighting effects and lighting modes through the appropriate Aura Sync utility.
Let's look at the cooling system. It looks very serious, because this is a full-fledged cooler from older video cards - six heat pipes, a large radiator with many plates and a flat base. The single design removes heat from the graphics chip and VRM elements.
Current Strix models use a smooth, polished base to remove heat from the chip, which ensures a perfect fit. And the heat pipes are laid in grooves carefully adjusted to them. Everything is done perfectly smooth and without gaps. And all cooler elements are nickel plated.
Three fans of a special design are installed on top of the radiator. The Axial-tech design with a small hub, wide blades and a rim around the edges provides more powerful airflow, improving airflow around the radiator.
The board is covered with a large massive heatsink plate, which removes heat from the memory chips and some power elements.
The plate on the reverse side is also involved in cooling thanks to large thermal pads under the graphics chip and memory. In the contact area, the plate has additional metal linings.
The ASUS video card uses a large printed circuit board of its own design from the RX 5700 series. It is produced using Auto-Extreme technology, which provides for automated desoldering of all elements in one pass to avoid unnecessary thermal effects. Also used are high-quality electronic components that meet the internal Super Alloy Power II standard.
The board has 14 power phases, which not even all Radeon RX 5700 models have.
On the right side of the board is the GPU power supply system with 11 phases.
The Navi 10 processor is made according to the 7-nm process technology. It has 10.3 billion transistors, occupying an area of 251 mm².
Initially, the ROG-STRIX-RX5600XT-O6G-GAMING was provided with core frequencies of 1560/1620 MHz (Game/Boost Clock), which is already higher than the standard level. The video card arrived in our laboratory with this firmware.
Then we flashed the new BIOS provided by the developer. He increased the frequencies to 1670/1750 MHz. At the same time, the memory frequency was increased to 14 GHz, although the official ASUS website still lists 12 GHz. It is possible that accelerated versions of ROG-STRIX-RX5600XT-O6G-GAMING will come to the mass market with 12 GHz memory.
Both firmwares were used for testing, because we need to evaluate the potential of the cheapest versions of the Radeon RX 5600 XT and accelerated versions with factory overclocking. In the first case, Quiet mode is enabled on the old BIOS. In it, the maximum Boost limit is set at 1650 MHz, and real frequencies in games varied in the range of 1570–1590 MHz. And judging by other reviews, this is close to the frequency characteristics of simple video cards of the new series. Noise and heat in this mode are minimal. On an open bench (indoor 23 °C), after starting applications, the fans gradually stabilized at speeds of less than 1000 rpm, and peak core temperatures did not exceed 58 °C.
With the updated BIOS, core frequencies immediately increased to 1700 MHz (peak value 1780 MHz), dropping lower only in the heaviest applications or at high resolutions. At the same time, the memory frequency increased (final value 14 GHz). The frequency dynamics of the new BIOS are reflected in the lower screenshots of monitoring parameters during a long load in Final Fantasy XV and The Division 2 at Full HD resolution. As resolution increases, frequencies decrease slightly.
The fan speed was 1300–1700 rpm. And when it changes smoothly, it is really quiet and unnoticeable against the general background of a working PC. Peak core temperatures did not exceed 59 °C. The heating inside the case may be higher, but a temperature change of several degrees is not at all critical. These are excellent temperature and noise indicators that will satisfy the most demanding user.
The video card was overclocked with a new BIOS, which initially had an increased power limit, and additional settings allow you to raise it by another 20%. All operations were performed through standard overclocking tools in the AMD Control Center menu. As mentioned above, the Radeon RX 5600 XT has overclocking limitations. The core can be accelerated by only 2%, which, combined with an increase in the power limit, can give a greater increase, but without the ability to reach the frequencies of older video cards. With an initial memory frequency of 14000 MHz, its overclocking is limited to 14880 MHz. Along the way, we slightly lowered the voltage relative to the automatic value set during overclocking - this feature is only available for the maximum Boost point without smooth adjustments to the frequency curve.
With these settings, the average Boost frequencies in games increased to 1740–1760 MHz. That is, the overall increase is strictly at the level of 2%. Memory overclocking gives a 6% increase in throughput. As for noise, we left the fans running in automatic mode, slightly increasing the maximum speed. Operating temperatures remained at the initial level with rotation speeds ranging from 1400 rpm to 1800 rpm at peak torques. That is, the video card remained quiet and cold.
