AMD’s RDNA 4 GPUs sound like they’re going to actually shake up the graphics card market after they arrive – the difficulty is that Group Purple could not wish to make these waves this yr.
We’ve simply caught a video full of recent rumors and theorizing on AMD’s next-gen graphics playing cards from Moore’s Regulation is Useless (MLID), although we must always observe that a lot of the spec information dropped has already been talked about by the YouTube leaker.
As a fast recap, although, the hypothesis (from MLID, and elsewhere too) is that for RDNA 4, AMD will prime out on the mid-range, and can have Navi 48 and Navi 44 chips. So there received’t be any higher-end GPUs this time spherical (like the present RX 7900 XTX flagship from RDNA 3).
The brand new spec information MLID imparts right here is that with these RDNA 4 GPUs we are able to anticipate enhance clocks of round 3GHz to three.3GHz, and that on the reminiscence entrance, we received’t get GDDR7 – AMD will seemingly use 20Gbps GDDR6 for these next-gen graphics playing cards.
The extra telling efficiency prediction is how these GPUs will form up versus Nvidia’s present Lovelace line-up and AMD’s personal current-gen choices. We’re informed that the beefier Navi 48 affair needs to be someplace between the efficiency of the 7900 XT and the 7900 XTX, most definitely, for rasterization that’s (non-ray tracing body charges).
Which means this GPU needs to be the equal of the outgoing Nvidia RTX 4080, or best-case state of affairs, it might be a rival for the RTX 4080 Tremendous (add loads of seasoning with this, in fact).
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With the lower-end Navi 44 graphics card we’re efficiency between an RX 7600 XT and 7800 XT (once more for rasterization), so we are able to roughly anticipate the equal of a 7700 XT, plus or minus 10% or so (or an RTX 4060 Ti killer, as MLID places it).
If all this sounds a bit disappointing, the true key right here will, in fact, be the worth proposition. AMD goes to make the value/efficiency ratio extra compelling – that is the central concept with RDNA 4 – and we are able to anticipate some temptingly priced GPUs with a terrific shot at getting onto our record of the finest graphics playing cards.
In actual fact, MLID contends that the worst-case state of affairs is that AMD’s Navi 48 providing will present the efficiency of an RTX 4070 Ti Tremendous for a number of hundred {dollars} lower than what Nvidia fees for this new GPU. As talked about, the best-case state of affairs is likely to be an RTX 4080 Tremendous equal, theoretically at one thing like half the value.
The probability, although, is someplace in between, however the lengthy and wanting it’s that these RDNA 4 graphics playing cards are set to actually punch above their weight by way of worth for cash on the mid-range. MLID sums it up as a 30% enhance in value/efficiency throughout the board for AMD’s subsequent gen GPUs.
Word that we’re speaking purely about rasterization efficiency right here, and MLID doesn’t have any specifics with ray tracing chops. MLID says we are able to anticipate some enchancment on RDNA 3 with ray tracing – clearly that have to be the case – however AMD received’t be matching Nvidia but. It received’t be till RDNA 5 that Group Purple actually pushes onerous with ray tracing, apparently.
Nonetheless, what is likely to be the true disappointment right here is that we might be in for an extended wait than anticipated for these next-gen GPUs from AMD. Let’s chew over {that a} bit extra within the subsequent part.
Evaluation: Neglect that rumored 2024 launch?
MLID has tapped a few of his finest sources for RDNA 4 launch date information, and people insiders have totally different tales to inform in lots of respects. One supply says progress with driver growth goes very effectively, and to anticipate a Q3 2024 launch, as has been beforehand rumored.
The opposite sources point out that it’s attainable AMD may launch RDNA 4 this yr, possibly in Q3, or maybe This autumn, however that Group Purple would possibly maintain off till the beginning of 2025. Why? Due to two predominant causes…
Firstly, Nvidia supposedly solely has the RTX 5090 coming late in 2024, and no different Blackwell graphics playing cards till 2025. So there’ll be no rival for Navi 48 till subsequent yr, and no want to reply to the 5090, which will likely be effectively out of RDNA 4’s league.
The opposite purpose is that AMD’s current-gen RDNA 3 graphics playing cards are promoting effectively, and pushing out RDNA 4 this yr may cannabilize these gross sales. So, if AMD can get extra mileage out of gross sales of RX 7900, 7800 and 7700 collection graphics playing cards, why wouldn’t it, with no strain coming from Nvidia?
So long as RDNA 3 gross sales proceed to be robust for AMD going into the center of this yr and past – and value cuts seem like sustaining unit-shifting momentum properly – we are able to’t see any purpose why Group Purple wouldn’t desire to maintain RDNA 4 within the wings, given the general state of the GPU market, and Nvidia’s seemingly launch timings.
That is simply theorizing, thoughts, and AMD should go along with a later in 2024 launch – particularly if Nvidia’s launch plans are switched up, or the steadiness of GPU energy shifts in different methods. However from the image that’s at present being painted, we’re considering extra This autumn than Q3 at this level, if RDNA 4 does flip up this yr, and it could not, studying between the strains…