AMD Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition Video Card Review
AMD is announcing today the Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition, a mainstream video card based on PCI Express 3.0 and DirectX 11.1. Let’s see how it performs on our tests.
Home » AMD Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition Video Card Review
Introduction
Contents
The new Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition, which is being released today, is a mainstream video card based on the latest graphics architecture from AMD, dubbed “Graphics Core Next” or simply “GCN,” which supports the new PCI Express 3.0 connection and the latest DirectX version (11.1).
For a detailed explanation of the new features present on this latest architecture, please read our Radeon HD 7970 review.
AMD is also releasing a cheaper version of this video card, the Radeon HD 7750, which we will cover in a separate review. The Radeon HD 7750 and Radeon HD 7770 use the codename “Cape Verde.” By the way, this country is located in the Northern Hemisphere, not in the Southern. (This new GPU architecture from AMD used by these video cards is codenamed “Southern Islands.”)
At USD 160, the new Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition is available with the same price range as the Radeon HD 6850 and the GeForce GTX 460 with 1 GB. During its presentations, AMD compared the Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition against the GeForce GTX 550 Ti, but they are in different price segments. In the table below, we compare the main specifications of the video cards included in our review. As you can see, the Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition works at 1 GHz, and hence its name. The prices listed below do not include rebates and are for the models with the clock and memory configurations listed below. Prices were researched at Newegg.com on the day we published this review, except for the Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition, which is the price advertised by AMD.
| Video Card | Core Clock | Shader Clock | Memory Clock (Effective) | Memory Interface | Memory Transfer Rate | Memory | Shaders | DirectX | Price |
| Radeon HD 7770 | 1 GHz | 1 GHz | 4. 5 GHz |
128-bit | 72 GB/s | 1 GB GDDR5 | 640 | 11.1 | USD 160 |
| Radeon HD 6850 | 775 MHz | 775 MHz | 4 GHz | 256-bit | 128 GB/s | 1 GB GDDR5 | 960 | 11 | USD 140 – 170 |
| GeForce GTX 460 | 675 MHz | 1,350 MHz | 3.6 GHz | 256-bit | 115.2 GB/s | 1 GB GDDR5 | 336 | 11 | USD 140 – 150 |
| GeForce GTX 550 Ti | 900 MHz | 1.8 GHz | 4.1 GHz | 192-bit | 98.4 GB/s | 1 GB GDDR5 | 192 | 11 | USD 120 – 130 |
You can compare the specs of these video cards with other video cards by taking a look at our “AMD ATI Chips Comparison Table” and “NVIDIA Chips Comparison Table” tutorials.
Today, only the LGA2011 Core i7 processors (“Sandy Bridge-E”) have a PCI Express 3.0 controller. In our Radeon HD 7970 review, we discovered that, at this time, there is no difference between using a PCI Express 2.
0 or a PCI Express 3.0 connection. Since the reviewed video card is a mainstream product, we decided to use a different testing platform, based on a Core i5-2500K processor.
Now let’s take a complete look at the AMD Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition reference model.
Video Reviews
Reader Interactions
SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 7770 Video Card 100358L
LOADING…
- 1GB 128-Bit GDDR5
- Core Clock 1000 MHz
- 1 x DVI 1 x HDMI 1 x DisplayPort 1.2
- 640 Stream Processors
- PCI Express 3.0 x16
Overview
Specs
Reviews
The new SAPPHIRE HD 7700 series is a new family of graphics cards targeting the enthusiast on a budget and mainstream users looking for increased graphics performance. Among them, the SAPPHIRE HD 7770 GHz Edition offers 1GHz clock for top of line performance. With AMD’s GCN Architecture and the industry’s very first 28nm GPU design, the AMD Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition offers incredible, best-in-class entertainment experiences that every gamer deserves.
Packed with incredible features, such as PCI Express 3.0, the ultra-efficient AMD ZeroCore Power technology or AMD Eyefinity technology, this card offers the world’s most advanced graphics. For everyone.
