AMD RDNA 4: Everything we all know in regards to the RX 8000 sequence
AMD’s RDNA 4 graphics playing cards (additionally known as the Radeon RX 8000 sequence) are already on the horizon, however they’re nonetheless a little bit of a thriller. Fortunately, whereas AMD remains to be holding quiet about its next-gen GPUs, varied leakers break up that silence with loads of rumors and tantalizing hypothesis.
Most seemingly set to launch this 12 months, RDNA 4 GPUs could give Nvidia a run for its cash, however will they be capable to compete towards among the best graphics cards from the upcoming RTX 50-series? This is likely one of the few issues that leakers all agree on, and we’ll let you know all about it in our full roundup of RDNA 4 information under.
RDNA 4: Specs
| AMD RDNA 4 | |
| Process node | TSMC N4P |
| Architecture | RDNA 4 |
| Chip | Navi 48, Navi 44 |
| Memory kind | GDDR6 |
| Maximum bus width | 256-bit |
| Maximum clock pace | 3GHz-3.3GHz |
Everything we all know to date in regards to the specs of AMD’s RDNA 4 comes from leaks. Some of the data overlaps amongst varied sources, however on the subject of the specs, a lot of the intel comes from Tom of Moore’s Law Is Dead on YouTube. So far, the YouTuber predicts that AMD will solely launch RDNA 4 in two configurations: Navi 48 and Navi 44.
The one factor that the majority sources are clear on and have been speaking about for months is that AMD’s next-gen GPUs won’t have the specs needed to match Nvidia’s high-end GPUs, just like the RTX 5090. AMD is aiming on the midrange sector, which is clear within the rumored specs for each chips.
Navi4 lineup is not going to have any high-end GPUs
Think of it like RDNA1 or Polaris era.
— Kepler (@Kepler_L2) August 4, 2023
According to Moore’s Law Is Dead, the Navi 48 can be AMD’s flagship for this era, and it’ll probably be present in an RX 8800 XT GPU. Initial estimates pin this GPU as having a 256-bit interface, with GDDR6 reminiscence clocked at 20Gbps. It’s additionally potential that it would include a 192-bit bus, as has been talked about by some leakers. The Navi 44 GPU is rumored to sport a 128-bit reminiscence bus and a considerably smaller die.
The selection to make use of GDDR6 as an alternative of GDDR7 could seem stunning, seeing as Nvidia’s next-gen GPUs are mentioned to be utilizing the sooner and newer GDDR7 normal. Moore’s Law Is Dead speculates that AMD could have initially deliberate to make use of GDDR7 reminiscence within the — now reportedly canceled — high-end portion of the lineup, which is known as Navi 41 (or Navi 4C and Navi 4X) and Navi 42. The Navi 41 would’ve been the successor to the RX 7900 XTX if it turned a actuality. However, the midrange to entry-level playing cards are all mentioned to sport GDDR6 reminiscence.
Only 18Gbps 🤔
— Kepler (@Kepler_L2) April 23, 2024
In truth, latest reviews from Kepler_L2 and Tom’s Hardware point out that AMD could not solely follow GDDR6 modules but it surely may additionally stifle bandwidth and use 18Gbps modules as an alternative of the sooner 20Gbps variations we’ve seen in RDNA 3 flagships. Even the RX 7800 XT makes use of 19.5Gbps modules, so this might be a downgrade. It’s vital to method this with some skepticism, although.
Initial, extremely optimistic estimates mentioned that RDNA 4 would possibly attain 3.5GHz, however these predictions have now been adjusted to a extra cheap 3GHz to three.3GHz on overclocked fashions made by AMD’s companions. Even then, it is a huge recreation clock improve over the RX 7900 XTX, which has a frequency of two.3GHz.
A couple of months in the past, Moore’s Law Is Dead spoke a few potential Navi 43 GPU, which can be now not being talked about. As per the rumor, the Navi 43 was mentioned to sport 64 compute models (CUs), with the Navi 44 having 32 CUs. However, even the supply of the leak warned that these specs have been unsure.
