I'd think of this as the first 2nd gen WX card. A WX 9200 is coming, surely, with Vega 20. In that context, the same clock speed as 9100 and higher memory bandwidth starts to make sense. What it does do is nearly obsolete WX 9100, for now.
Gen 1.01, maybe. It's still apparently "Vega 10" tech; they've just built up enough parts with defects in up to 8 CUs that can be run fast enough to compensate a bit in a cut-down card, and thrown in the latest HBM controller. That's not to say it's a bad deal, or at least a better deal than the WX 9100.
Because, even if they have final "7 nm" silicon is sufficient volumes, it takes time to get the drivers in shape and certify the various workstation applications.
Also, that won't intro at $1k, and that's probably where their market gap was.
Performance increase would probably be minimal, and it would require a whole new tape out which would cost a lot of money, as opposed to just reusing the Vega 10 dies already being made.
You must also not be aware that Intel is planning on launching a discrete GPU in the near future.
Regarding NVidia/Intel being 'screwed', I doubt it. If those Turing cards are anywhere close to being unleashed on gamers, AMD is going to be completely out of the graphics race.
So AMD (really this is more a GF issue, but only AMD really needs GF), where's VEGA20 made with GF 7nm? Not that I'd expect it to sell all that well, but we'd like to see what GF has in store for Zen2 next year. It would be nice if the fab could produce anything yet (not really sure how to count Intel's current Icelake as "anything").
We should see TSMC 7nm in iPhones this fall. This should be used for nVidia cards (probably later than the "next gen" people are expecting, they may throw a rebrand in there earlier), AMD Navi cards, and AMD EPYC processors. Ryzen 3 CPUs will presumably use GF.
I suspect staying all mini-DP instead of going to full sized ports was to let them keep the same PCB layout as WX9100 which had 6 such ports in a single row on the PCB. For this they just didn't use two of the pads.
I think this coincides with Vega Frontier going out of production. That was a better deal: 16 GB, 64 CU, and full workstation driver support. The only thing it lacked was ECC memory.
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trane - Sunday, August 12, 2018 - link
I'd think of this as the first 2nd gen WX card. A WX 9200 is coming, surely, with Vega 20. In that context, the same clock speed as 9100 and higher memory bandwidth starts to make sense. What it does do is nearly obsolete WX 9100, for now.GreenReaper - Sunday, August 12, 2018 - link
Gen 1.01, maybe. It's still apparently "Vega 10" tech; they've just built up enough parts with defects in up to 8 CUs that can be run fast enough to compensate a bit in a cut-down card, and thrown in the latest HBM controller. That's not to say it's a bad deal, or at least a better deal than the WX 9100.Dragonstongue - Sunday, August 12, 2018 - link
for under a grand $999 AH HA HA HA.I wonder why they did not do this on 12nm GLoFo?
Flunk - Sunday, August 12, 2018 - link
That would require at least a re-work. This can just use the same GPU they put on the Vega 56.mode_13h - Monday, August 13, 2018 - link
Because, even if they have final "7 nm" silicon is sufficient volumes, it takes time to get the drivers in shape and certify the various workstation applications.Also, that won't intro at $1k, and that's probably where their market gap was.
Dr. Swag - Monday, August 13, 2018 - link
Performance increase would probably be minimal, and it would require a whole new tape out which would cost a lot of money, as opposed to just reusing the Vega 10 dies already being made.Krayzieka - Sunday, August 12, 2018 - link
Nvidia and Intel will be screwed. after seeing this amazing value. AMD grow so faster than both companies combined. I hope more funding into amdDr. Swag - Monday, August 13, 2018 - link
How would intel be screwed when this doesn't even compete with any of their offerings? Loleek2121 - Wednesday, August 15, 2018 - link
You must also not be aware that Intel is planning on launching a discrete GPU in the near future.Regarding NVidia/Intel being 'screwed', I doubt it. If those Turing cards are anywhere close to being unleashed on gamers, AMD is going to be completely out of the graphics race.
wumpus - Sunday, August 12, 2018 - link
So AMD (really this is more a GF issue, but only AMD really needs GF), where's VEGA20 made with GF 7nm? Not that I'd expect it to sell all that well, but we'd like to see what GF has in store for Zen2 next year. It would be nice if the fab could produce anything yet (not really sure how to count Intel's current Icelake as "anything").We should see TSMC 7nm in iPhones this fall. This should be used for nVidia cards (probably later than the "next gen" people are expecting, they may throw a rebrand in there earlier), AMD Navi cards, and AMD EPYC processors. Ryzen 3 CPUs will presumably use GF.
Ryan Smith - Sunday, August 12, 2018 - link
"So AMD (really this is more a GF issue, but only AMD really needs GF), where's VEGA20 made with GF 7nm"It will arrive in Q4 (presumably late Q4) for Radeon Instinct.
Gc - Sunday, August 12, 2018 - link
Perhaps smaller miniDP improves airflow.DanNeely - Sunday, August 12, 2018 - link
I suspect staying all mini-DP instead of going to full sized ports was to let them keep the same PCB layout as WX9100 which had 6 such ports in a single row on the PCB. For this they just didn't use two of the pads.Kevin G - Sunday, August 12, 2018 - link
I wonder if the WX 9200 will be Vega 20. The chip should be shipping later this year fit at the top of the product stack.mode_13h - Monday, August 13, 2018 - link
I think this coincides with Vega Frontier going out of production. That was a better deal: 16 GB, 64 CU, and full workstation driver support. The only thing it lacked was ECC memory.msroadkill612 - Monday, August 13, 2018 - link
Good "poking" re the hynix hmb ram. That seems a big development given their HBM supply grief.