Images of what appears to be a cancelled AMD graphics card have emerged online, revealing details about a potential entry-level RDNA 3 GPU that never made it to market. The prototype, reportedly an AMD Radeon RX 7500, offers a glimpse into Team Red's abandoned plans for the sub-$200 graphics card segment.
The Unearthed Prototype
A user on social media platform X has shared photographs of what they claim is a working prototype of an unreleased AMD Radeon RX 7500 graphics card. The GPU reportedly features a cut-down Navi 33 XE die, the same architecture used in the RX 7600 series but with reduced specifications. When tested using GPU-Z software, the card showed 1,536 shading units (stream processors), 64 ROPs (Render Output Units), and 6GB of GDDR6 memory on a 96-bit bus.
AMD RX 7500 Prototype Specifications:
- GPU: Navi 33 XE (cut-down)
- Stream Processors: 1,536
- ROPs: 64
- Memory: 6GB GDDR6
- Memory Bus: 96-bit
- Current Status: Maximum frequency limited to 300 MHz due to lack of proper drivers
How It Compares to Released Models
The specifications position this cancelled card significantly below the officially released Radeon RX 7600, which features 2,048 shading units, 64 ROPs, and 8GB of GDDR6 memory on a wider 128-bit bus. This suggests AMD was planning a clear performance tier below its current entry-level RDNA 3 offering. Interestingly, the specifications don't align with previous rumors about the RX 7500 XT, which was thought to have 1,024 shaders and 32 ROPs according to TechPowerUp's database.
Comparison with RX 7600:
- RX 7600: 2,048 shaders, 64 ROPs, 8GB GDDR6, 128-bit bus
- RX 7500 (Prototype): 1,536 shaders, 64 ROPs, 6GB GDDR6, 96-bit bus
Technical Limitations
The leaker noted that while the prototype is functional, it can only reach a maximum frequency of 300 MHz, likely due to the lack of proper driver support. This severe limitation prevents any meaningful performance testing of the hardware. The card's 6GB memory configuration would have been particularly restrictive for modern gaming, especially as even 8GB cards are increasingly struggling with newer titles at higher settings.
Market Positioning
Had it been released, this RX 7500 would likely have targeted the sub-$200 price segment, potentially competing with NVIDIA's lower-tier offerings. However, with NVIDIA never releasing an RTX 4050 desktop GPU, AMD may have decided there wasn't sufficient competition to warrant bringing this product to market. The card seems to have been designed as a potential successor to previous entry-level offerings like the RX 6400 and RX 6500 XT, which received mixed reception due to their limited VRAM and other constraints.
The Abandoned Entry-Level Segment
The discovery of this prototype highlights how both major GPU manufacturers appear to have largely abandoned the truly budget-friendly graphics card segment. Current generation cards from both AMD and NVIDIA start at around USD$300, leaving a significant gap in the market for affordable options. While rumors have occasionally suggested the potential release of models like the RX 7300 and RX 7400, the window for such launches in the current generation seems to be closing rapidly.
Future Prospects
With the RX 7500 apparently shelved, budget-conscious gamers may need to wait for the next generation of graphics cards to see if AMD returns to the sub-$200 price point. Recent additions to AIDA64's support list have included references to an RX 7300, but as we're already well into the RDNA 3 product cycle, it seems increasingly unlikely that AMD will introduce new entry-level models before moving on to its next architecture.