AMD rolled out its Radeon RX 7900 XT and XTX GPUs final yr. Then got here the RX 7600 in Might. However right here we’re in direction of the top of June and there is not any phrase on AMD filling out its RDNA 3 vary with the 7800 XT and 7700 XT, plus presumably non-XT variations. So, what precisely is occurring?
The very first thing to notice is that the RX 7800 and 7700 playing cards aren’t truly all that late. The RX 6700 XT launched in March 2021, so the everyday expectation would have been for a 7700 XT in March this yr. At worst, then, the 7700 XT is arguably a number of months late.
As for the 7800 XT, that is a bit extra sophisticated. AMD modified up its branding with the 7900 XT and 7900 XTX. When RDNA 2 was launched on the finish of 2020, the 6900 XT was the highest card, with the 6800 XT straight under it and based mostly on the the identical Navi 21 GPU.
So, you could possibly argue the 7800 XT is already right here, it is simply known as the 7900 XT. However then, in fact, we’re nonetheless lacking a substitute for the plain non-XT RX 6800. And the aforementioned 6700 XT and 6700 non-XT.
Nonetheless you slice it, then, there is a large, fats gap in the course of the RDNA 3 lineup. Enter the most recent spherical of rumours. One main dialogue level entails so-called ‘leaks’ claiming that the 7800 XT will truly be based mostly on the identical Navi 31 GPU as the present 7900 XT and XTX.
That actually is sensible and wouldn’t truly be a shock. Whether or not a mooted 7800 XT is a substitute for the last-gen 6800 XT or the non-XT 6800, being based mostly on the most important accessible GPU could be according to AMD’s earlier method.
Because it occurs, AMD already has simply such a transforming of Navi 31 accessible within the Radeon Professional W7800. That is knowledgeable GPU, not a gaming card. But it surely makes use of a cut-down Navi 31 GPU with 70 CUs and 4,480 shaders. Lest you may have forgotten, the 7900 XT has 84 CUs and 5,376 shaders whereas the 7900 XTX rocks the complete 96 CUs and 6,144 shaders.
So AMD has one thing able to go that might fill the 7800 XT function. What in regards to the 7700 XT? That is the place Navi 32 is available in. It is also the place issues change into a bit speculative. Present finest data signifies that Navi 32 is a chiplet design, like Navi 31, however with a smaller graphics die and simply 4 slightly than six MCDs, the latter being these smaller chiplets containing cache and reminiscence controllers.
Simply such a GPU was lately noticed in a show of silicon AMD laid out throughout an interview with CEO Lisa Su. 4 MCDs would make a 7700 XT 256-bit by way of reminiscence bus width, however one of many 4 MCDs may very well be a dummy inserted for packaging functions. A 3-MCD association would ship a 192-bit bus and permit for a 12GB 7700 XT card, which is what we expect.
Anyway, Navi 32 is mostly thought to rock both 60 or 64 compute items, which might be the higher restrict for a 7700 XT card, although some rumours have the 7700 XT utilizing a cut-down Navi 32 GPU with simply 54 CUs. Some rumours have indicated it could have as few as 48 CUs
Certainly, there might nicely be a 7800 non-XT with all 60 or 64 CUs activated. Such a GPU would then additionally use all 4 MCDs, run a 256-bit bus and supply 16GB of VRAM.
By the way, that 60 to 64 max CU rely for Navi 32 additionally explains why it is unlikely to see service within the 7800 XT. It is simply not sufficient CUs for that class of GPU. It might be barely, if any, quicker than the previous 6800 XT and its 72 RDNA 2-style CUs.
As for the way any of those playing cards will carry out, nicely, Navi 31 is a identified amount and certainly based mostly on that W7800 professional card, Igor’s Lab lately did the maths and labored out that the mooted 7800 XT could be marginally faster on common than the last-gen 6900 XT. Respectable however not spectacular.
The 7700 XT, alternatively, may very well be a bit extra thrilling. Bear in mind, that estimated 7800 XT is predicated on 70 RDNA 3 CUs, whereas the 6900 XT has 80 old-style RDNA 2 CUs. I.e. fewer CUs however nonetheless barely increased efficiency.
The 7700 XT’s CU rely is extra unsure. The previous 6700 XT has 40 RNDA 2 CUs. So even 48 RDNA 3 CUs ought to be a good step, whereas 54 CUs could be even higher. In fact, we have present no thought how excessive Navi 32 would possibly clock, which is a vital a part of image.
As, in fact, is a launch date for any of those new GPUs. Sadly, there is not any agency date. Most present rumours counsel a Q3 launch, in all probability in September. Given the sparsity of leaked data, it actually would not appear to be new GPUs from AMD are imminent.
The remaining query is why we’ve not seen any of those new card but. One risk is that AMD has loads of last-gen 6700, 6800 and 6900 derivatives left over that want shifting and so would not fancy including to that pile with new GPUs.
The opposite risk is technical points with Navi 32. Nonetheless, that would not forestall a cut-down Navi 31-based 7800 XT from being launched. And as we have reported on quite a few events, GPU gross sales are dire in the mean time. So, the GPU glut principle looks like the extra believable clarification.
And that, people, just about sums up one of the best accessible data on AMD’s subsequent GPUs. The TL;DR? Count on the 7800 XT and 7700 XT in September, with doable non-XT variants in tow.
