As AMD's next-generation RDNA 4 graphics architecture draws closer to launch, a flurry of leaks and rumors are painting a clearer picture of what to expect from Team Red's upcoming Radeon RX 8000 series GPUs.
Recent leaks suggest that AMD may be positioning RDNA 4 similarly to its RDNA 1 lineup, with a focus on mid-range performance rather than pushing the high-end envelope. Here's what we've learned from the latest reports:
RX 8700 XT Emerges as Potential Flagship
According to hardware leaker Golden Pig Upgrade, the top model in the Radeon RX 8000 series is likely to be the RX 8700 XT. This aligns with earlier Geekbench leaks revealing a GPU with:
- 56 Compute Units
- 3,584 Stream Processors
- 2,101 MHz clock speed
- 16GB VRAM (likely GDDR6)
If accurate, this positions the RX 8700 XT as a mid-range offering rather than an ultra-high-end flagship.
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| Anticipation builds for the AMD Radeon RX 8700 XT as the next mid-range flagship graphics card |
Multiple RDNA 4 SKUs in Development
Additional leaks point to at least four RDNA 4 SKUs in the pipeline:
- Navi 48 GPU: 256-bit bus, 64 MB Infinity Cache, 20 Gbps VRAM
- Navi 48 GPU: 256-bit bus, 64 MB Infinity Cache, 18 Gbps VRAM
- Navi 48 GPU: 192-bit bus, 48 MB Infinity Cache, 19 Gbps VRAM
- Navi 44 GPU: 128-bit bus, 32 MB Infinity Cache, 18 Gbps VRAM
These specifications suggest a range of performance tiers within the RDNA 4 family.
Launch Timeline Taking Shape
While AMD has yet to make any official announcements, industry insiders are pointing to a potential unveiling at CES 2025 in January. The current expectations are:
- Navi 48-based cards (higher-end models) launching first
- Navi 44-based cards (budget options) following in Q2 2025
What This Means for AMD's Strategy
The apparent focus on mid-range performance with RDNA 4 could indicate a shift in AMD's priorities. Possible factors include:
- Reserving cutting-edge designs for the professional CDNA architecture
- Allocating more resources towards the booming AI GPU market
- Preparing for the integration of RDNA 5 graphics in upcoming Zen 6 Medusa processors
While some enthusiasts may be disappointed by the lack of a true high-end offering, this approach could allow AMD to deliver competitive price-to-performance ratios in the crucial mainstream segment.
As always with pre-release information, it's important to treat these leaks with caution until AMD provides official confirmation. However, the consistency across multiple sources suggests we're getting a increasingly accurate picture of AMD's RDNA 4 plans.