To get more out of the Radeon RX 5600 XT, you can use the MorePowerTool utility. But in this review we will limit ourselves to standard overclocking.
Characteristics of tested video cards
Let's test the Radeon RX 5600 XT in three modes at different frequencies. Let's compare it with the old flagship AMD Radeon RX Vega 64 and the younger models of the current generation - Radeon RX 5500 XT and GeForce GTX 1650 Super.
| Video adapter | Radeon RX Vega 64 | ASUS ROG Strix RX 5600 XT | Radeon RX 5600XT | Radeon RX 5500XT 8GB | GeForce GTX 1660 Super |
| Core | Vega 10 | Navi 10 | Navi 10 | Navi 14 | TU116 |
| Number of transistors, million pieces | 12500 | 10300 | 10300 | 6400 | 6600 |
| Technical process, nm | 14 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 12 |
| Core area, sq. mm | 486 | 251 | 251 | 158 | 284 |
| Number of stream processors | 4096 | 2304 | 2304 | 1408 | 1408 |
| Number of texture blocks | 256 | 144 | 144 | 88 | 88 |
| Number of rendering units | 64 | 36 | 36 | 32 | 48 |
| Core frequency (Base-Boost), MHz | 1274–1546 | Before 1750 | 1130–1560 | 1607–1845 | 1530–1785 |
| Memory bus, bit | 2048 | 192 | 192 | 128 | 192 |
| Memory type | HBM2 | GDDR6 | GDDR6 | GDDR6 | GDDR6 |
| Memory frequency, MHz | 1890 | 14000 | 12000 | 14000 | 14000 |
| Memory capacity, GB | 8 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 6 |
| Supported DirectX Version | 12 | 12 (12_1) | 12 (12_1) | 12 (12_1) | 12 (12_1) |
| Interface | PCI-E 3.0 | PCI-E 4.0 | PCI-E 4.0 | PCI-E 4.0 (8x) | PCI-E 3.0 |
| Power, W | 295 | 160 | 150 | 130 | 125 |
The table shows official data on Boost frequencies. The following graphs show the full range of GPU frequencies, where in addition to the base value, the peak Boost is shown, which is higher than the declared Boost Clock. In the case of ASUS Radeon RX 5600 XT, there is uncertainty about the base value, since it is not specified anywhere. Therefore, for ASUS, Game Clock frequencies are indicated as the starting point.
Test bench
The test bench configuration was as follows:
- processor: Intel Core i7-6950X (3, [email protected] ,2 GHz);
- cooler: Noctua NH-D15 (two NF-A15 PWM fans, 140 mm, 1300 rpm);
- motherboard: MSI X99S MPower;
- memory: G.Skill F4-3200C14Q-32GTZ (4x8 GB, DDR4-3200, CL14-14-14-35);
- system drive: Kingston SSDNow KC400 (512 GB, SATA 6Gb/s);
- additional drive: WD Red 3TB WD30EFRX (3 TB, SATA 6Gb/s, 5400 rpm);
- power supply: Raidmax Cobra RX-800AE;
- monitor: ASUS PB278Q (2560x1440, 27″);
- operating system: Windows 10 Pro x64;
- Radeon RX 5500 XT driver: AMD Adrenalin Edition 20.1.1;
- Radeon driver: AMD Adrenalin Edition 20.2.1/20.1.1;
- GeForce driver: NVIDIA GeForce 442.01/441.66.
Testing was carried out using this method in a resolution of 1920×1080. The graphs show the minimum and average fps.
Test results
A Plague Tale: Innocence
The Radeon RX 5600 XT performs well in the heavy game A Plague Tale. ASUS with the new BIOS is 11% faster than the regular version, overtaking the old flagship Radeon RX Vega 64.
Assassin's Creed Odyssey
At standard frequencies, the Radeon RX 5600 XT performs at the level of an overclocked GeForce GTX 1660 Super, being minimally inferior to the Radeon RX Vega 64. The new BIOS provides a 10% acceleration, additional overclocking gives a less noticeable increase.
Battlefield V
At low frequencies, the Radeon RX 5600 XT is faster than the accelerated GeForce GTX 1660 Super. The lag behind the Radeon RX Vega 64 is up to 19%, which is not fully compensated by overclocking. The new BIOS provides ASUS with the usual acceleration of up to 10%, additional overclocking speeds up by another 3%.
