[Part 3] Build an Effective LAN Gaming System – Discrete Graphics : AMD Radeon HD 7790

This article is an add-on to the previous article on building an effect LAN gaming system.

[Part 2] Build an Effective LAN Gaming System – Building, Benchmarks and Conclusion

This article serves as a recommendation of discrete Graphics Card choice for those who wants more performance out from their APU system, allowing them to play games at higher frame rates and even more 3D intensive games.

Introduction

Targeted at the performance-mainstream market, the AMD Radeon HD7790 should be the choice of most users who are looking for a decent card, but not willing to spend more than 300SGD.

The HD7790 could probably entice some new system builders and gamers looking for a nice upgrade from their entry level graphics card or probably from an APU build.

How will the overclocked version of HD7790 fair against a APU setup? We take a look ASUS’s offering of the DirectCU II OC version of the AMD Radeon HD7790 and compare it to the built in AMD A10-5800K’s Radeon HD7660D graphics card and see if the upgrade is worthwhile.

First Look

ASUS RADEON HD 7790 DirectCU II OC

The ASUS Radeon HD7790 DirectCu II from ASUS has an oversized GPU cooler. This will effectively cool all
the different components on the graphics card to ensure card stability and
longevity. DirectCu II design allows the graphics card to exceptionally standout from the whole system build as well!

Output Interfaces

The HD7790 has a full size display port, a HDMI port, a DVI-D port and a DVI-I
port. If you are using the DVI to VGA adapter, make sure to connect it to the
DVI-I port instead of the DVI-D port as only DVI-I port supports analog
signals.

The HD7790 requires a single 6-pin connector and consumes less power compared to any higher end graphics card out on the market like HD7850. The
HD7790 makes it a better choice for HTPCs as well, where PSUs are limited by their
physical size and therefore wattage. The power requirements of HD7790 is also considerably low, meaning that some money can be saved on the power supply as well.

Accessories

Within the box is a speed setup guide, a Driver CD which also includes the
latest ASUS GPU Tweak tool, a CrossFire Bridge and a DVI-VGA Adapter.

System Specifications

Motherboard and Processor : ASUS F2A85-M and AMD A10 5800K
RAM : GSKILL
RIPJAW 8GB RAM
Storage :1TB Seagate 7200RPM
Power Supply : FSP HEXA 500W
Graphics Card : ASUS Radeon HD7790 DirectCU II OC

The Radeon HD7790 DirectCU II graphics card is in fact factory overclocked from 1000MHz to 1075MHz. The speeds can be increased even further with overclocking as DirectCu II technology from ASUS keeps the graphics card cool and highly overclockable.

SPECIFICATIONS
	Model name	HD7790-DC2OC-1GD5
	Graphics engine	AMD Radeon™ HD 7790
	Open GL	Open GL 4.2
	Video memory	1GB GDDR5, 6400MHz (1600MHz GDDR5)
	Memory interface	128-bit
	Engine clock	1075MHz
	Outputs	DVI-I x 1, DVI-D x 1
	Bundled software	ASUS GPU Tweak and driver
	Dimensions	8.5-inch x 5.1-inch x 1.5-inch

Benchmarks

All tests were done at 1280 x 720 resolution with extra effects features turned off.

Conclusion

Is the upgrade significant to the whole APU system build? Definitely YES. The AMD Radeon HD7790 graphics card is shown to be more than two times faster than the integrated GPU in A10-5800K. It finally made previously almost unplayable games playable with the new discrete class graphics card. In fact, the Radeon HD7790 graphics card is just the right card to allow games to be played on a Full-HD resolution. We are not doing good by putting HD7790 to the tests by running games at 1280 x 720.

If you are looking to upgrade your current setup to play games smoothly on a Full-HD display, look no further as AMD’s HD7790 Graphics Card will give you the best bang for the buck, providing adequate performance for all games currently on the market.

For a full review of ASUS Radeon HD7790 DirectCu II Graphics Card, visit

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[Part 3] Build an Effective LAN Gaming System – Discrete Graphics : AMD Radeon HD 7790

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