Powercolor RX 7900 XTX RD:
Architecture:
This Powercolor RX 7900 XTX Red Devil Limited Edition is the third card that we test and that benefits from the brand new RDNA3architecture. This new architecture succeeds RDNA2 which was represented by the last high-end model, the RX 6950 XT. We had reviewed the Powercolor RX 6950 XT Liquid Devil a few months ago. Let’s hope to see also soon a Powercolor RX 7900 XTX Limited Edition in “Liquid Devil” version.
The novelty of this architecture is the design based on the addition of MCD (Memory Cache Die), also called memory chiplets. This design with its two distinct parts reminds us of the AMD processors. We find the GCD (Graphic Compute Die) engraved in 5 nm with a size of 300 mm ² and then five or six MCD(Memory Cache Die) also called memory chiplets that are engraved in 6 nm. Each one occupies a surface of 37 mm².
The bundle:
Sit back and relax because this is an exceptional bundle. The box received has dimensions of 410 x 220 x 170 mm and has two locks that keep the box sealed. Let’s talk about the visual present on the front and back side which includes the logo of the brand in a cloud of red smoke, it is just sublime.
Once the two locks open, let’s discover what is hidden inside. The box opens from the front and the first thing we discover is a rectangular box. In this box is hidden a new backplate. Powercolor had a very good idea in deciding to offer an additional backplate but will continue to offer others in the weeks to come. The idea is that you can customize your card as you wish. This is a great initiative!
So here is what the offered backplate looks like. Of course, we will install it on our copy to show you what it looks like. The fixing principle is very simple since the backplate is magnetized. We then remove a cardboard sheet to discover a whole series of accessories offered in bundle.
Under the cardboard sheet, we find several accessories: a user guide, a Red Devil sticker, a metal magnet and finally a support to maintain your graphics card vertically and prevent it from distorting.
Finally, as you might expect, we find our copy of the Powercolor RX 7900 XTX Red Devil Limited Edition protected in its antistatic plastic and an RGB cable.
A custom card that makes a statement:
The least we can say is that this Powercolor RX 7900 XTX Red Devil Limited Edition is impressive and this, because of its 40 mm high radiator. The fairing of the card is also quite limited, which allows to see the radiator. Another positive point is that it will allow it to “breathe easily” and thus keep very good temperatures. This is what we will be looking for during our test. Thickness obliges, the card will use 3 slots in your case.
The card is equipped with 3 fans of 100 mm. They are responsible for dissipating the heat accumulated by the radiator. The three fans have 9 blades as well as Mute Fan Technology which allows them to remain at rest if the temperature of the GPU does not exceed 50 degrees.
Finally, the card has a metal backplate whose role is to stiffen the PCB as well as protect it from damage. The backplate is cut out at the back of the graphics chip to optimize cooling and is equipped with a backlit PowerColor Red Devil logo. The backplate supplied in a bundle can be stuck on via a magnet system.
Here is what it looks like, once clipped to the back of the PCB. We will take pictures with and without so you can see the difference.
The presence of two BIOS and RGB
The card has two BIOS, which has become common on high-end cards. You can choose between the OC BIOS (315 watts) and the Silent BIOS (303 watts). The only difference between the two is a higher fan speed for the OC version and a slightly higher boost frequency. Powercolor talks about 2525 MHz for the Silent BIOS and 2565 MHz for the OC.
Both BIOS have the Mute Fan Technology feature that allows the three fans to remain idle if the GPU temperature does not exceed 50 degrees. As we mentioned, this is a “Limited Edition” version with 1500 units produced. Our sample is number 149.
The RGB backlight area is located on the back of the card. By default, it will light up in red but via the cable provided in the bundle, you can opt for other colors by connecting it to your motherboard.
The heat sink :
As we said above, the radiator is really imposing with its height of 40 mm. The heatsink is composed of three distinct parts. The central part is responsible for dissipating the heat from the graphics chip as well as the memory chips. The other two parts focus on the different phases of the power stage while also using different thermal pads.
The heat sink is crossed by eight 6 mm copper heat pipes. The part in contact with the GPU has been machined to ensure the widest possible contact area and to dissipate the heat over the entire length of the heatsink.
The only role of the backplate is to stiffen the PCB and to prevent it from twisting under the weight of the board.
The connectors :
To power this board, and this is great news, AMD has chosen to keep the 8-pin power connectors, and our sample has three of them.
AMD has opted for DisplayPort 2.1 support on the RX 7900 XTX and RX 7900 XT. This means higher refresh rate support in 4K and 8K compared to the DisplayPort 1.4 port that NVIDIA uses on its latest RTX 4000 series cards. AMD offers simultaneous encode or decode for AV1, which will be of interest to content creators. So we have three DisplayPort 2.1 and one HDMI 2.1.
