AMD will soon release a software update for its existing Radeon HD 7950 graphics cards, which will raise the base GPU's frequency from 800 MHz to 850 MHz.

Unlike the 7970GE, AMD won't be introducing this supercharged 7950 as a product separate from the existing 7950, but rather the upgraded 7950 will become the new 7950.

Since the new card will be quietly replacing the existing 7950, it will be doing so at the same prices as the existing 7950. This means the new 7950 cards should hit the market at between $300 and $350, depending on the partner and whether it?s factory overclocked or not.

The BIOS also introduces the PowerTune with boost feature, which acts in a similar manner to NVIDIA's GPU Boost technology. When applications demand that extra edge, the clock speed can go even higher than 850 MHz, to 925 MHz.

Though the new logic won't match the frequency of NVIDIA's GTX 660 Ti, it will reduce the difference to more acceptable levels.

PowerColor, HIS, and Sapphire are all expected to have cards available by the end of the week.