Enjoyment and proficiency in playing your favorite video games require the right processor. You could buy the most expensive graphics card, spending thousands, but it’s not necessary to achieve exceptional performance with a noticeable difference when upgrading your device. The AMD Radeon R9 Fury X is a high-end graphics card for gaming that won’t break the bank, but it will enhance your video gaming experience. This article will take an in depth look at the graphics card to find out if it is right for you.
What is the AMD Radeon R9 Fury X?
Many video game enthusiasts have invested in this AMD Radeon R9 graphics card since its release by AMD on June 24, 2015. The device is built on the 28 Nm process that’s been around for over seven years. Gamers and experts attest to its worth as a high-end card that’s stood the test of time, delivering exceptional graphics quality and compatibility with most of the latest games.
It’s a variant of the Fiji XT C8, supporting DirectX 12. The pioneering technology launched as the “fastest single-chip GPU on the market,” with cutting-edge video graphics technology, lightning- fast memory, and direct connection to the core. The result was enhanced efficiency of power and higher performance as an upgrade for your devices. It remains a top choice in the market today, comparable to the Nvidia GeForce GTX980 Ti but far less expensive than the $2,400 unit with similar performance.
AMD Radeon R9 Fury X Function
The AMD Radeon R9 Fury X enhances the visuals of your games for maximum enjoyment of video gameplay. The GPU delivers compute performance in a compact unit complete with a bundled fan and radiator for liquid cooling. The cooling system preserves the integrity of the card to prevent overheating, maximizing life and performance. It runs cool and quietly without noise interference, delivering visuals compatible with high settings and 4K technology.
It runs games featuring a 1080p stable frame rate and and to the DirectX 12 requirement. The AMD Radeon R9 Fury X provides visual option adjustments from within the game to identify the best visual performance at 1440p, for video games that present issues on the initial settings and 4K resolutions.
AMD Radeon R9 Fury X Technical Specification
- Stream Processors/Shading Units: 4,096
- Transistors: 8.9 billion
- Max Clock: 1,050MHz
- Texture Units: 256
- ROPS: 64
- Process: 28 nm
- Memory Clock: 100 MHz
- Bandwidth: 512 GB/s
- Max TFLOPs: 8.6
- Die Size: 596mm2
- TDP: 275 W
- Memory: 4 GB HBM
- Display Outputs: 1 x HDMI 1.4a, 3x DisplayPort 1.2
- Interface: PCI-Express 3.0 x 16
- Dimensions: 195 mm x 115 mm x 39 mm.
- Dual-slot Liquid Cooling System
AMD Radeon R9 Fury X Performance
The Radeon R9 Fury X’s computing performance is ensured at 8.6 teraflops. It has AMD’s GCN architecture-based third generation of GPU technology with double the stream processors of its previous model with Fiji graphics. Video representations are enhanced by the 4,096 shading units with 64 ROPs, 8.9 billion transistors and 256 mapping units. The dual-slot device is powered via 2×8-pin power connectors with a maximum power draw of 375 watts. The 4,096 bit memory interface connects the 4 GB HBM memory with the Radeon R9 Fury X GPU, with 500 MHZ of the 1050 MHz running.
Cooling is maximized with the uniquely designed radiator. It’s case mounted for direct pushing of heat to the outer part of the chassis. It also provides support through AMD Eyefinity technology for up to six displays including one HDMI, and three of the DisplayPorts supported.
AMD Radeon R9 Fury X Memory Processor
The processor is equipped with 4 GB of onboard High Bandwidth RAM (HBM). It is lightning-fast and exceptionally wide, taking performance to high levels. The DRAM dies are stacked on top of one another and connected via silicon micro bumps. This technology reduces the board space necessary by 94% over standard GDDR5 memory. The memory is clocked at 1 GB per second, traveling over the 4,096-bit bus for delivery of 512 GB per second. This is more effective than the more expensive GTX 980 TI, which is a mere 336.5 GB per second. The memory processor is also compatible with 4K gaming, thanks to the efficient memory bandwidth delivery system design.
How to install the AMD Radeon R9 Fury X
Preparation:
Before the purchase and installation of the AMD Radeon R9 Fury X, check your system requirements to ensure compatibility. Upon receipt of your card, inspect it for damage or missing parts to make certain it’s in pristine condition before installation. Review the following instructions in their entirety before you start the installation process, taking all recommended safety measures while handling the liquid-cooled processor. Visually inspect the closed-loop device with its radiator, fan, and pair of tubes. The liquid cooling system is maintenance-free upon installation, but you must handle it carefully during the installation process to avoid damage. Make sure to abide by the following guidance when installing the device:
Avoid any motions or actions that cause twisting, kinking, and any other damage to the tubes.
Do not allow the tubes to hang downwards as the pulling motion could cause damage.
Do not take the tubes out of the radiator or the card.
The tubes must stay intact and must not be modified.
Do not unplug the fan or change its location.
Avoid touching the radiator assembly or fan while the graphics card is running.
Always support the weight of the radiator assembly to prevent damage.
