Rumors about the appearance of the Radeon R9 380X appeared last year when AMD released the accelerator called the Radeon R9 285. Let me remind you, this adapter is based on the GPU Tonga. Later, he underwent a rebranding, which appeared the video card Radeon R9 380. Up until this point between her and the Radeon R9 390 in the line remained large space, which is intended to fill a Radeon R9 380X. Simultaneously with the release of the latest “red” has reduced the cost of virtually all their relevant decisions. However, so far only in the United States.
XFX Radeon R9 380X Black OC Double Dissipation (R9-380X-45)
Technical characteristics and design features
Upset those who were expecting something groundbreaking from the Radeon R9 380X. Namely, a product similar in performance with the Radeon R9 390, but with a price tag from the Radeon R9 380. Already the characteristics clearly, what level of performance has a new.
XFX Radeon R9 380X Black OC Double Dissipation (R9-380X-45)
AMD Radeon R9 380X
AMD Radeon R9 280X
AMD Radeon HD 7970
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960
Processor name
Antigua XT
Antigua XT
Tahiti XTL
Tahiti XT
GM206
The process
28 nm
28 nm
28 nm
28 nm
28 nm
CPU frequency
1030 MHz
970 MHz
1000 MHz
925 MHz
1126 (1178) MHz
The number of stream processors
2048
2048
2048
2048
1024
The number of texture units
128
128
128
128
64
The number of ROP units
32
32
32
32
32
Memory
GDDR5, 4 GB
GDDR5, 4 GB
GDDR5, 3 GB
GDDR5, 3 GB
GDDR5, 2/4 GB
Bus
256 bit
256 bit
384 bit
384 bit
128 bit
Memory frequency
1450 (5800) MHz
1425 (5700) MHz
1500 (6000) MHz
1375 (5500) MHz
1753 (7010) MHz
Maximum power consumption graphics card
190 W
190 W
250 W
250 W
120 W
Video outputs
2x DVI, 1x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort
2x DVI, 1x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort
2x DVI, 1x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort
1x DVI, 1x HDMI, 2x Mini – DisplayPort
1x DVI, 1x HDMI, 3x DisplayPort
The recommended price at the time of release
$239
$230
$299
$350
$200 (for the version with 2GB of memory)
The actual cost
19 500 rubles.
18 500 rubles.
16 500 RUB.
N/A
15 000 rubles — overclocked version with 2 GB of memory
17 500 — overclocked version with 4 GB memory
Not going to say that Radeon R9 380X appeared by rebranding. In this case it is not. Yes, the characteristics of Antigua XT and Tahiti XT/XTL are very similar, but have these cards and marked differences. The most glaring setting is the presence of 4 GB of memory with 256-bit bus. Yes, there are games that are even in Full HD resolution with maximum graphics quality settings is able to “eat” more than 3 GB. So having 4 GB is the bare minimum for a modern gaming graphics card. Memory bandwidth, of course, was less. The Radeon R9 380X it is 185,6 GB/s, Radeon R9 280X — 307,2 GB/s.
AMD Radeon HD 7970
AMD Radeon R9 280X
AMD Radeon R9 380X
Looks like Antigua XT is the last AMD chip made on 28-nanometer process technology. The size of the crystal is exactly the same as in Tonga (Radeon R9 285). And it’s bigger than Tahiti: 374,7 mm2 versus 365 mm2. This increase in the silicon surface is quite understandable: hardware blocks XDMA, TrueAudio, and CrossFire is also a waste of space. As a result, the number of transistors 4,31 billion increased to 5 billion. But the power consumption decreased markedly, from 250 W to 190 W. To remove 60 watts under the same process technology is a major achievement. In the review of the Radeon R9 NANO I have noticed that AMD are going in the shortest possible time to catch up with the NVIDIA solution on the parameter of efficiency. However, the main competitor to Radeon R9 380X — GeForce GTX 960 — consumes only 120 watts. The increase in energy efficiency contributed to lower frequencies of chip and memory, used to detail the manufacturing process, as well as the reduction of FP64 performance. If Radeon R9 280X and Radeon HD 7970 block work on about 1/4 of FP32 performance, the Radeon R9 380X is only 1/16.
Graphics processor AMD Radeon HD 7970
Graphics processor AMD Radeon R9 280X
Graphics processor AMD Radeon R9 380X
Reference will not. To our test lab arrived modification from XFX. The model, which is a part of range Double Dissipation, boasts effective air cooling and factory overclocking as the chip and memory.
