MSI Radeon RX 570 and 580 MECH 2 8G OC review - Introduction

MSI Radeon RX 570 and 580 MECH 2 8G OC
A fresh spin on an aging GPU series

We review not one, but two new graphics cards from MSI today, the Radeon RX 570 and 580 MECH 2 8G OC with 8GB graphics memory. Both two slot cooled mainstream graphics card series will allow you to play your games in both the Full HD 1080P range, as well as gaming in WQHD (2560x1440) range. This release has been delayed quite a bit, originally planned earlier the entire GPP ordeal cascaded the release of a new non gaming series. None the less, MSI has announced a new graphics card series based on the Polaris (called Ellesmere these days) series, the MECH 2 series is fitted with a thermal design offering the Radeon RX 570 and 580 a higher core and memory speeds. The shapes of the MECH series cooler are intensified by a fiery red glow piercing through the cover, while the MSI dragon RGB LED on the top can be set to any of 16.7 million colors to match your mood or build.

The MECH 2 have new completely custom PCB design featuring enhanced power design (8 phases) with Military Class 4 components enables higher stable performance to push your graphics card to the max. A matte black metal backplate shows the MECH 2 cards more structural strength and provides a nice finishing touch.

Today we look at both the RX570 and RX580 MECH 2 OC 8GB. This dual slot cooled mainstream to higher end (read the words well) graphics card series will allow you to play your games in both the Full HD 1080P range as well as gaming in WQHD (2560x1440) range. Yes, that RX 480 580 is the familiar Polaris based (P20), a code-name indicative of the Radeon RX 580 series. AMD also refers to this GPU as Ellesmere. The GPU is the same as the Radeon RX 480, it, however, is fabbed with a more up-to-date 3rd generation 14nm process, let's call it a bit more refined over time. That results in a GPU that can be clocked and boosted a notch faster (compared to the RX 480). As you guys know, both the Radeon RX 570 and 580 graphics card are made available in 4 and 8GB versions, you will also see both reference and tweaked slash customized models from the board partners. The GPU used in the 580 is based on Polaris 20 (XTX). For the RX 570 that would be a Polaris 21, which is based on the same GPU. The Radeon RX 580 has been going strong and still is. It pushes just over 6 TFLOPS of peak performance, 5 TFLOPS for the Radeon RX 570.

Purely looking at the product from a reference baseline point of view, a Radeon RX 570 can boost towards ~1244 MHz whereas the RX 580 clocks in towards ~1340 MHz on that boost frequency.  More MHz means more power and power consumption, coming from 150W the RX 580 hovers at a 180W TDP with its 36 CUs (compute units aka shader clusters) x 64 shader processors per CU = 2304 shader processors). The cards have been available in both 4GB and 8GB versions tied towards 256-bit GDDR5 memory which offers an effective 8 Gbps data-rate. This review is all about the 580 of course, but the Radeon RX 570 is able to boost towards 1244 MHz with an 1168 MHz base clock frequency. This SKU is set at a 150W TDP with its 32 CUs (compute units aka shader clusters) x 64 shader processors per CU = 2048 shader processors). The cards will be available in predominantly 4GB and 8GB versions and have 256-bit GDDR5 memory which offers an effective 7 Gbps / GHz, again I am mentioning the reference metrics. The reference cards also use just one 6-pin power PEG (PCI Express Graphics) header to give the card its power. The reference boards all have a 6-phase VRM power supply design and display output wise includes DisplayPort 1.4 connectors and one HDMI 2.0b. AIB partners may release SKUs with a DVI connector as well, the reference PCB shows SMT traces for a DVI connector. Overall the specs show a very potent card to play the latest games with whilst offering a good memory size versus price in the 1920x1080 and even 2560x1440 monitor resolutions. But now, let's have a peek as to what MSI offers.

MSI Radeon RX570 RX580 Mech 2 OC edition with 8GB GDDR5 memory
 

Right, with the reference data out of the way, let's peek at MSI. In this review we test two MECH 2 series Radeon RX570/RX580 OC samples, the cards are fitted with 8GB of Micron GDDR5 graphics memory and has been factory tweaked for you at 1380 (max boost) MHz straight out of the box for the RX 580 model. A software mode will allow you to bump that upwards a bit more (MSI Gaming APP). The Mech 2 RX 570 will get a boost clock of 1281 MHz. Now I specifically mention the boost clocks here, as in-game the boost clocks are not throttling. What I mention here is what you'll get. The memory clocks  (effective data-rate) are 7 Gbps for the RX 570 and 8 Gbps for the RX 580.

Thanks to a slightly overhauled cooler and the TORX Fans 2.0 they achieve proper cooling performance while further reducing noise levels. Connected to the huge heatsink are 6mm thick copper heat pipes with a squared shape at the bottom for optimal heat transfer from the solid nickel-plated copper baseplate combined with Premium Thermal Compound X to keep the Polaris powerhouse cool. With advanced aerodynamics, the Airflow Control Technology leads more air directly onto the heat pipes of MECH series design. The special deflectors on the heat sink enlarge the surface area, which means lower temperatures and better gaming. Furthermore, MECH series utilizes SuperSU heat pipe design which is the best cooling solution for graphics cards. The GPU is cooled by a massive nickel-plated copper base plate connected to 6mm heat pipes.

Both cards follow a dual slots model design cooler, get an 8-pin power header and have been fitted with a back-plate. Let's start up this review, onwards to the next page if you please.