The newest spec replace comes from RedGamingTech, who speculates that the Navi 48 GPU will include 32 work group processors (WGPs), 64MB of Infinity Cache, and a 256-bit reminiscence bus. Meanwhile, the Navi 44 GPU is claimed to be considerably lower down, sporting 16 WGPs, a 32MB Infinity Cache, and a really slim 128-bit reminiscence bus.
The remainder of the specs are nonetheless unknown at this stage; there’s been no point out of the variety of AI accelerators, ray tracing accelerators, and even the quantity of VRAM. We’ll have to attend till we get nearer to the discharge date.
RDNA 4: Pricing and launch date
Out of all of the GPUs that might come out this year, AMD’s RDNA 4 is the more than likely to truly hit the cabinets in 2024. Even then, there’s nonetheless loads of uncertainty, and the rumored launch dates span three completely different quarters.
Most leakers level to a launch within the second half of 2024. One supply quoted by Moore’s Law Is Dead claims that RDNA 4 can be able to launch within the fourth quarter, however there’s a slim likelihood it could possibly be launched somewhat sooner. It’s additionally potential that it is perhaps delayed till the primary quarter of 2025.
Another supply mentioned that the motive force growth goes properly and that RDNA 4 is already forward of the place RDNA 2 was at across the similar time in 2022. This leaker claims that AMD would possibly tease RDNA 4 throughout Computex in June after which launch it within the third quarter.
Based on the quotes, plainly AMD could also be in no rush to launch RDNA 4 as quickly as potential. Nvidia’s RTX 50-series might not be a lot of a risk, provided that Team Green is more likely to open with the RTX 5090, which isn’t AMD’s goal market this time round — though new leaks point out that the RTX 5080 may come first. With that mentioned, we’re more likely to see a few desktop GPUs first after which a laptop computer launch afterward — assuming they’re easier to get in the next generation than in this current one.
Although AMD could not win in efficiency, leakers speculate that it would undertake an aggressive pricing technique this time round, beating Nvidia when it comes to worth. Rumor has it that the Navi 44 GPU would possibly promote for underneath $400, whereas the flagship Navi 48 (RX 8800 XT?) could possibly be priced round $500. That’s a extremely aggressive value level that labored out swimmingly for AMD with the RX 7800 XT, so this is sensible, however every part remains to be unsure. We would possibly see as a lot as a 30% enchancment when it comes to value to efficiency.
RDNA 4: Architecture
Navi 44 and Navi 48 are reportedly constructed on TSMC’s N4P course of, which, as Moore’s Law Is Dead notes, can be single-digits higher than the node present in Nvidia’s Ada Lovelace GPUs. Navi 48 has an estimated die measurement of 300 to 350 mm², whereas Navi 44 is lots smaller at under 210mm², which is near the identical measurement because the die inside Nvidia’s RTX 4060 Ti.
The naming scheme for these chips is a departure from earlier generations. Usually, AMD’s flagship chip was additionally the one with the bottom quantity, reminiscent of Navi 31 in RDNA 3. This time, we’re getting the Navi 44 because the lower-end GPU and the Navi 48 as the highest graphics chip. Given the remainder of the rumors, this type of tracks — AMD is claimed to call its chips based mostly on the order of growth, so if it canceled the preliminary Navi 41 chip, the Navi 48 could have began growth later.
When it involves structure, each Moore’s Law Is Dead and RedGamingTech on YouTube say that we’re taking a look at a monolithic die. It seems that we might have had MCM in RX 8000 sequence GPUs if not for the truth that the high-end variants have been reportedly canceled, so the structure could not reappear till RDNA 5.
However, we’d nonetheless see some architectural enhancements in RDNA 4. Hardware leakers have been vocal about the truth that AMD needs to enhance the ray tracing efficiency of its GPUs, and RedGamingTech speculates that we’d see changes to the geometry engine. Other sources additionally point out AMD’s drive to raised compete in AI workflows and ray tracing.
RDNA 4: Performance
It appears that AMD gained’t beat its personal high GPU (Navi 31) this time round. The RX 7900 XTX is claimed to retain the lead in pure rasterization, however the brand new GPUs ought to enhance ray tracing and have higher costs.
