Skip to main content

AMD’s new dual-GPU card is here, but it’s not built for gamers

amds 1500 radeon pro duo gpu is for vr content creators rather than consumers version 1458062480 img 3500
Digital Trends / Gabe Carey

Update 4/26 6:00 AM: AMD confirmed the Radeon Pro Duo’s $1,500 price tag, at the same time announcing its availability from AMD product partners.

AMD had revealed that with its latest round of Fiji-based GPUs, it’s now aiming to focus not only on VR content consumers, but on its creators as well. Apparently, this starts with the massive Radeon Duo Pro, which was expected to launch by the end of last year, though the company delayed it to release around the same time as the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive.

Essentially, AMD’s Radeon Pro Duo is the GPU equivalent of two children on each other’s shoulders wearing a trench coat — except instead of children, they’re two Radeon R9 Fury X GPUs housed in a larger enclosure. Individually, each GPU boasts 4,096 stream processor, 256 texture units, and 64 ROPs, along with 4GB of HBM (each) on a 4,096-bit bus. The clock speed will be up to 1GHz. Performance-wise, we’re looking at 16.38 TFLOPS. That’s four times more than a PlayStation 4.

On the downside of having such a powerful card, however, is the Radeon Pro Duo demands a massive 8-pin PCI-E power connector, which is needed to meet the board power requirement of 350 watts (that’s just for the card — not for an entire system).

In terms of physical build, the Radeon Duo Pro takes advantage of a closed loop liquid cooling system featuring a 120mm radiator. The company states that “there is more than sufficient cooling for maximum performance, all while staying quiet.”

The Radeon Pro Duo will be the first product in AMD’s VR Ready Creator lineup. By marrying it with its LiquidVR SDK solution, AMD appears to be devising a sort of ecosystem to keep creators tied to both its hardware and its software in their VR game/app development pursuits.

AMD’s Radeon Pro Duo GPU is now available from AMD add in board partners and system integrator. AMD confirmed the $1,500 price tag in a statement today, which also included details of the release.

Editors' Recommendations

Gabe Carey
Former Digital Trends Contributor
A freelancer for Digital Trends, Gabe Carey has been covering the intersection of video games and technology since he was 16…
Best laptop deals: Save on HP, Lenovo, Dell and Apple
Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 playing Cyberpunk 2077.

Is it time to buy a new laptop? Then you've come to the right place, as we've gathered some of the best laptop deals that you can shop today. We've picked laptops for different budgets and needs, ranging from low-priced devices to high-end machines, including Chromebook deals, gaming laptop deals, and MacBook deals. You're going to have to hurry with your purchase if any of these offers catch your eye though, because we're not sure how much time you've got left to take advantage of them.
HP Stream 14 -- $179, was $209

If you just need a laptop to deal with basic functions like typing documents, doing online research, and watching streaming content, you can't go wrong with the HP Stream 14. It's equipped with the Intel Celeron N4020 processor, integrated Intel UHD Graphics 600, and 4GB of RAM, which are enough for simple tasks. The laptop also features a 14-inch HD screen, a battery life of up to 11.5 hours, and a 64GB eMMC with Windows 11 Home in S Mode pre-loaded. It even comes with a one-year subscription to Microsoft 365.

Read more
Best 2-in-1 laptop deals: Turn your laptop into a tablet for $198
Lenovo Yoga 9i 14 Gen 7 laptop sits on a small desk folded like a tent.

There are laptops, and then there are 2-in-1-laptops that offer you the best of both worlds. What worlds? You can seamlessly swap between a tablet-style device, by flipping the keyboard behind the display, or when you need it, instantly swap back to a traditional laptop with keyboard. It will completely evolve your productivity, if you've never used one before. The thing is, because of the extra functionality they offer, a 2-in-1-laptop can be expensive. But you’re in luck, as some of the best laptop deals currently taking place are discounts on 2-in-1 laptops. Many of the best laptop brands are currently seeing 2-in-1 models discounted, including the likes of HP, Lenovo, and Dell. We’ve tracked down all of the best 2-in-1 laptop deals taking place right now, so read onward for more details on what might make the best deal for you.
Asus CM3200 Chromebook — $198, was $229

While the best laptops often focus on delivering as much power as they can into their footprint, the best Chromebooks tend to focus on simplicity and delivering just the things more entry-level users need. This is true with the Asus CM3200 Chromebook, which comes in at under $200. This price point gets you quite a bit, including an HD touchscreen display, an 8-core processor, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of internal storage space. This is generally plenty for base users like students, or professionals whose work doesn’t go much further beyond word processors, spreadsheets, and browsing the web.

Read more
Dell XPS 13 and Dell XPS Desktop are both discounted right now
The Dell XPS 13, open on a table in front of a window.

If you're having trouble choosing between buying a new laptop or desktop computer, the good news is that you can enjoy significant savings if you purchase either one from the available Dell XPS deals. Here are two offers that you should consider -- the Dell XPS 13 for just $599, following a $200 discount on its original price of $799, and the Dell XPS Desktop for $1,150, after a $330 discount on its sticker price of $1,480. If you're interested in taking advantage of one of these bargains, you're going to have to hurry because they may disappear sooner than you think.
Dell XPS 13 -- $599, was $799

If you want your next computer to be portable, then the Dell XPS 13 is a fine choice. It's included in our roundup of the best laptops as the top Windows laptop, as it offers amazing value for its price. It's capable of keeping up with your daily activities with its 12th-generation Intel Core i5 processor, integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics, and 8GB of RAM, and you've got plenty of storage in its 256GB SSD that ships with Windows 11 Home pre-loaded. The Dell XPS 13 is also easy on the eyes, not just because of it's stylish design but also due to its 13.4-inch screen with Full HD+ resolution.

Read more