- GHz EditionThe gigahertz barrier has been broken. Armed with a stunning factory-overclocked 1GHz GPU based on the revolutionary GCN Architecture, the SAPPHIRE HD 7770 GHz Edition is quite simply engineered to annihilate.
- New GCN Architecture for Leading DirectX 11 PerformanceAMD Radeon HD 7700 Series (code name Cape Verde) boasts the award-winning 28nm GPU architecture which is optimized for gaming and compute. The AMD Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition features 10 Compute Units, each with 64 Vector Units for up to 640 Stream Processors, along with dual Asynchronous Compute Engines (ACE) and 128bit of 1GB GDDR5 Memory. Ready for DirectX 11 and PCI Express 3.0, AMD Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition with GCN architecture offers fantastic DirectX 11 gaming.
- Next Generation AMD Eyefinity Technology & AMD HD3DAMD Eyefinity 2.
0 features all-new support for stereo 3D, universal bezel compensation, brand new display configurations and an expanded and more immersive field of view. With full support for 3GHz HDMI and DisplayPort 1.2 HBR2, the AMD Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition is set to drive next generation displays at up to 4K resolution. The AMD Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition is also backed by AMD’s open 3D initiative for stereo 3D gaming and Blu-ray 3D movies. - Refined AMD PowerTune Technology & AMD ZeroCore Power TechnologyDesigned with the most advanced power management features, the AMD Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition is equipped with the intelligence to convert unused power headroom into extra performance by dynamically controlling clock speeds, allowing gamers advanced performance inside of the power envelope they specify. AMD ZeroCore Power technology found in the AMD Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition enables lower idle power than any other currently available graphics card. With support for AMD CrossFire technology, AMD ZeroCore Power eliminates wasted power, as well as additional heat and noise from extra cards when you are not using them.
- Enhanced Dual-GPU Capability with PCI Express 3.0AMD CrossFire technology is the ultimate dual-GPU performance gaming platform. Unlocking game-dominating power, AMD CrossFire technology, coupled with native support for PCI Express 3.0, will allow for unprecedented bandwidth in dual-GPU configurations.
- Discrete Digital Multi-Point (DDM) AudioDDM Audio provides multiple independent audio streams for audio-capable displays via DisplayPort or HDMI signals. DDM Audio delivers unique experiences in cases where multi-display video conferencing, directional audio or multi-room entertainment hubs are being used.
Warranty, Returns, And Additional Information
LOADING…
LOADING…
0022 32 GPixel/s vs 16 GPixel/s
1200MHz vs 1125MHz
4800MHz vs 4500MHz
2GB vs 1GB
154GB/s vs 72GB/s
256bit vs 128bit
- 95W below TDP?
80W vs 175W - 1 more DisplayPort outputs?
1 vs 0 - 50mm narrower?
191mm vs 241mm
Which comparisons are the most popular?
AMD Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition
vs
AMD Radeon Vega 8
Asus HD 7770
vs
Nvidia GeForce GTX 750 Ti
AMD Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition
vs
AMD Radeon RX 550
ASUS HD 7770
VS
NVIDIA GEFORCE GT 630 OEM 2GB
AMD Radeon HD 7870 GHZ Edition
VS
AMD RADEON RADEN 60004 ASUS HDSE 9000 9000)0003
AMD Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition
vs
Nvidia GeForce GTX 660
Asus HD 7770
vs
AMD Radeon HD 6670
AMD Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition
vs
AMD Radeon R7 360
ASUS HD 7770
VS
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 7500004 AMD Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition
vs
Nvidia GeForce GTX 670
Asus HD 7770
vs
Nvidia GeForce GTX 550 Ti
AMD Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition
vs
MSI HD 6870 Hawk
ASUS HD 7770
VS
ASUS HD 7750
AMD Radeon HD 7870 GHZ Edition
VS
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650
003
AMD Radeon HD 7870 GHZ Edition
VS
AMD Radeon 520
ASUS HD 7770
NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 560 TI
Frequencies
Revenues
Executive Revenues
Executive Revenues
Executive Revenues
Executive Revenues
1000MHz
1000MHz
The graphics processing unit (GPU) has a higher clock speed.
