AMD Radeon HD 7730 Review | 118 Data compared

The AMD Radeon HD 7730 is a budget-focused graphics card configured with 1GB of GDDR5 memory, a 128-bit interface, an 800 MHz core clock, and a 1125 MHz memory clock. It essentially mirrors the physical layout, display outputs, and clock speeds of the previously discontinued Radeon HD 7750 1GB, heavily implying it uses the same 28nm Cape Verde GPU architecture. Synthetic benchmark testing positions the card squarely in the entry-level tier, delivering 1,680 points in 3DMark Fire Strike, 11,959 in Cloud Gate, and 101,701 in Ice Storm. The primary advantage of this card is its massive performance leap over older entry-level hardware, nearly doubling the benchmark scores of the preceding HD 6670. Furthermore, because the standard HD 7750 retailed at $90 at the time, the HD 7730 offers a highly affordable entry point for budget builders. However, a notable drawback is its overall performance deficit when compared directly to the HD 7750. Additionally, there is a lack of official driver database recognition at launch, alongside regional availability constraints that likely limit its release primarily to the Asian market.

The Powercolor Radeon HD 7730 is an affordable, compact graphics card measuring 165mm in length that features an 800MHz processor, 384 stream processors, and 1GB of GDDR5 memory. A key benefit of this card is its small, single-slot footprint that easily fits into tight PC cases. It offers versatile connectivity for its price bracket, including DVI, HDMI, and DisplayPort outputs, supports Eyefinity multi-monitor mode for desktop use, and includes a handy DVI-to-VGA adapter. Performance-wise, it provides a budget-friendly upgrade that outperforms integrated processor graphics, even besting the built-in chips found on processors like the AMD A10-6800K. However, the card severely struggles with Full HD gaming, failing to achieve smooth framerates at a resolution of 1,920×1,080. During testing, it managed only 23.4fps in Dirt Showdown at 1080p Ultra settings and completely failed to produce playable framerates in Crysis 2 at the same resolution, requiring a drop to a 1,280×720 resolution to achieve smoother gameplay. Ultimately, while it is suitable for PC users on an exceptionally strict budget, the review notes that consumers are better off spending more money on significantly more...

The article preview by Wccftech evaluates early benchmark leaks for the entry-level MSI AMD Radeon HD 7730 graphics card, demonstrating a massive performance leap over older entry-level hardware. Tested clock configurations sit at an 800 MHz core and a 1125 MHz memory speed, running 1 GB of GDDR5 RAM on a 128-bit bus to deliver 72 GB/s bandwidth. Synthetic benchmark data proves it vastly outspeeds the previous-generation Radeon HD 6670 across all tests. For instance, it roughly doubles the performance in 3DMark Vantage (10,746 marks vs 5,366) and nearly doubles output in the 3DMark Firestrike test (1,680 vs 878). The primary pros of this entry-level card include its remarkable performance growth over older hardware, its power efficiency—operating cleanly on PCI-e slot power without needing any dedicated external power connectors—and highly effective cooling that tops out at just 55°C under heavy stress tests. Additionally, MSI packs premium physical hardware onto the card like Solid State Capacitors and Super Ferrite Chokes, alongside flexible visual outputs consisting of DVI-L, HDMI, and DisplayPort. Conversely, the core cons include missing core architecture clarity during its...

Overview and Architecture The AMD Radeon HD 7730 is an entry-level graphics card designed to bring the Graphics Core Next (GCN) architecture down to a sub-$100 budget category. Utilizing a cut-down "Cape Verde LE" GPU, the card features 384 shader cores, 24 texture units, 8 ROPs, and a 128-bit memory interface. Clocked at 800 MHz, it comes in two distinct Sapphire variations: a 1 GB GDDR5 model and a 2 GB DDR3 version. Aside from filling a gap in the budget discrete market, the 7730 is notable for acting as a architectural preview for the efficiency gains expected in AMD's upcoming "Kaveri" APUs. Pros and Cons Pro: Highly efficient architecture that draws less power compared to older VLIW5 counterparts. Pro: Better performance scaling on the GCN architecture when limited to slower DDR3 system memory. Pro: Low 47 W Thermal Design Power (TDP) means it runs entirely off motherboard PCIe slot power without needing external cables. Con: The inclusion of a VGA port replaces a DisplayPort connection, making it impossible to support a multi-screen Eyefinity setup. Con: Does not qualify for...