AMD is reportedly working on a new GPU that is rumored to rival the Nvidia RTX 4080 in performance, but at a significantly lower price point. The latest rumors surrounding the AMD Radeon 8000 series suggest that the company is deviating from its multi chiplet approach for RDNA 4 graphics cards, and instead, focusing on leaving the high-end market segment to Nvidia in the next GPU generation.
While AMD has excelled in rasterization performance with its latest GPUs, it has faced challenges in keeping up with Nvidia in terms of ray tracing performance. This has particularly impacted the high-end segment, where expensive GPUs like the Radeon RX 7900 XTX struggle to compete with Nvidia’s offerings. As a result, reports indicate that AMD’s top-end Radeon RX 8000 GPUs are expected to be priced in the range of $400-600, while targeting performance levels comparable to the RTX 4080 and RX 7900 XTX. This aligns with earlier leaks suggesting that RDNA 4 will primarily focus on the budget and mid-range sectors.
If these reports hold true, AMD’s approach with the Radeon 8000 series mirrors its strategy with the first-generation GPUs, which peaked with the mid-range Radeon 5700 XT and 5700. However, this shift is likely to disappoint gamers at the high end, where strong competition against Nvidia is highly anticipated.
Interestingly, it appears that AMD had initially planned a top-end Radeon RX 8000 GPU codenamed Navi 4C, featuring a multi-chiplet design with nine separate Shader Engine Dies. However, according to reliable sources, this high-end GPU has been canceled due to cost implications and the extensive driver work required. The potential price tag of $2,500 and the considerable resources needed to make it functional led to the decision to scrap the project.
While AMD’s decision to focus on the mid-range and budget segments with the Radeon 8000 series may disappoint enthusiasts looking for high-end competition, it reflects the company’s strategic shift in the GPU market. As the competition between AMD and Nvidia continues to evolve, the upcoming RDNA 4 graphics cards are poised to offer an attractive performance-to-price ratio for consumers.
