Tag: RX 9080 XT

  • AMD to Launch Stronger RDNA 4 Variants to Compete with RTX 5080

    AMD to Launch Stronger RDNA 4 Variants to Compete with RTX 5080

    Key Takeaways

    1. AMD is reportedly developing a premium RX 9080 XT model and plans to update its RDNA 4 graphics card lineup in 2025.
    2. New Radeon GPUs targeted at professionals may feature up to 48 GB of VRAM and are expected to launch soon.
    3. Stronger variants of RDNA 4 graphics cards are anticipated later this year, potentially including the RX 9080 XT.
    4. AMD aims to enhance its presence in the high-end GPU market, especially as Nvidia shifts focus to AI and reduces RTX 50 stock.
    5. AMD’s improved GPU drivers and technologies like FSR 4 may give it an advantage over Nvidia’s offerings in the upcoming high-end GPU segment.

    We shared recently that AMD appears to be working on a premium RX 9080 XT model. Moore’s Law Is Dead has also mentioned a possible launch schedule for revamped high-end RDNA 4 graphics cards, based on info from various AIB and industry insiders.

    Possible Refresh Timeline

    According to MLID, an AIB source indicated that AMD may be updating its lineup sometime in 2025. There’s also speculation that Team Red could introduce new Radeon GPUs aimed at professionals, featuring up to 48 GB of VRAM.

    Stronger Variants Coming

    Another AIB contact reported from “AMD representatives” that there will be “strong variants” of RDNA 4 launched later this year. Although the specifics of these “stronger” RDNA 4 models remain unclear, it is reasonable to think that the RX 9080 XT could be among them.

    So what are the implications of all this?

    AMD’s Market Positioning

    To begin with, AMD might be preparing to fill the gap in the high-end/flagship segment of the RDNA 4 GPU range. With an RTX 5080 Super challenger on the horizon, AMD could significantly enhance its presence in the gaming sector, especially since Nvidia is reportedly reducing its RTX 50 gaming stock to shift focus to the AI market. Thus, while gamers might struggle to find high-end RTX 50 models, the new RX 9080 XT could serve as a solid alternative.

    When the announcement surfaced in 2024 that AMD wouldn’t introduce high-end flagship GPUs to rival the RTX 5080/5090, fans were left speculating about the reasons behind this. Some believed AMD was unable to get the rumored Multi-Chip Module (MCM) RDNA 4 flagship functioning. Others thought it didn’t make financial sense to enter a market where Nvidia had reigned supreme for several generations.

    Nonetheless, there was an alternative perspective: AMD may have believed that the software ecosystem wasn’t fully developed enough to unleash the full capabilities of the high-end RDNA 4 GPUs.

    Considering this mix of reasons, it appears to be an opportune moment for AMD to roll out a high-end/flagship RX 9000 GPU. AMD currently has robust GPU drivers for RDNA 4, which arguably outperform Nvidia’s efforts with the RTX 50 series, along with impressive FSR 4 technology and promising developments like FSR Redstone on the horizon.

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  • AMD RX 9080 XT ES vs RTX 5080 Super: A Potential Rivalry

    AMD RX 9080 XT ES vs RTX 5080 Super: A Potential Rivalry

    Key Takeaways

    1. The graphics card operates at game clock speeds between 3.4 to 3.7 GHz and features a 256-bit GDDR7 memory interface with up to 32 GB of VRAM options (16 GB and 24 GB also available).

    2. It shows a 28% average performance increase at 4K resolution over the RX 9070 XT, with certain workloads achieving up to a 45% boost, positioning it against the RTX 5080 Super and possibly the RTX 4090.

    3. The GPU is likely based on an enhanced Navi 48 architecture, focusing on higher clock speeds and memory bandwidth without major redesigns, and may utilize advanced TSMC process nodes.

    4. AMD may adopt a strategy similar to the Radeon VII, potentially delaying the RX 9080 XT ES launch until a favorable market opportunity arises or competitive pressure increases.

    5. The launch timing could depend on the readiness of FSR4 (Redstone) and other strategic factors to ensure a competitive high-end product.

    Internal AMD lab tests have indicated that the graphics card operates at game clock speeds ranging from 3.4 to 3.7 GHz. This GPU is equipped with a 256-bit GDDR7 memory interface, and it can come with memory configurations of up to 32 GB of VRAM. There are also 16 GB and 24 GB memory options available. In terms of power consumption, the card exceeds 450 watts when under load, with some versions going beyond 500 watts when overclocked.

    Performance Benchmarks

    Early benchmark information shared privately with Moore’s Law Is Dead suggests that the performance at 4K resolution shows an average increase of 28% over the RX 9070 XT, with certain workloads reaching up to a 45% boost. This performance level puts the RX 9080 XT ES in direct competition with the RTX 5080 Super and possibly even the RTX 4090, depending on how it is implemented and its final clock speeds. However, it’s important to note that this is all still speculative.

    Architecture Insights

    The GPU is likely based on an enhanced Navi 48 architecture, and it seems that AMD is not planning any drastic redesigns. Rather, the company appears to be focusing on achieving higher clock speeds and increased memory bandwidth while maintaining a conventional monolithic design. It may also utilize TSMC’s N4X or even N3X process nodes to reach the reported performance levels. AMD has publicly laid out a roadmap that includes N2X and 1.4 nm nodes for future CPUs, making the usage of advanced nodes likely.

    Strategic Decisions Ahead

    Moore’s Law Is Dead suggests that the RX 9080 XT ES might adopt a strategy akin to that of the Radeon VII, which utilized a die-shrunk version of Vega to proactively counter NVIDIA’s shift to 7 nm technology. However, AMD has not yet confirmed any plans for a launch. The engineering sample may stay within the company unless AMD finds a suitable market opportunity or faces competitive pressure that necessitates a release.

    The ultimate choice could depend on the readiness of FSR4 (Redstone) along with various strategic factors. Multiple sources point to AMD potentially waiting to launch the RX 9080 XT alongside enhanced upscaling technology to deliver a truly competitive high-end product.

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