AMD is planning a series of new Radeon RX Series graphics cards, based on its Polaris architecture, designed for VR-ready PCs. The RX 480 series is designed to be financially accessible, starting at $200. The series uses 14nm GPUs built with a FinFET process. More information will be released soon, and the cards will be formally launched on the 29th June.
In addition to the new GPUs, AMD launched seventh-generation A-Series APUs. These are shipping in volume now. They use a quad-core architecture and mobile-optimised ‘Excavator’ x86 cores, plus integrated Radeon graphics. Some models use up to Radeon R7 graphics.
The ‘Bristol Ridge’ line of APUs consists of 35W and 15W versions of AMD’s FX, A12 and A10 processors. ‘Stoney Ridge’ uses 15W A9, A6 and E2 configurations.
Finally, AMD showed its new z86 ‘Zen’ processor core architecture to the public for the first time. It was used in the new AM4 desktop processor, known as ‘Summit Ridge’, which features eight cores and 16 threads.
Analyst Comment
Nvidia recently tried to lower the cost of VR with its GTX 1080 and GTX 1070 cards. While they may be more powerful, they are still priced well above the RX 480 series, starting at $380. (TA)
