Key Takeaways
1. AMD’s next Radeon chips are reportedly taped out on TSMC’s N3P node, dismissing rumors of Samsung Foundry involvement.
2. A tentative release window for the RDNA 5 architecture is suggested to be mid-2027, allowing time for validation and production.
3. AMD has not confirmed new desktop Radeon products or the “RDNA 5” title, focusing instead on general next-gen gaming GPU discussions.
4. AMD is collaborating with Sony on “Project Amethyst,” developing advanced graphics technologies for future GPUs and consoles.
5. Speculation about the internal “GFX13” graphics lineup and HDMI 2.2 support continues, but no official specifications have been released.
Rumors about AMD’s upcoming Radeon graphics architecture gained attention this week, sparked by suggestions that the company might produce its next Radeon chips at Samsung Foundry, potentially using a 2 nm or 4 nm process. However, prominent hardware leaker Kepler_L2 quickly dismissed these claims, labeling them as nonsense and stating that the chips have already been taped out by another manufacturer.
Details on Manufacturing
Kepler_L2, who has a solid reputation for AMD-related revelations and early talks about the PlayStation 5 Pro, indicated that the next-gen Radeon chips are already taped out on TSMC’s N3P node. If this information is correct, it would eliminate Samsung Foundry from the equation for this generation and strongly imply that AMD is continuing its partnership with TSMC for these premium GPUs.
Expected Release Timeline
Additionally, Kepler_L2 mentioned a tentative release window in mid-2027 for what many are calling RDNA 5. This timeline aligns well with the idea of a completed tape-out, as cutting-edge GPUs usually need a significant validation period and production ramp-up before they hit the market. For now, AMD hasn’t commented on any branding or launch strategies related to this.
Current Product Landscape
As of now, AMD has not disclosed any new desktop Radeon offerings, nor has it verified the “RDNA 5” title. The company has only talked generally about “next-generation gaming GPUs” while emphasizing AI capabilities and ray tracing, but without any specific timelines or branding. In contrast, AMD is more forthcoming regarding its CPU plans, frequently discussing future EPYC generations and even mentioning early work on 2 nm wafers. Radeon, however, remains intentionally vague.
Collaboration with Sony
One of the few definite pointers about future graphics is AMD’s partnership with Sony, referred to as “Project Amethyst.” Both firms have shared information about developing new Radiance Cores for ray tracing and path tracing, along with Neural Arrays for AI-driven graphics tasks and enhanced compression methods to alleviate memory bandwidth bottlenecks. It is anticipated that these advancements will be incorporated into both future desktop Radeon GPUs and next-gen console SoCs, suggesting a unified graphics strategy.
Speculation and Leaks
Apart from that, most information relies on leaks and educated guessing. Mentions of an internal “GFX13” graphics lineup continue to emerge, along with rumors of various desktop dies labeled AT0, AT2, AT3, and AT4 — each with different compute unit counts and memory setups. HDMI 2.2 support has also been a recurring topic, yet no official specifications have been released to confirm this.
Market Dynamics for 2027
If the mid-2027 target is accurate, 2026 may end up being relatively uneventful, particularly since Radeon marketing has already been subdued for most of the year. AMD even removed its RDNA 4 announcement from its CES 2026 presentation, leading to low expectations for the event. This quietness could be a strategic choice: if mid-2027 is indeed the aim, generating buzz too soon wouldn’t be practical. There are also real-world factors at play, as memory shortages and increasing costs could complicate the launch of a desktop GPU in 2026, making it hard to price and position effectively.
Kepler_L2 shared this information on X via VideoCardz.
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