2.turbo GPU
Unknown. Help us offer a price. (AMD Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition)
Unknown. Help us offer a price. (Asus HD 7770)
When the GPU is running below its limits, it can jump to a higher clock speed to increase performance.
3.pixel rate
32 GPixel/s
16 GPixel/s
The number of pixels that can be displayed on the screen every second.
4.flops
2.56 TFLOPS
1.28 TFLOPS
FLOPS is a measure of GPU processing power.
5.texture size
80 GTexels/s
40 GTexels/s
Number of textured pixels that can be displayed on the screen every second.
6.GPU memory speed
1200MHz
1125MHz
Memory speed is one aspect that determines memory bandwidth.
7.
shading patterns
Shading units (or stream processors) are small processors in a video card that are responsible for processing various aspects of an image.
8.textured units (TMUs)
TMUs take textured units and map them to the geometric layout of the 3D scene. More TMUs generally means texture information is processed faster.
9 ROPs
ROPs are responsible for some of the final steps of the rendering process, such as writing the final pixel data to memory and for performing other tasks such as anti-aliasing to improve the appearance of graphics.
Memory
1.memory effective speed
4800MHz
4500MHz
The effective memory clock frequency is calculated from the memory size and data transfer rate. A higher clock speed can give better performance in games and other applications.
2.max memory bandwidth
154GB/s
72GB/s
This is the maximum rate at which data can be read from or stored in memory.
3.VRAM
VRAM (video RAM) is the dedicated memory of the graphics card. More VRAM usually allows you to run games at higher settings, especially for things like texture resolution.
4.memory bus width
256bit
128bit
Wider memory bus means it can carry more data per cycle. This is an important factor in memory performance, and therefore the overall performance of the graphics card.
5.versions of GDDR memory
Later versions of GDDR memory offer improvements such as higher data transfer rates, which improve performance.
6. Supports memory debug code
✖AMD Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition
✖Asus HD 7770
Memory debug code can detect and fix data corruption. It is used when necessary to avoid distortion, such as in scientific computing or when starting a server.
Functions
1.
DirectX version
DirectX is used in games with a new version that supports better graphics.
2nd version of OpenGL
The newer version of OpenGL, the better graphics quality in games.
OpenCL version 3.
Some applications use OpenCL to use the power of the graphics processing unit (GPU) for non-graphical computing. Newer versions are more functional and better quality.
4. Supports multi-monitor technology
✔AMD Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition
✔Asus HD 7770
The video card has the ability to connect multiple screens. This allows you to set up multiple monitors at the same time to create a more immersive gaming experience, such as a wider field of view.
5. GPU temperature at boot
Unknown. Help us offer a price. (AMD Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition)
Unknown. Help us offer a price.
(Asus HD 7770)
Lower boot temperature — this means that the card generates less heat and the cooling system works better.
6.supports ray tracing
✖AMD Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition
✖Asus HD 7770
Ray tracing is an advanced light rendering technique that provides more realistic lighting, shadows and reflections in games.
7.Supports 3D
✔AMD Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition
✔Asus HD 7770
Allows you to view in 3D (if you have a 3D screen and glasses).
8.supports DLSS
✖AMD Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition
✖Asus HD 7770
DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) is an AI based scaling technology. This allows the graphics card to render games at lower resolutions and upscale them to higher resolutions with near-native visual quality and improved performance. DLSS is only available in some games.
9.
PassMark result (G3D)
Unknown. Help us offer a price. (AMD Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition)
Unknown. Help us offer a price. (Asus HD 7770)
This test measures the graphics performance of a graphics card. Source: Pass Mark.
Ports
1.has HDMI output
✔AMD Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition
✔Asus HD 7770
Devices with HDMI or mini HDMI ports can stream HD video and audio to the connected display.