Comparing the flagship RDNA 4 card to the remainder of the competitors tells a unique story. Most sources estimate that the rumored RX 8800 XT must be near the RX 7900 XT in efficiency. Moore’s Law Is Dead says that it’ll be round 10% slower than the RX 7900 XTX, placing it near Navi 31 and Nvidia’s RTX 4080. It ought to outperform the RTX 4070 Ti Super by a small margin, and RedGamingTech predicts that it’ll be barely sooner than the latest RX 7900 GRE.
No, N31 will stay the flagship till RDNA5.
— Kepler (@Kepler_L2) August 5, 2023
The most optimistic final result was that the Navi 48 GPU would be capable to beat Nvidia’s RTX 4080 Super for round half the value, but it surely’s too early to get too excited. That will surely be an enormous feat for AMD to realize and a good way to beat Nvidia in 2024. Even if AMD can’t fairly hit these numbers and solely outperforms the RTX 4070 Ti Super, however costs the GPU at round $500, that might nonetheless be a terrific deal.
Meanwhile, the Navi 44 die (which might find yourself in an RX 8700 XT) is claimed to supply comparable efficiency to AMD’s RX 7700 XT, however at a diminished value. Some sources pin it as an enchancment over the RX 7600 XT, however a downgrade in comparison with the RX 7800 XT. Right now, it’s unclear whether or not AMD will launch extra entry-level GPUs on this era.
Yes
— Kepler (@Kepler_L2) May 2, 2024
Recently, Kepler_L2 answered a query on Twitter and as soon as once more confirmed the suspicion that AMD could not have a solution to Nvidia’s rumored RTX 5080 and RTX 5090. It appears that AMD will keep in its personal lane this time round and gained’t have direct next-gen competitors from Nvidia till the launch of midrange playing cards just like the RTX 5060 and the RTX 5070.
RDNA 4: Ray tracing
Ray tracing is one space the place Nvidia maintains a notable lead over AMD. This is now not a common fact the best way it was in generations previous, but it surely’s nonetheless true. A comparable Nvidia GPU can often be counted on to outperform AMD when ray tracing is enabled, though the hole is wider in some video games.
Improving ray tracing efficiency is one thing that loads of leakers stress the significance of in RX 8000 sequence graphics playing cards. RedGamingTech claims that we’re taking a look at a lift of 10% to 30%, which is a variety, but it surely’s nonetheless early days. However, Moore’s Law Is Dead says that his sources aren’t satisfied that AMD will be capable to beat Nvidia in ray tracing in RDNA 4 but — the aim is to beat RDNA 3, with an uplift in ray tracing efficiency per compute unit.
While rumor has it that RDNA 4 will nonetheless be a hair slower than Nvidia in these workloads, it ought to supply a marked enchancment over the earlier era. The Navi 31 GPU is claimed to outperform the Navi 48 in pure rasterization, however it could fall behind in ray tracing.
In a latest video, RedGamingTech spoke about one thing akin to a whole redesign when it comes to ray tracing. The YouTuber speculates (based mostly on Twitter sources, thoughts you) that RDNA 4 would possibly include new work group processors (WGPs). For ray tracing, a few of RedGamingTech’s sources declare that AMD is adopting a “much more Nvidia-like approach.”
RDNA3 RT was based mostly on RDNA2 with some enhancements. RDNA4 RT appears to be like utterly completely different.
— Kepler (@Kepler_L2) April 30, 2024
Frequent GPU leaker Kepler_L2 on X (previously Twitter) agrees with RedGamingTech right here, stating that we’ll be seeing an entirely redesigned ray tracing structure in RDNA 4 — whereas what we noticed in RDNA 3 was based mostly on AMD’s preliminary try in RDNA 2. This would possibly imply that the brand new AMD flagship could also be worse than the RX 7900 XTX in pure rasterization, however would outperform it in ray tracing workflows.
All of the above remains to be pure hypothesis, and the rumors about this era have been shockingly scarce. We’ll need to be affected person and preserve our eyes peeled for extra leaks as we get nearer to the discharge date.
