AMD Reportedly Cancels Plans for Budget RX 7400 and 7300 GPUs
Recent reports suggest AMD may have abandoned plans to release entry-level RDNA 3 graphics cards, specifically the rumored Radeon RX 7400 and RX 7300 models. This news comes as a disappointment to budget-conscious gamers hoping for more affordable options in the current GPU market.
Key Points:
- AMD appears to have canceled or put on hold development of RX 7400 and RX 7300 GPUs
- No AIB (Add-In Board) partners currently have these cards on their development lists
- Focus seems to be shifting to the upcoming RX 8000 series based on RDNA 4 architecture
According to a report from Benchlife, AMD's add-in board partners are not actively working on new budget cards based on the current RDNA 3 GPU architecture. This indicates that the previously rumored RX 7400 and RX 7300, which were expected to be based on the Navi 33 die, may not come to fruition – at least not in the consumer gaming market.
The absence of these budget options leaves a gap in AMD's lineup, with the current RX 7600 remaining the most affordable option at around $250. Many enthusiasts were hoping for GPUs closer to the $150 price point to cater to entry-level 1080p gaming.
While disappointing for consumers, this decision may be driven by economic factors. The fixed costs associated with producing graphics cards, including PCB manufacturing, memory chips, and cooling solutions, make it challenging to create profitable products at very low price points.
It's worth noting that while these cards may not appear as standalone products, there's still a possibility they could be developed exclusively for OEMs like Dell, HP, and Lenovo for use in pre-built systems or business-oriented computers.
On a more positive note, the same report indicates that AMD's partners are currently busy with the next generation of Radeon graphics cards based on the RDNA 4 GPU architecture. This confirms that development of the RX 8000 series is well underway, although the exact release timeframe remains uncertain, with some rumors pointing to early 2025.
As the GPU market continues to evolve, it's clear that AMD is making strategic decisions about its product lineup. While budget gamers may have to wait longer for truly affordable options, the focus on next-generation technology could lead to exciting developments in the near future.
Update: Tuesday August 13 15:26
While AMD appears to be scaling back on budget GPU options, Nvidia is taking a different approach with its RTX 4070 line. A new variant of the RTX 4070 featuring slower GDDR6 memory instead of GDDR6X is set to launch after August 20th. This updated model maintains the same 5,888 CUDA cores and 12GB VRAM as the original, but with memory running at 20 Gbps instead of 21 Gbps. The change could result in lower power consumption and potentially a more affordable price point, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious gamers. This move by Nvidia seems to address supply shortages and may offer better value, contrasting with AMD's apparent shift away from the entry-level GPU market.
The GALAX RTX 4070 graphics card, an option in the current GPU market highlighted in AMD's recent strategic shift |