2.HDMI connectors
Unknown. Help us offer a price. (AMD Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition)
Unknown. Help us offer a price. (Asus HD 7770)
More HDMI connectors allow you to connect multiple devices such as game consoles and TVs at the same time.
3rd HDMI version
Unknown. Help us offer a price. (AMD Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition)
Unknown. Help us offer a price. (Asus HD 7770)
Newer versions of HDMI support higher bandwidth, resulting in higher resolutions and frame rates.
4. DisplayPort outputs
Allows connection to a display using DisplayPort.
5.DVI outputs
Allows connection to a display using DVI.
Mini DisplayPort 6 outputs
Allows connection to a display using mini DisplayPort.
Price comparison
Cancel
Which graphic cards are better?
Review Sapphire Radeon HD 7770 Vapor-X OC Edition. Alternative version of the popular solution
Introduction
The end of August — the beginning of September is traditionally the time for the purchase of new computers for schoolchildren and students. During this period of time, manufacturers are in no hurry to release new generations of solutions, since seasonal sales growth is an excellent reason to clear warehouses from products accumulated over the summer months. In today’s review, we propose to dwell on another variation of the AMD Radeon HD 7770 Ghz Edition video card — Sapphire Radeon HD 7770 Vapor-X OC Edition.
Earlier on our Mega Review portal, we have already reviewed four video cards based on the AMD Radeon HD 7770 core:
— ASUS Radeon HD 7770 DirectCu review. Modified product at reference price
— MSI Radeon HD 7770 1GB OC Edition review. Video cards for prudent users
— Sapphire Radeon HD 7770 review. Market heats up
— XFX Radeon HD 7770 1GB GDDR5 BE review. The sub-$200 segment from AMD
Strong user interest in data graphics cards is associated with their cost and high operating frequency. If the cost of the junior version of the AMD Radeon HD 7750 is around $100, then the cost of the older AMD Radeon HD 7770 solution reaches $150. The recommended cost of the latest version is around $130, which is quite acceptable for a video card from the new series. As AMD prepares to release the new generation of AMD Radeon HD 8000 graphics cards, we’ll share our experience with the Cape Verde-based AMD Radeon HD 7770 and Radeon HD 7750 graphics cards.
Video cards AMD Radeon HD 7750 and Radeon HD 7770 differ not only in operating frequencies, but also in the number of functioning computing units. The results of testing in various tests indicate that the difference in the performance level of these solutions is in the region of 20%. Direct competitors of the AMD Radeon HD 7770 video card from the previous generation of the video card should be considered the AMD Radeon HD 5830 or AMD Radeon HD 6850. Based on the experience of operating all these video cards, it should be noted that the AMD Radeon HD 6850 video card with a wider 256-bit data exchange bus will be a more preferable purchase . Due to the narrow bus, the AMD Radeon HD 7770 video card cannot provide the same level of comfort in gaming applications, it “suffocates” immediately when the load increases.
The video cards based on the Cape Verde core boast high operating frequencies. Both video cards (Radeon HD 7750 and 7770) are based on the same core, have different number of functioning blocks, different voltages and number of functioning blocks.
The older graphics card AMD Radeon HD 7770, without changing the operating voltage, stably conquers frequencies of 1100 MHz for the core and 1200 MHz for video memory. It should be noted that everything depends on the applied voltage and cooling efficiency. AMD Radeon HD 7750 video cards can be successfully overclocked only after increasing the operating voltage on the core, provided that the video card has a soldered high-quality power system.
As already mentioned, the success of overclocking of video cards based on the Cape Verde core entirely depends on the set voltage level. These video cards also have a built-in power consumption and heat dissipation level controller, which is adjusted in the CCC driver settings under the Power Control item. If you are thinking about overclocking a video card, you need to safely drag this slider to the right, otherwise you risk not getting any stable overclocking and performance gains from modifying the operating voltages.
