PowerColor unleashes two brand new dual-gpu 6000 series cards

PowerColor has designed and released two new dual-GPU graphics cards. They are both based of AMD's 6000 series GPU set. The cards will both run on an internal CrossFireX (or Hydra) connection, the HD 6870X2 will be based on a dual "Barts" card and the HD6970X2 will be based on a dual "Cayman" card.

The HD 6870X2

This card has been designed to try and slot in between the performance sectors of the HD 6970 and HD 6990. The card is programmed to run using either AMD CrossFireX or Lucid Hydra between the two GPU's. The card will be cooled using a 92mm and an 80mm fan along with 5 heat pipes and 2 aluminium heat sinks. It would appear from the design that the left processor will run a lot hotter than the right one.
The general specifications of the card are:

• 2240 Stream processors
• 64 ROP's
• 2GB GDDR5
• 256bit memory bus
• 2 X DVI
• 2 X mini display port
• 1 X HDMI
• 4 + 2 Phase VRM
• 2 X 8pin power connections

No specific price has been defined by PowerColor yet but since a single HD 6850 costs between £120-£170 it would be safe to say a ballpark figure of £250 -£300 is realistic.

The HD 6970X2

Designed to be faster than the HD 6990 and the GTX 590 this card should be the faster on the market since unlike the GTX 590 and HD 6990 it is not based on cut down versions of the single GPU's which are then later combined i.e. the GTX 590 is based on two cut down GTX 580 cores.

This card essentially like a HD 6990 except PowerColor have made it so that each core can run at full capacity and maintain the same overclocking headroom per GPU as the HD 6970. The card is cooled with a triple slot, dual fan (120mm and 140mm) and dual heatsink design. Again like the HD 6870X2 the card will be produced to either run the CrossFireX connection between its two GPU's or the Lucid Hydra engine.

The general specifications of the card are:

• 3072 stream processors
• 64 ROPs
• 4GB GDDR5
• 256bit memory bus
• 2 X DVI
• 2 X mini display port
• 1 X HDMI
• 6 +2 Phase VRM
• 3 X 8pin power connections

Again no official words on pricing but expect prices similar to that of the HD 6990 add about 10% because of the extra processing power.