During AMD’s Q3 2024 earnings call, the company shared exciting news about its upcoming RDNA 4 GPUs, confirming their launch in early 2025. AMD CEO Lisa Su announced, “We are on track to launch the first RDNA4 GPUs in early 2025,” marking the first public confirmation of these plans. This announcement aligns with recent leaks suggesting a shift from a late 2024 release to early 2025, attributed to challenges with current GPU sales impacting consumer expectations for the new line.
Lisa Su also highlighted that the RDNA 4 GPUs will significantly boost gaming performance, enhance ray tracing capabilities, and introduce new AI features. These advancements are expected to resonate with gamers and tech enthusiasts eagerly awaiting the next generation of graphics technology.
The confirmation of these chips might also give credence to other rumors. Earlier reports hinted at AMD unveiling its RDNA 4 graphics at CES 2025 in January, alongside other exciting announcements, such as the Strix Halo and Fire Range gaming notebook parts and the Ryzen Z2 handheld gaming chips.
Despite a decline in gaming revenue, largely due to the aging PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles, AMD remains committed to the gaming sector. However, data center operations now constitute a more significant portion of AMD’s business, as Su emphasized the company’s ambition to become an end-to-end AI leader.
While AMD has shifted focus away from flagship GPUs to prioritize AI, the RDNA 4 consumer parts are not expected to directly compete with Nvidia’s top-tier offerings. Instead, they aim to deliver impressive performance and value, catering to a broader audience seeking high-quality graphics solutions.
RDNA 4 Release and Strategy
AMD has set its sights on a significant market shift with the release of its RDNA 4 GPU lineup in early 2025. By targeting the mainstream segment, AMD aims to capture a substantial 40-50% market share in the GPU market. This strategic focus on the mid-range market, which constitutes a whopping 80% of the market share, is a calculated move to offer competitive pricing and exceptional value. The RDNA 4 GPUs are designed to cater to this mainstream segment, ensuring that more gamers and professionals can access high-performance graphics without breaking the bank. The official launch is expected in the first quarter of next year, following a grand debut at CES 2025.
RDNA 4 Performance Improvements
The upcoming RDNA 4 GPUs promise a significant leap in performance, with expectations of a 10-30% improvement over their RDNA 3 predecessors. These new graphics cards will feature enhanced ray tracing capabilities, better clock speeds, and the inclusion of GDDR6 memory along with AMD’s innovative infinity cache. The revamped ray tracing engines are set to deliver high-end performance at a more accessible $400-$500 price range, making advanced graphics technology more attainable. With these improvements, AMD is poised to offer a compelling mix of performance and value, appealing to both gamers and professionals alike.
AMD’s Graphics Business Group
Under the leadership of Jack Huynh, AMD’s Graphics Business Group is shifting its strategy to focus on the mainstream segment. The previous “King of the Hill” approach, which emphasized high-end products, did not yield the desired results. Now, the group is concentrating on building a diverse portfolio that offers competitive pricing and value. This strategic pivot aims to boost AMD’s market share from 19% to an ambitious 40-50%, leveraging the newfound focus on mainstream GPU hardware. By prioritizing the needs of the broader market, AMD is positioning itself to become a dominant player in the graphics card industry.
Competition and Market Impact
As Nvidia continues to prioritize high-performance with its next-gen RTX 5000 series, AMD’s RDNA 4 GPUs are set to carve out a competitive edge in the mid-range market. The power consumption of Nvidia’s RTX 50 cards suggests a potential gap in efficiency compared to AMD’s upcoming offerings. With a strong emphasis on price-to-performance, AMD’s budget-friendly pricing strategy could prove to be a game-changer. The launch of the RDNA 4 GPUs is expected to significantly impact the market, potentially shifting the balance of power between AMD and Nvidia, and offering consumers more choices in the mid-range segment.
Launch and Availability
The RDNA 4 GPUs are slated for an early 2025 launch, with the flagship Navi 48 making its debut at CES 2025. Following this, the Navi 44 is expected to hit the market in Q2 2025. The Radeon RX 8000 series will be available in various configurations, including 16 GB and 12 GB VRAM options, catering to different user needs. While MSI has scaled back its support for the Radeon RX 7000 series, other manufacturers remain committed, ensuring competitive pricing. AMD is expected to reveal official pricing details closer to the launch, setting the stage for a highly anticipated release.
