GPU is still based on the current first generation GCN architecture and developed in TSMC 28 nanometer production process. Official specifications listed 896 stream processors, 56 texture units and 16 ROPs, 128 bit memory bus width, and raw performance of 1.79 teraflops. Reference GPU frequency is equivalent to 1 GHz, while standard gigabyte of GDDR5 memory is running at 6 GHz effective and with a 128 bit memory bus, achieves throughput of 96 GB/s. There is 85 W TDP and support for ZeroCore Power technology and consumption of less than 3 W.

AMD with this chip introduced some modifications in the PowerTune automatic overclocking technology with eight states and DPM modes and switching speeds between them of 10 ms. Most hardware manufacturers have not sticked to the reference design but they opted to unveil their own editions of Radeon HD 7790 with a better cooling system, and often factory-raised working clocks. All cards, at least for now, have a standard 1 GB of GDDR5 memory.

According to initial tests, the performance of the new cards on average are slightly larger than those on competing GeForce GTX 650 Ti, and compared to AMD's offer is as expected between 7770 and 7850 models, though closer to the performance of the weaker card. As for the price, they amount to $149 for a card based on the reference design, while the factory-modified versions of something more expensive - for example Asus seeks $155 and Sapphire $160 for their release of a new Radeon.

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