AMD to launch 20nm GPUs this year

AMD was not kidding when they early said they would release the new architecture this year. I personally thought they couldn`t make it until early 2014, but it looks that we will see it this year. For those who don`t know: The GPUs today is in 28nm. So new architecture and die shrink is coming to you in 2013. Amazing.

AMD Reportedly Launching Volcanic Islands GPUs in 2013

 

Also this might explain why 8970M is just a rebrand. They are saving the real deal til when 20nm Volcanic Island is announced :thumbsup:

This is very interesting and certainly something to consider for those who are looking for a new gaming notebook or wanting to upgrade the GPU.

 

If they are indeed launching 20nm this year, I think we won't see any rebrand from AMD.

 

We already do. 8970M a rebranded 7970M. Just to keep the market occupied until they release the beasts

 

I guess the 8990M will perhaps be a VI chip then? Bring it on

Gotta love the one-upmanship between NV and AMD lol

 

In that case, it would make sense for them to release something akin to the 7870LE or 7950 in 20mn with their new architecture, as an HD8990m. Not bad.

 

If 20nm mobile GPUs from AMD really happens this year (8990M), Nvidia better follow or else they will be left in the dust

 

What makes you think that is rebrand? I thought 8970M is more efficient due to the 2nd generation GCN architecture. Like 8750M vs. 7750M...

 

ya, they may repeat nvidia's strategy on 600m

 

No GPUs that have been released yet is GCN 2.0. 8970M score 10% more than 7970M in benchmarks, but 8970M is also clocked 10% higher so they fit together.

 

Is it just me thinking this will be launched on q4? and this will be the 9000 series?

 

Have AMD tapedout a 20nm chip?
After tapeout there is about a 6 month time before GPU is released. And that is is without any major problems. Most GPUs have at least 2 respins adding about 12 weeks.

Only way to make it quicker is by using risk wafers, something only Nvidia are crazy enough to do.

20nm is highly unlikely this year.
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I assume that AMD will continue to use TSMC for its GPUs?
http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/other/display/20130404143508_TSMC_Is_Ahead_of_Its_Own_20nm_Roadmap_Report.html

According to the link TSMC is ahead of their roadmap on 20nm. But the reason is that they are going to fab chips to Apple. Apple spend enormous money on tooling each year (last year about 12 billion. More than Intel). Apple pays upfront to build factories to build their stuff. A likely scenario is that Apple have payed for a 20nm line at TSMC.

Apple is today so big that they have insane need of wafers. If Apple switches all A class SoCs to 20 nm they need at least 60K wafer starts each month. And Apple will get their chips before Nvidia/AMD since they pay upfront.

 

I think they may do what nvidia did last year, use a rebrand of 7970m to deplete stocks, and later on introduce 8990m using 20nm, let's hope so!

 

that is going to be good, just dont think it will happen

 

This is good. I was not expecting anything like this. Both AMD and NVIDIA are back on the table for me.

Can't wait to see how this turns out - hope I'm not disappointed.

 

If they do, I give up on the gpu rat race.

 

Ya, I also think it is optimistic we'll see!

 

I see your point and I also thought 2014 would be the year for 20nm GPUs to appear. Then it will be the same deal again: AMD out with new architecture and 20nm in January, to be followed by Nvidia doing the same in March/April. Just like Kepler/GCN did.

AMD had some press conference earlier this year where they said they would release a new architecture in Q4 2013. They didn`t say which nm it would be in. Most people thought it would be in the exisiting 28nm. But then again, I find it strange to release the same GPUs just with a die shrink 3-4 months after. So I don`t know what to believe.

You are spot on with Apple paying for 20nm equipment for TSMC. It will be used for the A7 processor used in their i-devices
Could AMD borrow the tools to make the wafers they need you think?

 

AMD should save the name convention of 9700 until they come with a new architecture that dominates the world.

 

if they do I withdraw my offer to the bride of 100 sheep and 2 oxen and move that towards new hairspray

 

This year, huh? And when's the last time TSMC didn't totally screw the pooch on a die shrink?

Think 2014 folks, like you already were.

 

Weren't they on time for 80nm, 55nm and 40nm? They've had an OK track record. They did botch/cancel 32nm and had to wait until the 28nm process was ready, but it may have been exacerbated due to lack of capital during the economic recession.

I do agree with your skepticism, however. 2014 is always a safer bet, and if does come in 2013 it might be one of those December paper launches.

 

Also, they are talking about desktop chips.. GCN launched January, 2 years later December wouldn't be too far off..

 

AMD didn`t have any problems with 28nm wafers from TSMC. They got a steady supply from them. You are thinking about Nvidia and the ton of drama they created because they clearly had huge yield issues in TSMC.