AMD to launch Volcanic Islands GPU (HD8000s) in 2013

[boxleitnerb]

A new architecture? No. Rather an evolution of GCN, nothing really new. Really new architectures happen every 4-5 years.

[LordEC911]

Did you happen to see my post above where I link the CEO of TSMC saying there won't be 20nm this year? 12 days ago?

Did you read what he said? "Volume production."

[Rollo]

Did you read what he said? "Volume production."

I want the cards to launch too, but I think if Rory Read flew to your lawn in a helicopter with a tattoo artist, and had him tattoo "No 8970 cards in 2013" on the back of your hands you would post "He has to post that to throw the fanboys off their trail and not tip their hand to NVIDIA! The cards are coming any day now, and they're shooting for 300% of Titan performance!".

It gets to a point you have to give it up.

Press release + press conference+ TSMC CEO saying no volume 20nm this year >>>>>>> some guys told Caveman Jim they'll be comin' soon.

I've known Caveman Jim forever, think he's a great guy, and even suggested to NVIDIA that they should provide him and Rage3d with review samples back when I was having weekly chats with them about all sorts of stuff.

But the odds of AMD getting high end 20nm parts out the door this year are looking pretty bleak as we're halfway through the year and there are no low end 20nm cards out, and TSMC saying they're not ramping it up till 2014.

Paper launch for Christmas? Sure.

I hope I'm wrong but this smells like a PR planted rumor to me, because after tomorrow I think 7970 sales are taking a big nose dive.

Prove me wrong AMD, would love to buy an 8970 to replace my 7970. Money is on the table with me and many others this year, just not for 18 month old 7970s.

[Rollo]

A new architecture? No. Rather an evolution of GCN, nothing really new. Really new architectures happen every 4-5 years.

Fine, but same as Kepler is a big jump over Fermi (especially in Titan form) I expect a good size leap with Hawaii.

[LordEC911]

I want the cards to launch too, but I think if Rory Read flew to your lawn in a helicopter with a tattoo artist, and had him tattoo "No 8970 cards in 2013" on the back of your hands you would post "He has to post that to throw the fanboys off their trail and not tip their hand to NVIDIA! The cards are coming any day now, and they're shooting for 300% of Titan performance!".

It gets to a point you have to give it up.

At some point I wish you would read what I type.... You are putting words in my mouth.

The only point I was making is that the statement can be taken two ways and you went with the more negative view. I apologize for pointing out that from a different POV there could be a different meaning to that statement.

I never said 20nm in 2013, I actually said I find it unlikely.
Though on the other hand, I have been adamant that AMD will be releasing something before the end of the year.

[Rollo]

Apologies if I misunderstood.

I think they'll get some low end parts out this year and high end Q1/very early Q2 2014. (with A1 Hawaii (unreleased in Q4 this year)

Until then, hard times at AMDs GPU division unless APUs and consoles can keep them in the black.

And I still think they should have tried the closed loop 7970 to counter 780. It's a part they had, could get a volume discount on the blocks/coolers for volume (and maybe more discount if they left the branding on block/cooler for advertising) and it should be no problem to get another 10-15% out of the 7970 with some binning and water.

If they sold these for $100 less than a 780, that's a competing product rather than a hole in the market at that price performance point.

[paulbagz]