XFX Radeon R9 380X Black OC Double Dissipation (R9-380X-45)
The video card turned out to be small. A protruding casing of the cooling system only slightly lengthens it. The flip side has nothing remarkable.
XFX Radeon R9 380X, back.
Cooler XFX Radeon R9 380X takes up exactly two slots. Please note that the device does not have a connector to connect the flexible bridge. Version of the GCN 1.2 architecture, means using CrossFire without any additional devices.
XFX Radeon R9 380X, top view
The power connectors are located behind. For normal operation a video card you need to connect two 6-pin connectors.
XFX Radeon R9 380X, rear view
A set of standard video outputs: two DVI and one HDMI and DisplayPort. Unfortunately, the Radeon R9 380X not support HDMI 2.0.
The outputs XFX Radeon R9 380X
Cooling system presents a classic cooler, which is based on a heatsink with four copper teletrapami. With the chip it is in contact with a copper sole.
The cooling system of the XFX Radeon R9 380X
Printed circuit Board the XFX Radeon R9 380X is quite compact. The batteries are wired closer to the outputs. Tying CPU has five phases. The MOSFETs further cooled by a small aluminum radiator. Pro features GPU Antigua XT I already did. The memory array consists of eight chips manufactured by ELPIDA.
PCB XFX Radeon R9 380X
Getting ahead of myself, I will say that some custom version of the Radeon R9 380X are able to work in passive mode in 2D. The model from XFX this scheme of operation can not boast. However, under load the chip is heated up to 67 degrees Celsius. For 190-watt graphics card — a decent result. Confuses only that the fans of the cooler was untwisted to 2700 rpm, that is 59% of the maximum possible frequency.
Monitoring indicators XFX Radeon R9 380X
As you well know, XFX Radeon R9 380X under load decently loud. One option for eliminating this drawback is to manually limit the frequency of rotation of the “carlsons” at least up to 2000 rpm. the Processor will get warm up to 75-80 degrees Celsius.
And one more thing. The difference in power usage between the Radeon R9 380X and the GeForce GTX 960 is 70 watts. Some would say that this is a non-critical indicator. I agree, only consumption in the amount of 120 watts allows manufacturers to collect cold and absolutely silent custom version of the GeForce GTX 960.
The maximum GPU temperature and noise level XFX Radeon R9 380X
The hottest place XFX Radeon R9 380X was the power supply subsystem of the GPU. In General, under load the card shows a comfortable temperature.
Heating XFX Radeon R9 380X
As for the overclocking, the Radeon R9 380X has demonstrated for standard solutions AMD results. By chip model from XFX clocked at only 90 MHz, memory — 150 (600) MHz.
Overclocking the XFX Radeon R9 380X to stable frequencies
3DMark Fire Strike
@1030/1450 MHz
Performance
8045
Performance — 4%
Extreme — 5,5%
Extreme
4079
@1120/1600 MHz
Performance
8377
Extreme
4302
Testing
Test stand:
- Processor: Intel Core i7-4790K @4,5 GHz
- CPU cooler: Corsair H75
- Motherboard: MSI Z97 MPOWER
- Storage: OCZ Vertex 3, 360 GB
- RAM: DDR3-2133 2x 8 GB
- Power supply: LEPA G1600, 1600W
- Peripherals: Samsung U28D590D, ROCCAT ARVO, ROCCAT SAVU
- Operating system: Windows 10 x64
Analysis of gaming performance
Proceed to the main section of this material. The manufacturer is positioning the Radeon R9 380X as the ideal solution for gaming in WQHD resolution. In principle, everything is logical. The GCN architecture is very responsive to increased load, and without 4 GB of memory in 1440p catching nothing special. Whether still will be, have already started to leave the game, in which 2 GB is not enough even in Full HD.
For analysis of game performance I have selected 11 modern games and tested XFX Radeon R9 380X in three resolutions: Full HD (1920×1080, 1080p), WQHD (2560×1440, 1440p) and Ultra HD (3840×2160, 2160p). Used maximum graphics quality settings (with the exception of very demanding Assassin’s Creed Unity and Assassin’s Creed Syndicate), but without the use of proprietary technologies from AMD and NVIDIA (TressFX, HairWorks, God Rays and other “features”). The mark of 30 FPS will be considered the minimum acceptable level of playability. Everything below is unplayable.
Let’s start with the most demanding applications of today. Namely, two versions of Assassin’s Creed. They work on the same engine, by the way. It will become worse because with the same level of graphic settings average FPS in the games were comparable, although many game journalists say that the image quality is Unity looks better. It is clear that Assassin’s Creed is a conveyor. But, in my opinion, the developers could better optimize the game, because in the allotted time, no advanced technologies nor by AMD or NVIDIA did not work.