Borderlands 3
Tests in Borderlands 3 were carried out in two modes, since different video cards show better results in different APIs. AMD Radeon has the best performance under DirectX 12 (although occasional lag is possible). Even at initial frequencies, the Radeon RX 5600 XT leaves no chance for its rival NVIDIA, and when overclocked it overtakes the old flagship Radeon RX Vega 64. A detailed analysis of performance in different modes is presented in a separate review.
Control
The regular Radeon RX 5600 XT is weaker than the overclocked GeForce GTX 1660 Super in the game Control. But with increasing frequencies, the hero of the review gradually comes out on top, slightly ahead of its older comrade AMD.
Detroit: Become Human
The game's performance is capped at 60 frames, which results in little variation between players. At the same time, we can still state a minimal advantage of the GeForce GTX 1660 Super over the Radeon RX 5600 XT, but this will only be noticeable in heavy graphic scenes.
Far Cry 5
With active HD textures in Far Cry 5, the Radeon RX 5600 XT at low frequencies performs at the same level as the accelerated GeForce GTX 1660 Super. At maximum frequencies, ASUS is approaching the performance of the Radeon RX Vega 64, but is still behind.
Final Fantasy XV: Windows Edition
In Final Fantasy XV, the new AMD video adapter is faster than the GeForce GTX 1660 Super at nominal value. With the new BIOS, it is faster than the GeForce GTX 1660 Super in overclocking. The results of Radeon RX Vega 64 are lower than those of ASUS at factory frequencies.
Gears 5
The Radeon RX 5600 XT confidently outperforms the GeForce GTX 1660 Super, and overclocking compensates for the lag behind its older AMD comrade. The new BIOS provides acceleration of more than 10%, additional overclocking up to 3%. Detailed performance testing in a separate review.
Rage2
Radeon RX 5600 XT is faster than GeForce GTX 1660 Super, but without a serious advantage. The boosted rival is faster than AMD's low-clocked newcomer, but the new BIOS takes the Radeon to a higher position. After overclocking, ASUS reduces the lag behind the Radeon RX Vega 64 to several percent.
Red Dead Redemption 2
Again, the Radeon RX 5600 XT outperforms the GeForce GTX 1660 Super, and the main advantage here is the minimum fps. Overclocking minimizes the lag behind the Radeon RX Vega 64.
Resident Evil 2
In Resident Evil 2 everything is standard. Radeon RX 5600 XT at minimum frequencies is comparable to the forced GeForce GTX 1660 Super. Overclocking reduces the gap with its older comrade AMD, but the position of the Radeon RX Vega 64 is very strong here.
Shadow of the Tomb Raider
The simple version of the Radeon RX 5600 XT is faster than the GeForce GTX 1660 Super at nominal value, but is also weaker than the accelerated version. ASUS with the new BIOS is faster than its souped-up competitor and differs minimally from the old AMD flagship.
Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order
The same minimum fps in Fallen Order indicates that we are running into CPU or other performance limitations. And still, the advantage of the Radeon RX 5600 XT relative to its competitor NVIDIA is noticeable.
The Outer Worlds
In The Outer Worlds, the reviewer begins to lose ground a little, letting the GeForce GTX 1660 Super get ahead. It is worth noting a small difference between the newcomer and the Radeon RX Vega 64.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The simplest version of the Radeon RX 5600 XT is better than the overclocked GeForce GTX 1660 Super. ASUS with the new BIOS is another 10% faster, the benefit from additional overclocking is minimal.
Tom Clancy's The Division 2
In The Division 2, the Radeon RX 5600 XT looks more powerful than the GeForce GTX 1660 Super, and overclocking as usual allows you to get closer to the performance level of the Radeon RX Vega 64.
Total War: Three Kingdoms
The Radeon RX 5600 XT video adapter with recommended frequencies is equal to the overclocked GeForce GTX 1660 Super, the new BIOS adds 11-13% performance, allowing you to reach the level of the old AMD flagship.
World of Tanks enCore RT
In normal mode, the Radeon RX 5600 XT looks more powerful than its NVIDIA rival, but after enabling ray tracing, the GeForce GTX 1660 Super comes out on top.
3DMark Time Spy
At initial frequencies, the Radeon RX 5600 XT is 13% faster than the GeForce GTX 1660 Super, showing the result that the opponent achieves in overclocking. The lag behind the Radeon RX Vega 64 is only 7%, which is easily compensated by an increase in frequencies. The new BIOS provides ASUS with a speedup of more than 10%, another 3% can be squeezed out with additional overclocking.
