Thanks to a sneaky leak it looks like AMD could be set to release not one, but two next-generation graphics cards according to XBitLabs, due for release in Q3 and both based on the new GCN 2.0 architecture. These two cards consist of the code named Curacao and Hainan cores and should be heading to sweet talk the enthusiast and high-end gaming markets.
According to a report on Chiphell the new graphics cards will pack a few new features such as 4 asynchronous computing engines (ACEs), three geometry engines and more stream processors, but since these cards (Curacao and Hainan) are still part of the Sea Island GPU range, they do not feature heterogeneous compute capabilities.
It’s expected that the cards will still be manufactured with 28nm technology, given that AMDs manufacturing partner Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. doesn’t start using 20nm fabs until Q4.
Curacao XT GPU (expected hardware spec)
- 2304 Stream Processors
- 36 Compute Units
- 144 Texture Units
- 48 Render Back Ends
- 384bit Memory Controller
Hainan GPU (expected hardware spec)
- 1792 Stream Processors
- 28 Compute Units
- 112 Texture Units
- 32 Render Back Ends
- 256-bit Memory Controller
Both will feature a similar front end to the current 7900 / 7800 cards, with 4 asynchronous computing engines, 3 geometry engines, command processor, global data share etc.
It’s certain exciting to speculate but I’m sure we’ll know more over the coming weeks and months as AMD ramp up the PR on these new cards, given the current 7xx launches at Nvidia, it’s clear that AMD needs to play a good hand and if the get the pricing right on these new cards we could see yet another exciting turn in the (seemingly) never ending graphic card race.
It’s not inconceivable.
I want either new architecture or great pricing, preferably the former.