Latest reports from Chiphell suggest that AMD would launch their Radeon HD 8000 series in Q3 2013, the site also mentions new specifications of the upcoming graphic cards which might stir up some interest of AMD fans since they haven’t seen a true successor for the Southern Islands based HD 7000 series since over a year.
AMD Radeon HD 8000 Series Launching in Q3 2013?
Previously, it was mentioned in a roadmap by AMD that their HD 7000 series would be kept as a primary focus till Q3 2013 after which they would probably release a new generation of graphic cards. All was good until NVIDIA planned to launch their GeForce 700 series in May 2013 with the GeForce GTX 780 rather than pushing them to Q4 2013 as was rumored earlier. AMD currently have nothing in their sleeves to tackle the $649 GK110 monster known as the GeForce GTX 780 and only a few days later would the green side also introduce another GeForce 700 series product “GeForce GTX 770” which is expected to be 10% faster than AMD’s fastest Radeon HD 7970 GHz edition GPU.
But these current reports from Chiphell suggest that all is about to change. You may remember us talking about the 20nm AMD Volcanic Island series which was rumored to launch in Q3/Q4 2013. Forget that, the 20nm part may not happen since the HD 8000 series is again going to be based on a 28nm manufacturing process but the codename might be “Volcanic Islands” since “Sea Islands” is currently being branded for the mobile and 7000 series SKUs such as the HD 7790.
AMD Radeon HD 8970:
Well according to the reports, the Radeon HD 8000 series would kick off with the launch of the Radeon HD 8970. The Radeon HD 8970 would pack 36 compute units resulting in 2304 stream processors, 144 TMUs and 48 ROPs. To tackle the GK110 rivals such as TItan and 780, the card would be equipped with 6 GB of GDDR5 memory which would operate along a 384-bit interface and clocked at 7000 MHz effective. The core clock would be maintained at 1100 MHz though whether or not Boost tech would be available is unknown. Still this is 100 MHz higher than the GHz edition plus is based on a newer architecture codenamed “GCN 2.0 Curacao”. The compute performance is mentioned at 5.07 TFlops which would mean that overall the HD 8970 would offer 35% performance lift over the HD 7970 GHz at a price of $599. The price may look high but it was the obvious choice for AMD since the cost that would take to manufacturer a chip to compete GK110 would cost alot and at the same time AMD had to make sure that they don’t go the Titan route by pricing the card higher since GTX 780 offers Titan-like performance for $350 less price.
AMD Radeon HD 8950:
The other three cards mentioned include Hainan 28nm based HD 8950 which is based on a totally different architecture than the HD 8970. We are looking at a GTX 780 and GTX 770 like scenario over here. One card is based on a high-performance compute chip while the HD 8950 sticks to a lower-compute performance chip with a new name. The GPU features 3.5 Billion transistors and 8 Asynchronous Compute Engines compared to four on first GCN architecture. Specifications include 1792 stream processors, 112 TMUs and 32 ROPs while clock speeds are boosted to 1.2 GHz for core and 7 GHz effective for the 4 GB GDDR5 memory that operates along a 256-bit wide interface. It would cost $399 US and bring 10% better performance compared to the HD 7970.
The next two cards HD 8870 and HD 8850 are based on disabled variants of the Hainan chip which can be seen below:
AMD Radeon HD 8970 AMD Radeon HD 8950 AMD Radeon HD 8870 AMD Radeon HD 8850
Core Curacao XT Hainan XT Hainan Pro Hainan LE
Process 28 nm 28 nm 28 nm 28 nm
Transistors 5.5 B 3.5 B 3.5 B 3.5 B
Processors 2304 SPs 1792 SPs 1536 SPs 1280 SPs
TMUs 144 112 96 80
ROPs 48 32 32 32
Core Clock 1100 MHz 1200 MHz 1100 MHz 1000 MHz
Memory 384-bit 256-bit 256-bit 256-bit
VRAM 6 GB 4 GB 2 GB 2 GB
Memory Clock 7.0 GHz 7.0 GHz 6.0 GHz 6.0 GHz
ACE Units 8 8 8 8
Peak Floating Point 5.07 TFlops 4.30 TFlops 3.38 TFlops 2.56 TFlops
Price $599 $399 $299 $229

Read more: http://wccftech.com/amd-radeon-hd-80...#ixzz2UaDGiR7V

-PB

[Rollo]

This would make some sense.

Last year there were rumors of "8970" bringing a "just 20% increase over 7970" and having roughly those specs.

And then we saw people like LordEC911 posting "They're shooting for 75% over 7970!".

Both were likely true. AMD may well have had the 28nm "20% higher" chip in the works, and the "75% higher" chip to compete with Maxwell.

When they were saying "No new high end this year" it was probably because they saw no need to launch the 20% higher chip figuring customers for $1000 Titans and 690s were a small group. The 780/770 launch forced them to resurrect the 20% higher part. (which could well have been done by now and just need to be produced and packaged)

[Zloyd]

Hmm so widely available by Aug ? Lets hope so thats still 2 months away Nvidia will prolly be releasing 760ti around then.