Energy consumption
ASUS Radeon RX 5600 XT with the old BIOS in Quiet mode shows the highest efficiency. And this despite the fact that the GeForce GTX 1660 Super has a lower TDP! The new BIOS and increased frequencies also increase power consumption, but they are still comparable to the results of the weaker GeForce GTX 1660 Super accelerator.
conclusions
The Radeon RX 5600 XT is a stripped-down version of the Radeon RX 5700 with less memory on a 192-bit bus and lower core frequencies. And even at the initial recommended frequencies, such a video card is faster than the GeForce GTX 1660 Super, which is quite consistent with the price positioning of these products. If we talk about accelerated versions of the Radeon RX 5600 XT, they can be 10% faster. The main surprise of the Radeon RX 5600 XT is its low power consumption, which reduces cooling requirements and allows for quieter versions of video cards. Of course, everything will still depend on each specific model, but in terms of the combination of consumer characteristics, this is a very successful video card in its price niche. It is also pleasant to note a slight lag compared to the former flagship Radeon RX Vega 64 against the backdrop of a colossal difference in power consumption. In fact, this is a modern analogue of the Radeon RX Vega 56, but much more economical and cooler.
The ASUS ROG Strix Radeon RX 5600 XT video card is an excellent representative of the new series. This is a product that is close in all respects to older models - from powerful cooling to high-quality PCB. The video card exhibits excellent temperature-noise characteristics, maintaining low operating temperatures and low noise. Plus backlighting, dual BIOS and other attributes of top ASUS ROG models. This is one of the graphics cards whose frequencies were revised immediately after release, and you may have to flash the BIOS yourself if you want a faster version. The new firmware provides 10% acceleration. Further overclocking gives an increase of 2–3%, subject to software limitations, because the real potential is even higher. ASUS ROG-STRIX-RX5600XT-O6G-GAMING is an excellent option to buy if you are looking for a high-quality, quiet version of the Radeon RX 5600 XT with high factory frequencies.
Test bench configuration
| CPU | Intel Core i7-8700K (6/12; 3.7/4.7 GHz) | Intel, www.intel.com |
| Motherboard | ASUS ROG MAXIMUS X Hero (Intel Z370) | ASUS, www.asus.ua |
| Video card | Palit GeForce RTX 2060 GamingPro OC | Palit, www.palit.com |
| RAM | HyperX Predator RGB DDR4-3600 16 GB (HX436C17PB3AK2/16) | HyperX, www.hyperxgaming.com |
| Storage device | Kingston KC2000 1 TB (SKC2000M8/1000G) Kingston A1000 480 GB (SA1000M8/480G) | HyperX, www.hyperxgaming.com |
| power unit | Thermaltake Toughpower Grand TPG-1200M | Thermaltake, www.thermaltakeusa.com |
| Monitor | Acer Predator XB271HK (27″, 3840×2160) | Acer, www.acer.ua |
In progress
The video card supports a hybrid mode of operation of the cooling system, stopping the fans at minimum load.
Under such conditions, the graphics processor on an open stand warmed up to 44 degrees at 23C in the room.
Under gaming load, the GPU warmed up to 64 degrees, with the hottest point reaching 74C. The elements in the power stabilizer area heated up to only 56C, and the memory chips - up to 72C. During games, the GPU clock speed increased to 1615 MHz.
Gigabyte already at the start of sales prepared a version of BIOS F2 with a forced mode. The official specifications of the video card have not yet been changed on the manufacturer’s website. Therefore, it is possible that the model will be offered with an already designated chip/memory frequency combination, and those who wish will be able to update the firmware themselves.
After updating the BIOS, the Game Boost frequency increased to 1670 MHz, and the peak Boost Clock increased to 1750 MHz. Moreover, the effective memory frequency has increased from 12,000 (1500) to 14,000 (1750) MHz. In the description of the BIOS version, the manufacturer focuses on the accompanying increase in the power consumption of the video card. The TGP (Total Graphics Power) parameter has been increased from 150 W to 180 W.
When using this firmware version, video card performance increases on average by 7–10%, but in some projects it was not possible to achieve complete stability. Obviously, the BIOS will still be improved. The capabilities of the video card platform are sufficient to operate at higher frequencies. Here it is important for the manufacturer to choose the most successful balance of frequencies/voltages/temperatures/energy consumption.