But back to performance. While not the highest settings (the highest put on the blades of even the GeForce GTX TITAN X) the factor of safety Radeon R9 380X enough to maintain a comfortable level of FPS only at Full HD resolution. I note that in 1080p for a given quality of graphics Assassin’s Creed Syndicate requires 3 GB of VRAM. In the CPU and 3.5 GB in Ultra HD is 4.8 GB. So, again, 4 GB of video memory — this is the minimum necessary, even for Full HD.
Analysis of gaming performance AMD Radeon R9 380X in Assassin’s Creed Unity
Analysis of gaming performance AMD Radeon R9 380X in Assassin’s Creed Syndicate
Battlefield 4 by today’s standards it’s hard to call a demanding game. Even in Ultra HD at lower quality graphics and refusal effects such as antialiasing, conditionally to actually get a comfortable 30 FPS.
Analysis of gaming performance AMD Radeon R9 380X Battlefield 4
Analysis of gaming performance AMD Radeon R9 380X in Bioshock Infinite
The first Crysis just recently turned 8 years old! The third part of the franchise too, with white hair, but the game still belongs to the category of some of the most demanding. Here and Radeon R9 380X when we set graphics quality settings gives a comfortable amount of fps only at Full HD resolution.
Analysis of gaming performance AMD Radeon R9 380X in Crysis 3
Analysis of gaming performance AMD Radeon R9 380X in Crysis 3
A similar situation is observed in Far Cry 4. In order to play comfortably in WQHD resolution have to give up antialiasing at all. Ultra HD is not enough 4 GB of VRAM.
Analysis of gaming performance AMD Radeon R9 380X in Far Cry 4
But new this fall — Fallout 4 — has high system requirements. Comfortable FPS can be achieved even in 4K resolution.
Analysis of gaming performance AMD Radeon R9 380X in Fallout 4
When using 2x antialiasing and at the maximum graphics quality settings GTA V requires 2.6 GB of VRAM at Full HD and 3 GB per CPU. In these resolutions the Radeon R9 380X is capable of delivering a playable level of FPS.
Analysis of gaming performance AMD Radeon R9 380X in GTA V
Analysis of gaming performance AMD Radeon R9 380X in GTA V
Metro: Last Light is another “ancient” game, which, however, is able to load any modern GPU. Here and Radeon R9 380X with maximum settings shows conventionally a comfortable level of FPS only at Full HD resolution.
Analysis of gaming performance AMD Radeon R9 380X in Metro: Last Light
Tomb Raider in this plan can be called more loyal to a computer game. Only unplayable in Ultra HD.
Analysis of gaming performance AMD Radeon R9 380X in Tomb Raider
Finally, with a small decrease in graphics quality Radeon R9 380X will “pull” The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt in the resolution of WQHD.
Analysis of gaming performance AMD Radeon R9 380X in “the Witcher 3: wild Hunt”
Let us make an intermediate summary:
- Gaming in Full HD perfectly. All games at maximum graphics quality was demonstrated to a playable level of FPS.
- Gaming at WQHD — satisfactory. Very little, where the Radeon R9 380X has extended the permission given us the options. If you want to play in 1440p, the output only one — to be content with medium graphics quality.
- Gaming in Ultra HD is unsatisfactory. Additional comments are unnecessary. In some cases, marketers AMD, and NVIDIA intentionally overstate the capabilities of their products.
In General I cannot agree with “red” that Radeon R9 380X is designed for gaming in WQHD. In Full HD resolution the video card is much more comfortable, and the gamer will be able to treat yourself to highest quality graphics in any modern project. Yet to conquer 1440p will need heavier artillery. For Example, Radeon R9 390.
The performance of AMD Radeon R9 380X in games, average FPS
Compare graphics cards
So, with the performance level of Radeon R9 380X figured out. Now it is necessary to consider its performance against the competition. Interested in two things. First of all, does Radeon R9 380X faster than the GeForce GTX 960. Secondly, is there any difference between this novelty and the youngest Radeon R9 380. Let’s start with the synthetics. In 3DMark Fire Strike the accelerator Radeon R9 380X is showing very good results. Namely, our version from XFX are ahead of the GeForce GTX 960 26% in the Performance preset, and 20% the Extreme mode. The difference between the Radeon R9 380X and Radeon R9 380 is not so impressive: 12% and 11% respectively. Finally, from the Radeon R9 390 new behind at 27% and 28% depending on the benchmark mode.
