AMD's upcoming RDNA 5 design could potentially fulfill gamers' top desire: increased Video Random Access Memory (VRAM)
AMD is set to release its next-generation RDNA 5 GPUs, aiming to challenge the current market dominance of Nvidia's RTX series. The upcoming GPUs are expected to feature a range of high-end specifications, targeting both gaming and high-performance computing (HPC) markets.
Flagship Gaming Model: RX 10090 XT
The flagship gaming model, rumoured to be named RX 10090 XT, is expected to have 154 Compute Units (CUs), a significant increase over the RX 9070 XT's 96 CUs. This model is also said to come with 36GB of GDDR7 VRAM, running at 36 Gbps on a 384-bit bus, making it AMD's most powerful GPU to date. The RX 10090 XT is estimated to have a total board power (TBP) of about 380W and is projected to be significantly faster than the current RTX 4080.
High-Performance Computing GPUs
On the HPC side, even larger dies are planned with up to 184 or 200 CUs, and massive VRAM pools of up to 96 GB or 128 GB using PCIe 6.0 and a wider 512-bit memory bus, with power draws potentially reaching 600W. There is also mention of an AI/ML-oriented model with 72 GB VRAM and 184 CUs.
Midrange Gaming GPUs
For more mainstream and midrange gaming variants, GPUs are expected with up to 64 CUs, 12 to 18 GB of GDDR7 VRAM, and improved ray tracing capabilities. These GPUs will likely be used in desktop models and as graphics chiplets in high-performance APUs and next-gen consoles like PlayStation 6 and Xbox. One target price for these midrange models is around $550, aiming to compete with NVIDIA’s RTX 5080 in performance.
Launch Timeline
First-wave RDNA 5 GPUs, specifically the midrange AT2 variants, are anticipated to launch no earlier than April 2027, reflecting a multi-year development cycle given the recent RDNA 4 launches. High-end GPU releases could align similarly or come slightly later due to their complexity and market positioning.
These specifications suggest significant performance and memory capacity jumps over current RDNA 4 GPUs, targeting direct competition with next-gen NVIDIA GPUs like the RTX 6090 and RTX 5080. AMD is reportedly planning to boost VRAM across its upcoming RDNA 5 GPUs, which could potentially force Nvidia to make changes in the market.
However, enthusiasts are concerned that without pressure from AMD on the higher end, Nvidia may not increase VRAM or lower prices. The GPU market has been criticized for stagnant VRAM, with mainstream cards like the RTX 5060 launching with 8GB, which is seen as insufficient for future-proofing. As AMD prepares to release its RDNA 5 GPUs, the focus remains on whether they can deliver the promised performance boost and push the industry towards more competitive VRAM offerings.
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- The manufacturing industry is anticipated to play a significant role in the production of AMD's next-generation RDNA 5 GPUs, as these high-tech gadgets are expected to challenge the current dominance of Nvidia's RTX series in the technology sector.
- The finance industry is keeping a close eye on the sports-betting arena, as the launch of AMD's RDNA 5 GPUs could potentially impact the market by forcing Nvidia to reconsider their pricing strategies.
- In the realm of data-and-cloud-computing and artificial-intelligence, AMD's upcoming GPUs show promise, with the HPC models featuring massive VRAM pools and wider memory buses, targeting high-performance computing and possibly boosting the performance of AI/ML applications.
- The sports industry may be indirectly affected by the RDNA 5 GPU release, as increased competition in the tech sector could lead to advancements in sports-betting technology, providing fans with enhanced gaming experiences.
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