AMD could be both a bigger competitor to Nvidia with the next generation and not a competitor at all. Sounds confusing, but it’s not
AMD will probably not target the high-end segment with its upcoming new generation of graphics cards and leave the field to Nvidia. This has now been confirmed once again by a well-known leaker in the scene
Why it’s important: If the rumors turn out to be true, we won’t see a battle for the performance crown among graphics cards for the first time in years. However, this could also mean that AMD will focus primarily on the mid-range and really attack there. That would be both good and bad news for gamers
In detail: The hardware leaker Kepler has responded to an indirect question from the community. Please don’t tell me that AMD is also using GDDR6 in RNDA4
The simple answer is: Do they
:
Please don’t tell me AMD is using GDDR6 in RDNA 4 too
– Dee likes boobs, sue me~🇵🇸 (@DeeStrongfist) April 23, 2024
AMD’s potential waiver allows concrete conclusions to be drawn
So it’s specifically about the graphics memory (GDDR6) built into the RX-8000 series. Meanwhile, it is assumed that Nvidia will use the new and theoretically twice as fast GDDR7 memory (maximum 48.0 Gbps instead of the previous maximum 24.0 Gbps), at least in the top models
Faster VRAM is important to ensure a stable high frame rate. If the memory is full or cannot keep up with the textures, this can lead to frame drops.
In 4K resolution, textures consume a lot of memory. At high frame rates, there is correspondingly more data to be processed per time unit. The memory must be able to provide this, which is why its speed plays an important role
Conversely, not using the new memory standard therefore indirectly indicates that AMD does not produce high-end graphics cards that rely on fast VRAM.
Why is this good news and bad news for gamers?
The potentially bad news
Under no circumstances can it be good to leave the field and thus a monopoly position to one provider. This does not necessarily mean higher prices, but it cannot be ruled out that a high-end graphics card such as the RTX 5090 will become even more expensive than the already not exactly cheap RTX 4090.
The Founders Edition of the RTX 4090 was initially priced at €1,949. Currently, the flagship from Nvidia’s own range still costs €1,759.
- A monopoly position leads to market power and can drive up prices.
- The RTX 5090 may break through the 2,000 euro mark
Also important: As further rumors suggest, AMD will not even attack Nvidia’s current top model RTX 4090 with the RX 8000 series. This in turn could mean that Team Green feels little pressure to significantly lower the prices for this model.
The potentially good news
It is possible that AMD’s decision to abandon high-end graphics cards means that Team Red will go all out in the mid-range and entry-level class. The reverse effect on prices would then be conceivable. Competition is known to stimulate business and that is usually good for the consumer
- AMD may be targeting the mid-range and entry-level segment more strongly.
- This could lead to better prices in the corresponding segments, as Nvidia would then also be forced to adjust them.
When can we expect the new graphics cards?
Current leaks and rumors assume that the new graphics card generations from AMD and Nvidia will be released at the end of this year. At least as far as the most powerful models are concerned. For Nvidia, this could be the RTX 5090 and the RTX 5080.
On AMD’s side, it could be a graphics card that is somewhere between the RX 7900 XTX and RX 7900 XT / RX 7900 GRE in terms of performance.