System Requirements (Before installation)
The minimum system requirements for AMD Radeon R9 Fury X Graphics Card include:
- PCI Express-based PC
- Minimum of one x 16 lane graphics slot on the motherboard
- For Dual card installation, space for an empty slot in between the two cards on the motherboard.
- 2×8-pin PCI power connectors (system power supply) for each card installed. AMD does not recommend the use of Dongles or adapters. Visit AMDs website to obtain a list of compatible power supplies.
- Space in system case for 120mm x 120mm screwed-in chassis fan with room for airflow to cool system components. Increase space by two if installing dual cards.
- 8 GB system memory for a single card, and at least 16 GB system memory for dual installation.
- Operating System: Windows 7, 8.1, or Linux with 64-bit OS is strongly recommended by the manufacturer.
- Minimum of one display with DisplayPort or HDMI connection compatibility
- CD-Rom drive or internet connection, display, keyboard, and mouse for software installation.
Note* Record the serial and part number before installing the graphics card for product registration and technical support. You’ll find these on the back of the device in bold print.
Installation Steps:
Step 1
Uninstall the graphics driver and software of the old card. You may wish to disable any onboard graphics solutions if you don’t plan to use them again.
Step 2
Turn your computer system off and disconnect the power source.
Step 3
Remove old graphics cards (if any others exist).
Step 4
Install your new graphics card(s) and radiator assembly/assemblies, handling them carefully and in the appropriate slot(s). Keep tubes and cables safely out of the way. Press the graphics card into the available slot firmly until you feel it become seated securely in the new location.
Step 5
Fasten the graphics card to the back panel securely.
Step 6
Mount the radiator assembly at the back of the chassis in the space previously identified. Avoid areas above the power supply in the event of coolant leakage. Mount to the side of the chassis with tubes exiting from the bottom portion of the radiator. Do not allow the radiator assembly to rest outside of the case at any time. Maintain the original placement of the fan on the radiator and do not manipulate this component. Align the assembly to cause air to exhaust to the outside of the system. It should show through the open grills of your computer case.
Inspect the tubes visually to check for signs of damage or leaking from the installation process. If there is any leaking, the system must be turned off and unplugged, then allowed to dry. Use gloves when handling the liquid cooling solution if necessary. Dry the system completely before turning it on again. Tighten the screws that come with the graphics card when mounting to the radiator assembly in an X pattern from the left top to the bottom right, then from the right top to the bottom left.
Step 7
If supplementary power is required, locate the proper power connector cables and connect them to the supplementary power connectors on the graphics card(s). Ensure that all internal cables are in order before proceeding to the next step.
Step 8
Reassemble your computer system and the associated display or displays.
Step 9
Connect the power source and start your computer system.
Step 10
Install the AMD Catalyst drivers and configuration software.
Step 11
Restart your computer system to ensure that changes take effect.
If you are struggling with the installtion, watch the following video from the AMD website titled “How to Install Your AMD Radeon™ Graphics Card“.
Where to buy the AMD Radeon R9 Fury X?
It can be sometimes quite difficult to source the right graphics card from online stores. You can sometimes find a used version on an eBay auction for a cheaper price, but buying a new device is recommended. New AMD Radeon R9 Fury X graphics cards are available to buy on Amazon.com. Simply search for AMD Radeon R9 Fury X graphics card and you will see a number of options available for you to buy.
AMD Radeon R9 Fury X Reviews
Customers who purchased the AMD Radeon R9 Fury X give it a cumulative rating of 4.1 out of a possible 5 stars. 56% rated it as a perfect 5 stars with 23% giving it 4 stars and 21%, 2 stars.
Pros
- A top contender for high-end gaming graphics cards.
- An upgrade from the 290X.
- New technology with great future potential.
- Card stays cool and silent under load for most users.
- Good buy for the performance.
Cons
- Some issues while gaming at high fps. (Overclocking the card a few percent solves the problem)
- A few users reported whining at the coils as a minor annoyance.
- Hard to find in stock from vendors.
Final Verdict
The AMD Radeon R9 Fury X gets high marks from consumers and gaming experts as a high-end card that delivers premium graphics suitable for most modern games. It comes close to the performance of the more expensive Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 Ti, but for a far lower cost.
It’s an affordable high-end card for gamers that comes with the additional benefits of its quiet form factor in a compact size and a small radiator. It has the potential for 4K gaming, although overclocking is recommended by some users, unlike some other processors, you can overclock successfully to achieve the visuals you require. Liquid cooling keeps the unit running cooler to extend its life and enhance performance during extreme play.
The pioneering technologies are solid, while there are some limitations to the 4 GB of memory. It’s not the ultimate graphics processor choice for HD TV and 4K gaming, but it can be tweaked to do the job. If your system permits, you can install a second card to further enhance the benefits.
Overall, the AMD Radeon R9 Fury X improves graphics for smoother and aesthetically pleasing gaming for most games on the market today. A small percentage of the larger and more complex games may not work well with the graphics card, but most will run with very satisfying results.
