Inside AMD’s Radeon RX 8000 Series: The 18 Gbps GDDR6 Dilemma

Let’s dive into the details of AMD’s upcoming RDNA 4 GPUs, specifically the Radeon RX 8000 series.

According to a recent rumor from leaker @Kepler_L2, these GPUs are expected to utilize 18 Gbps GDDR6 memory across the entire lineup. Here’s what we know:

RDNA 4 Architecture:
- The next-generation AMD Radeon GPU lineup, based on the RDNA 4 architecture, is anticipated to launch by 2024. These GPUs will be powered by a new and advanced process node.
Memory Configuration:
- Contrary to some expectations of a memory spec upgrade, it appears that AMD will stick with the tried-and-true 18 Gbps GDDR6 memory for its RDNA 4 GPUs.
- The following memory configurations are expected across the RDNA 4 GPU SKUs:
  - Radeon RX 8000: 256-bit / 18 Gbps / 576 GB/s
  - Radeon RX 8000: 192-bit / 18 Gbps / 432 GB/s
  - Radeon RX 8000: 128-bit / 18 Gbps / 288 GB/s
- While this might seem disappointing at first, there are reasons behind this choice:
  - Availability: GDDR6 memory has been in mass production for years and is widely available. Newer solutions like GDDR7 might have limited supply initially.
  - Cost-effectiveness: Sticking with existing GDDR6 keeps costs down, making these cards more competitive in their respective segments.
  - Power Draw: Next-gen solutions may consume more power, and AMD is targeting mainstream and low-end segments with the RDNA 4 family.
GPU SKUs:
- The RDNA 4 lineup was initially expected to feature high-end GPU SKUs, but those got canceled and replaced with two SKUs in the mid-tier and low-tier segments: Navi 48 and Navi 44.
- Navi 48: Higher-end SKU with 32 WGP, 48MB of Infinity Cache, and GDDR7 memory.
- Navi 44: Entry-level SKU with 20 WGP, 32MB of Infinity Cache, and GDDR7 memory.

Check out the AMD Radeon RX 7000 Series GPUs Sale on Amazon

In summary, while the choice of 18 Gbps GDDR6 might raise eyebrows, AMD’s rationale seems to be a combination of practicality, cost-effectiveness, and targeting the right market segments. We’ll keep an eye out for official announcements as we approach the RDNA 4 launch! 🚀