[Sushi Warrior]

AMD Radeon HD 8970:
Well according to the reports, the Radeon HD 8000 series would kick off with the launch of the Radeon HD 8970. The Radeon HD 8970 would pack 36 compute units resulting in 2304 stream processors, 144 TMUs and 48 ROPs. To tackle the GK110 rivals such as TItan and 780, the card would be equipped with 6 GB of GDDR5 memory which would operate along a 384-bit interface and clocked at 7000 MHz effective. The core clock would be maintained at 1100 MHz though whether or not Boost tech would be available is unknown. Still this is 100 MHz higher than the GHz edition plus is based on a newer architecture codenamed “GCN 2.0 Curacao”. The compute performance is mentioned at 5.07 TFlops which would mean that overall the HD 8970 would offer 35% performance lift over the HD 7970 GHz at a price of $599. The price may look high but it was the obvious choice for AMD since the cost that would take to manufacturer a chip to compete GK110 would cost alot and at the same time AMD had to make sure that they don’t go the Titan route by pricing the card higher since GTX 780 offers Titan-like performance for $350 less price.
AMD Radeon HD 8950:
The other three cards mentioned include Hainan 28nm based HD 8950 which is based on a totally different architecture than the HD 8970. We are looking at a GTX 780 and GTX 770 like scenario over here. One card is based on a high-performance compute chip while the HD 8950 sticks to a lower-compute performance chip with a new name. The GPU features 3.5 Billion transistors and 8 Asynchronous Compute Engines compared to four on first GCN architecture. Specifications include 1792 stream processors, 112 TMUs and 32 ROPs while clock speeds are boosted to 1.2 GHz for core and 7 GHz effective for the 4 GB GDDR5 memory that operates along a 256-bit wide interface. It would cost $399 US and bring 10% better performance compared to the HD 7970.
The next two cards HD 8870 and HD 8850 are based on disabled variants of the Hainan chip which can be seen below:
AMD Radeon HD 8970 AMD Radeon HD 8950 AMD Radeon HD 8870 AMD Radeon HD 8850
Core Curacao XT Hainan XT Hainan Pro Hainan LE
Process 28 nm 28 nm 28 nm 28 nm
Transistors 5.5 B 3.5 B 3.5 B 3.5 B
Processors 2304 SPs 1792 SPs 1536 SPs 1280 SPs
TMUs 144 112 96 80
ROPs 48 32 32 32
Core Clock 1100 MHz 1200 MHz 1100 MHz 1000 MHz
Memory 384-bit 256-bit 256-bit 256-bit
VRAM 6 GB 4 GB 2 GB 2 GB
Memory Clock 7.0 GHz 7.0 GHz 6.0 GHz 6.0 GHz
ACE Units 8 8 8 8
Peak Floating Point 5.07 TFlops 4.30 TFlops 3.38 TFlops 2.56 TFlops
Price $599 $399 $299 $229

Right idea wrong numbers. I would sugest everyone expect more out of the 8970 for sure... Much more than 20% increase perhaps?

[SKYMTL]

AMD Radeon HD 8950:
The other three cards mentioned include Hainan 28nm based HD 8950 which is based on a totally different architecture than the HD 8970.

Hate to burst your bubble but you are mixing up product categories. Oland, Bonaire and Hainan were always meant to be HD 7000-series products, also known as the HD 7690, HD 7790 and HD 7890. Under no circumstance was Hainan meant to take the leap into so-called GCN 2.0 territory. If it does make it into the "HD 8000" product stack, that would be seriously too bad.

The amount of misinformation being waved around here is truly incredible.

[rk7p5]

If these 8 series Amd cards launch at 1.2Ghz then these will be some seriously fast gpu's. Also if these speeds are correct, does this mean tsmc's 28nm process is much more refined? and will they have some decent overclocking headroom, like maybe 1.4ghz?

With this new competition and hopefully better drivers coming, i think i will hold off on buying a 780. I really don't like the way Nvidia's prices are going.

[Rollo]

If these 8 series Amd cards launch at 1.2Ghz then these will be some seriously fast gpu's. Also if these speeds are correct, does this mean tsmc's 28nm process is much more refined? and will they have some decent overclocking headroom, like maybe 1.4ghz?

With this new competition and hopefully better drivers coming, i think i will hold off on buying a 780. I really don't like the way Nvidia's prices are going.

If AMD puts out a 28nm part that can routinely clock to 1.4GHz without liquid nitrogen or other outrageous cooling, it would be along the lines of:

[raghu78]

AMD surely have created a mess with their code names. Why can't they keep it simple. Definitely a product stack refesh on 28nm is the most logical possibility. TSMC in their earnings call for Q1 2013 said 20nm will not be in volume production till Q2 2014 . so 20nm cards can be expected only in June - July 2014 at the earliest. this aligns well with Nvidia releasing GTX 700 series now. GTX 700 series should have a traditional 1 year life cycle before they are replaced with Maxwell. What remains to be seen is how fast AMD get their chips out. Any later than July - August 2013 for the refresh to Tahiti and Pitcairn would be too late. At this point nobody cares what the names of the chips - Volcanic Islands , Sea Islands etc. People just want competition.

