AMD introduces ‘Tonga’ GPU, Radeon R9 285 graphics cards

Advanced Micro Devices has officially introduced its new Radeon R9 285 graphics card as well as the code-named “Tonga” graphics processing unit. The new graphics card will cost $249 and is projected to deliver performance akin to that of the Radeon R9 280.

The AMD Radeon R9 285 based on the Tonga Pro GPU features 1792 stream processors, 112 texture units, 32 raster operating units as well as 256-bit memory interface. The graphics chip is clocked at 918MHz, whereas recommended GDDR5 memory frequency is 5.50GHz. The graphics card requires two 6-pin PCI Express power connectors and consumes up to 190W, according to AMD. The Radeon R9 285 with 2GB or 4GB RAM will become available on the 2nd of September, 2014, for $249.

Later on AMD plans to release its Radeon R9 285X that will feature Tonga XT graphics processing unit with up to 2048 stream processors, 128 texture units and presumably higher clock-rates.

AMD’s code-named “Tonga” graphics processor is based a new incarnation of the GCN [graphics core next] architecture. The GPU supports DirectX 11.2 capabilities, Eyefinity, TrueAudio and other technologies supported by other AMD graphics chips.

The “Tonga” GPU is not designed to offer leading-edge performance, but to power performance-mainstream graphics cards that should be competitive in terms of price.

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KitGuru Says: The “Tonga” GPU is basically a cheaper version of the good-old “Tahiti” graphics chip that costs a little less to manufacture and which has lower memory bandwidth. If you already own a Radeon R9 280/R9 280X or a Radeon HD 7950/7970, then the Radeon R9 285/285X are not for you.

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