Compare AMD Radeon R9 380X with competitors in 3DMark Fire Strike
More interesting results were demonstrated by synthetic called Heaven. In the resolution WQHD Radeon R9 380X ahead and Radeon R9 380 (only 3%), and GeForce GTX 960 (16.6%), but lost to Radeon R9 280X. This is quite possible, because Antigua XT and Tahiti XTL have similar characteristics. Consequently, the confrontation between two close cards (provided that performance is not depends on memory size) the last word spoken frequency. In Ultra HD performance graphics cards with 2 GB depends on resource constraints in 3D accelerator.
Compare AMD Radeon R9 380X with competitors in Heaven
Compare AMD Radeon R9 380X with competitors in Heaven
Compare AMD Radeon R9 380X with competitors in Heaven
In Assassin’s Creed Unity situation is somewhat different. Namely, the difference between the Radeon R9 380X and the GeForce GTX 380 is more pronounced at 12.5% in Full HD and 35.3% in the CPU. Well, at 1440p resolution, the graphics cards with 2GB of memory to catch in this game is nothing.
Compare AMD Radeon R9 380X with competitors in Assassin’s Creed Unity
Compare AMD Radeon R9 380X with competitors in Assassin’s Creed Unity
Compare AMD Radeon R9 380X with competitors in Assassin’s Creed Unity
Battlefield 4 is another example, when the Radeon R9 280X is faster than Radeon R9 380X. As practice shows, in this game, even Radeon HD 7970 manages to stay ahead of new. Apparently, the Frostbite engine loves the tire “thicker”.
Compare AMD Radeon R9 380X with competitors in Battlefield 4
Compare AMD Radeon R9 380X with competitors in Battlefield 4
Compare AMD Radeon R9 380X with competitors in Battlefield 4
In Far Cry 4 the difference between the Radeon R9 380X and the GeForce GTX 960 is 15.6% in Full HD and 108% in the CPU. As you can see, when using 4x antialiasing MSAA type two gigabytes of memory and 128-bit bus is not enough.
Compare AMD Radeon R9 380X with competitors in Far Cry 4
Compare AMD Radeon R9 380X with competitors in Far Cry 4
Compare AMD Radeon R9 380X with competitors in Far Cry 4
In the other games display a similar pattern. The exception is Metro: Last Light. Here the Radeon R9 380X and the GeForce GTX 960 show the same level of performance. Even in Ultra HD resolution. As for the games of 2015, GTA V demonstrates new Radeon R9 380 with the same results, and in the “Witcher” ahead of his younger brother by 4% in Full HD and 3% in the CPU. As you can see, in a number of games that use no more than 2 GB VRAM is not much difference between the XFX Radeon R9 380X and R9 380 MSI GAMING 2G is not observed. Do not forget that in selling full versions of the Radeon R9 380 with 4 GB “brains” on Board.
Calculations
Finally, let’s look at the performance of the Radeon R9 380X in applications unrelated with games. In the integrated benchmark SPECviewperf 12, simulating the work of popular CAD platforms, the GCN architecture is traditionally copes well with its task. So, for Radeon R9 380X “nine hundred and sixtieth” from NVIDIA — not a competitor. In some patterns it is even ahead of the GeForce GTX 970.
The performance of AMD Radeon R9 380X in SPECviewperf 12
But with the trace of the Maxwell architecture handles great. However, the Radeon R9 380X and the GeForce GTX 960 is here par. At the same time the novelty is ahead of the Radeon R9 380 9%.
The performance of AMD Radeon R9 380X in LuxMark 2.0
The Maxwell architecture is a purely gaming solution. This was clearly demonstrated by the calculations with double precision. Here GCN looks better. However, note that Radeon R9 390 is three times superior to the Radeon R9 380X. Due to the difference in speed computations with double-precision FP64. As we have seen, the “three hundred and ninety” it is about 1/8 of performance FP32, Radeon R9 380X and Radeon R9 380 is only 1/16.
The performance of AMD Radeon R9 380X in SiSoftware Sandra 2014
Analogues and competitors
As I said, reference available. Recently in the budget and middle price ranges do just that. In principle, the only advantage of the reference version of the card is its cheapness. Custom versions will cost a bit more expensive, but they typically offer a higher frequency (factory overclock), as well as more efficient and quieter cooling. Variations of its Radeon R9 380X, in addition to tested model from XFX that has already submitted to ASUS, GIGABYTE, SAPPHIRE, HIS, and PowerColor.
Video card ASUS Radeon STRIX R9 380X can boast factory overclocked, namely the new chip overclocked to 1030 MHz. The memory is not touched. For the GPU cooling is responsible cooler with two fans.