Speaking about the recommended power supply , for these video cards, it should be noted that manufacturers declare the need to use devices with a power of more than 450 watts.
We can also note that a high-quality power supply unit with a power of 350-400 watts is quite enough for systems based on these video cards, since these solutions have a low level of power consumption.
Users often ask about compatibility of PCI-Express 3.0 graphics cards with PCI-Express 1.0 and 2.0 slots. Based on operating experience, we can say that we did not notice any compatibility problems with aging PCI-Express interfaces in AMD Radeon HD 7770 and Radeon HD 7750 video cards.
Now we propose to start reviewing the video card Sapphire Radeon HD 7770 Vapor-X OC Edition, dwelling along the way on the key points of operational problems.
Equipment
— Clickable image —
The Sapphire Radeon HD 7770 Vapor-X comes in a blue box. On the front side, a warrior girl Sapphire is depicted in a white winter outfit. In the form of icons, the features of the video card are listed.
— The picture is clickable —
On the back of the box, the manufacturer lists the technical features of the video card in the form of pictograms. All noted features refer to the AMD Radeon HD 7770 series of video cards, and not to the video card in question in particular.
— Image is clickable —
Package includes video card, user manual, CD with drivers and software, DVI-to-VGA adapter, HDMI cable, PCI-Express power cable.
Visual inspection of the video card
— Clickable image —
The Sapphire Radeon HD 7770 Vapor-X video card has a modified cooling system, which is a key difference between this video card and other products.
— Clickable picture —
The heat from the core is removed to the copper heat chamber.
The thermal chamber is connected by heat pipes to the main large aluminum radiator, which is blown by two 80 mm cooling fans.
— The picture is clickable —
A six-pin auxiliary power connector is soldered on the side wall of the video card. The cable for it is included in the delivery package of the video card.
— Clickable image —
The video card has one CrossFire connector for connecting a bridge and combining the functionality of two video cards into a single unit.
— Clickable picture —
The video card has a two-slot format. Four ports are wired for image output: two DVI, one DisplayPort, one HDMI port.
— The picture is clickable —
Video memory chips from Elpida are soldered on the video card.
These chips cannot be called products with high overclocking potential. Overclocking for these chips is traditionally low, and Elpida itself has been in a pre-bankrupt state for quite a long time.
AMD Radeon HD 7770 graphics card specifications
1. Core operating frequency: 1000 MHz
2. Universal processors: 640
3. Memory type: GDDR5
4. Memory capacity: 1 GB
5. Video memory operating frequency: 1125 MHz
6. Bus 128 bit
7. PCI Express 3.0 bus
8. Heat dissipation: up to 80 W
9. Recommended cost: $130-150 dollars
The Sapphire Radeon HD 7770 Vapor-X graphics card has modified operating frequencies. The frequency of the graphics core is increased to 1100 MHz, and the frequency of the video memory is up to 1300 MHz. It should be noted that this level of overclocking is quite high for the factory level.
Test configuration
For testing, the Sapphire Radeon HD 7770 Vapor-X video card was installed in the system unit:
1.
Intel Core i7 920 processor.
2. ASUS P6T motherboard.
3.2×3 Gb Samsung Original DDR3-1600
4.WD 1TB WD1001FALS Caviar Black SATAII
5. Hiper M1000 power supply.
6. Thermaltake Mambo case.
7. ASRock USB 3.0 PCI-Exp x1 dual port board.
1. The temperature regime of the video card.
The graphics card has been tested under the following conditions:
— 27 degrees in the room,
— the video card is installed in a closed case,
— there are no additional cooling fans in the case,
— the load is applied until the temperatures are fully stabilized for 15 minutes.
Due to the presence of a modified cooling system, even with a significant level of factory overclocking, the video card operates in a fairly comfortable temperature range.
The distance between the mounting screws of the cooling system is 43×43 mm, so any product designed for AMD Radeon HD 26xx/36xx/46xx/47xx video cards is suitable for replacing the standard cooling system of reference video cards.