AMD’s first 40nm graphics circuit RV740 is highly capable GPU that we have had pleasant experiences with. Beside good performance, the circuit is very small, thanks to the efficient manufacturing process. This has made many wondering if AMD would be interested in launching a dual-GPU card with RV740, a.k.a. Radeon HD 4770 X2. AMD has officially commented and said that the concept is a great idea, but it’s up to AMD partners to launch such a card.
In other words, AMD is leaving the door wide open for Radeon HD 4770 X2 graphics cards and with a simpler 128-bit memory bus and its tiny physics it shouldn’t be all that expensive to make.
Sapphire is the only company to launch Radeon HD 4850 X2, which requires a more complex design than two connected RV740 circuits would.
Whether it is time for AMD partners to invest in a dual-GPU version of Radeon HD 4770 is harder to answer. It’s nearly impossible to get a hold of 40nm circuits from TSMC and using two on the same card would quickly turn into a job stretching into eternity. And, the next generation graphics circuits with DX11 support is around the corner.
Considering all this it doesn’t feel like Radeon HD 4770 X2 will come alive, but since, among others, Sapphire has lots of experience from similar projects it would be a nice PR stunt at least.
Otherwise we don’t mind them holding off and perhaps going for an equivalent model using dual DX11 circuits instead, not just for the top segment but also the mid-range.
Sapphire Radeon HD 4850 X2