ASUS STRIX Radeon R9 380X
Call vertelki:ASUS Radeon R9 380X STRIX59101conf
The Radeon R9 380X NITRO from SAPPHIRE has a more substantial factory overclocking. The frequency of “stone” was increased to 1040 MHz. Plus overclocked to 1500 (6000) and memory.
SAPPHIRE Radeon R9 380X NITRO
Call vertelki:SAPPHIRE Radeon R9 380X NITRO59103conf
Video card manufacturing company marked GIGABYTE GV-R938XG1 Gaming-4GD not overclocked. For the cooling of the chip and the memory meets the cooler WindForce. At low loads the fan device to stop its rotation.
GIGABYTE GV-R938XG1 Gaming-4GD
Call vertelki:GIGABYTE GV-R938XG1 Gaming-4GD59103conf
Finally, the model R9 380X Myst Edition from PowerColor overclocked at the factory to 1020 MHz on the chip and 1475 (5900) MHz on the memory. For cooling Novik is responsible enough overall the cooler is equipped with two fans.
As you can see, all the custom devices have approximately the same frequency characteristics. Therefore, among the variety of Radeon R9 380X it is necessary to choose the most quiet and cool instance.
PowerColor R9 380X Myst Edition
Call vertelki:PowerColor R9 380X Myst Edition59103conf
In conclusion
Performance Radeon R9 380X all became clear after meeting with its technical parameters. Though the video card and used a relatively modern chip Antigua XT, but in terms of characteristics very similar to the new Radeon R9 280X and Radeon HD 7970. Here are the results of testing demonstrate the same. Somewhere just ahead turns out Radeon R9 380X, the Radeon R9 280X. It all depends on the specific application. Overall between these video cards can be put a sign of equality. However, at this point in time the Radeon R9 380X looks more preferable due to the presence of 4 GB of VRAM and seriously reduced the level of TDP. A no, but there has been progress. Find Radeon R9 280X and the Radeon HD 7970 more in retail sales is very difficult. However, there are online flea markets.
The main competitor to Radeon R9 380X “red” is considered to be the GeForce GTX 960, although it is quite successfully competed Radeon R9 380. Well, in the vast majority of applications Antigua XT is faster GM206. In some games the difference between the accelerator achieves very decent performance. So, according to our testing, the new Tomb Raider is ahead of the GeForce GTX 960 is about 40%. In other applications there is only a small Maxwell gap from DSP 1.2. At the same time, Radeon R9 380X in some games is faster than Radeon R9 380 is only a little bit. Therefore, coordinates in the price/performance video card without the prefix “X” looks more preferable.
I disagree with the positioning of the Radeon R9 380X. AMD believe that this video card suitable for gaming in WQHD resolution. A stretch, Yes, perfect. But the most comfortable graphics adapter feels in Full HD. Still need to WQHD accelerators GeForce GTX 970/980 video cards and Radeon R9 390/Fury.
The most difficult is to find a new place under the sun. To find in our country, because in the USA recommended for $ 230 Radeon R9 380X harmoniously blends between the GeForce GTX 960 and GeForce GTX 970. But Russia declared done other pictures. In the States simultaneously with the release of the Radeon R9 380X cost on virtually all current models of AMD significantly decreased.
The actual cost of the graphics cards in the USA
Radeon R9 390
$290
GeForce GTX 970
Radeon R9 380X
$230
Radeon R9 380
$170/180
GeForce GTX 960
$150
The GeForce GTX 950
Radeon R7 370
$130
So, Radeon R9 380X with factory overclocking is officially sold in Russia for a suggested price of 19 500 rubles, which at current at the time of writing the exchange rate was neither more nor less 285-290 USD. In stores start to receive the first samples of this price. On the one hand, everything is logical, because the version of the Radeon R9 380 and GeForce GTX 960 with 4 GB of memory costs us on average of 15-17, 000. On the other hand, at 20-21, 000 rubles in retail stores in Moscow quite really to find GeForce GTX 970 and Radeon R9 390. It turns out that novelty is literally between two fires.
Let’s hope that after the decline of the hype the real value of the Radeon R9 380X will be reduced to correlate with the recommended in the United States, the $ 230 price tag. Therefore, with this reduced price on the Radeon R9 380 and GeForce GTX 960 (as in USA). The increase in competition always benefits the end customer. Otherwise, the Radeon R9 380X will be very hard to compete with the slightly higher graphics cards.
As far as the sample from XFX, it’s hard for me to recommend this model to buy. The graphics card is working very noisy. I hope analogues from other manufacturers in operation will be less efficient, but quieter.