Gigabyte Windforce R9-27xOC-2GD
Overview
Hardware: Video CardsWHAT WE LIKED:
Performance, Price and Value, Cooling, Quiet and looks.WHAT WE DISLIKED:
None
Introduction:
There has been a flurry of guesses, assumptions, predictions and all out nonsense relating to the new AMD R9 and R7 series of GPUs. Well the day has come where we can confirm and/or lay to rest most of the items previously listed. Launch day is here!
The internet has been on fire for the last few days about the new AMD GPUs for multiple reasons: performance increases, newer technology features and most of all prices. We all love to finally know how much something will cost so we know how much work it will be to obtain. We love it even more when we get more performance per dollar. That ratio seems to be the driving force behind the new AMD cards released today.
Unfortunately we don’t get to see all of the new features of the Hawaii based cards, but I will cover some of those here. What we do get to see is a shift towards a model based on the idea that everyone/anyone can be a gamer. The R9-270x is focused on the mainstream segment of the market where most of the market share resides. Lowering the initial cost of entering the PC gaming segment while still allowing them to play most games with high settings can be a big win for the industry. More people will buy games and will upgrade other hardware. They might also add a 2nd GPU when they decide one will no longer feed their thirst for higher levels of detail and resolution.
Many, like myself, are eager to see what the new- “New era of gaming” is all about. Can it possibly live up to expectations? Gigabyte was kind enough to send us their new Windforce R9-27xOC-2GD to see how well it fits into this new model for gamers and “future” gamers. Gigabyte is known for putting together some of the coolest running cards that perform well above reference models. I want to say thank you to Gigabyte for this opportunity.
GIGABYTE: Leader in IT Innovation
GIGABYTE was founded in 1986, establishing our uncontested position in continuous technological innovation. By focusing on key technologies and achieving strict quality standards, GIGABYTE has been regarded as an innovative and trusted motherboard leader in the globe. To keep pace in a rapidly changing world, we have offered a comprehensive product line covering Motherboards, Graphics Cards, PC Components, PC Peripherals, Laptops, Slate Devices, Desktop PCs, Network Communications, Servers and Mobile Phones. We are dedicated to building up a full-range digital life, responding promptly and sonorously to consumer needs and desires.
Model
GV-R927XOC-2GD
1280 Shaders
Rops/Tmu 32/80
1100 Mhz Core Clock
PCI Express 3.0
1400Mhz Memory clock
Effective Memory Clock
5500MHz
2GB 256-bit GDDR5
1 x HDMI
1 x DisplayPort
2 x DVI
Before we dive headlong into the review of the Windforce R9-27xOC, let’s go over some of the new features to be found in some of the newer Hawaii based GPUs.
