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This week AMD launch their new R9 270 graphics card – set to replace the HD7850 at the lower end of the enthusiast gaming market. Thankfully today we haven’t been forced to review a reference AMD solution and instead we can focus on some higher grade partner cards. Our second launch review today focuses on the new ASUS R9 270 Direct CU II featuring high out of the box overclocks and a custom two fan cooler.
Both of our launch reviews feature cards with custom cooling solutions, and the ASUS R9 270 uses the very capable Direct CU II cooler which we have seen in various guises on other ASUS cards in recent months.
The new R9 270 is only $20 cheaper than the R9 270x. According to AMD documentation the pricing at time of launch is 270x $199 and 270 $179.
The official specifications for the R9 270 are shown above. AMD have given the card 1,280 Stream Processors – the same as the R9 270X version. The 270 core clock is significantly reduced, with AMD stating a maximum speed of 925mhz. Both partner cards we are reviewing today are overclocked and ignore the reference rating.
The R9 270 has 32 ROPS and 80 Texture Units with 2GB of GDDR5 connected via a 256 bit memory interface. Memory speeds are rated at 1,400mhz, or 5.6 Gbps effective. Typical board power is rated to 150W, which is the same as the HD7850 before it. The basic specifications are identical to the R9 270X, with lower core clock speeds differentiating the models.
Its a nice card and I love the DC II cooler, but I think the price is a little high, even with battlefield 4.
ERAN – asus are always more expensive, but they build their cards better
They dont really need the 270 and 270x, just drop the price of the 270x and they could clean up in the market. too many cards right now and its too complicated.
Good performance and at least the shaders are up to 1280 over 1024 on the 7850. Only thing I feel is that AMD partners will sell the 270x at very close to 270 pricing, so not much point in having both. $20 difference? who will buy a 270 – feels like the 6830 and 6850 all over again. the cheaper part never sold as retail prices were so close.