Hopefully AMD clears the air soon. maybe they will

https://www.facebook.com/AMDGaming

"Only one more week until Computex in Taipei begins. We've got some special announcements planned so stay tuned!"

[boxleitnerb]

Hate to burst your bubble but you are mixing up product categories. Oland, Bonaire and Hainan were always meant to be HD 7000-series products, also known as the HD 7690, HD 7790 and HD 7890. Under no circumstance was Hainan meant to take the leap into so-called GCN 2.0 territory. If it does make it into the "HD 8000" product stack, that would be seriously too bad.

The amount of misinformation being waved around here is truly incredible.

Hainan is a mobile GPU. And isn't Oland used in the HD 8570 and 8670 (OEM)?

[paulbagz]

Hate to burst your bubble but you are mixing up product categories. Oland, Bonaire and Hainan were always meant to be HD 7000-series products, also known as the HD 7690, HD 7790 and HD 7890. Under no circumstance was Hainan meant to take the leap into so-called GCN 2.0 territory. If it does make it into the "HD 8000" product stack, that would be seriously too bad.

The amount of misinformation being waved around here is truly incredible.

Was re-posting WCCF, not my own information.

-PB

[Olivon]

WCCFTech is quoting (again!) the same Chiphell user who talked about a 20nm 4096SP chip called Hawaii.
Certainly a trustworthy source ...

[Lanek]

WCCFTech is quoting (again!) the same Chiphell user who talked about a 20nm 4096SP chip called Hawaii.
Certainly a trustworthy source ...

Its even worst, thoses exact specifications was allready " leaked " by chiphell and other current 2012 about the " sea Islands chips" when everybody was think AMD was release their next chips on the end of 2012, Q1 2013 ( include myself ).. This just look like re hash of old specs leaks.. maybe they was close to be true in 2012, but now .. who knows, what is doing AMD is just a pure mistery.

[Olivon]

It's almost 90% sure that AMD will go GCN 1.1 28nm Pitcairn/Tahiti refresh in oct-nov timeline.

[vitchilo]

They've been making 22nm cpu since late 2011.. not making GPU at 22nm by the end of 2013 is RIDICULOUS.

I know they want to use 20nm... but WHY?? Why can't they use the same CPU/GPU waffers already? Would save money and time... I know it's different companies and manufacturers and all but if the technology is there... everybody should be able to do it.

Funny stuff from 2001 :
http://electronicdesign.com/analog/2...ll-20-ghz-cpus

20-nm Transistors Foretell 20-GHz CPUs

Pursuing aggressive reduction techniques, Intel researchers in Santa Clara, Calif., have built transistors just 20 nm in size and foresee what they consider to be the world's fastest silicon transistors. This, they say, will allow them to build microprocessors with a billion transistors and 20-GHz speeds by 2007.

FAIIIIIIIIIIL. The only thing they had right was the number of transistors... but their prediction was way too early... we only reached the 1 billion transistor count in 2011.

[astrallite]

They've been making 22nm cpu since late 2011.. not making GPU at 22nm by the end of 2013 is RIDICULOUS.

I know they want to use 20nm... but WHY?? Why can't they use the same CPU/GPU waffers already? Would save money and time... I know it's different companies and manufacturers and all but if the technology is there... everybody should be able to do it.

Intel is ahead of TSMC and GloFlo but they have no interesting enabling their competitors, they have stated this multiple times. They are dominating in integrated graphics and have no interest in propping up the discrete market. Also the price of Intel wafers at 22nm is way more than TSMC's would be at 28nm, and will be far higher than projected costs of TSMC's 20nm wafers. TSMC does mass production, Intel only does high cost and small runs to third parties. No one uses Intel's fabs for cost effective solutions, because they aren't, they cost an arm and leg to be at the cutting edge.

[LordEC911]

This would make some sense.

Last year there were rumors of "8970" bringing a "just 20% increase over 7970" and having roughly those specs.

And then we saw people like LordEC911 posting "They're shooting for 75% over 7970!".

Both were likely true. AMD may well have had the 28nm "20% higher" chip in the works, and the "75% higher" chip to compete with Maxwell.

When they were saying "No new high end this year" it was probably because they saw no need to launch the 20% higher chip figuring customers for $1000 Titans and 690s were a small group. The 780/770 launch forced them to resurrect the 20% higher part. (which could well have been done by now and just need to be produced and packaged)

This seems to be the case.
"Hawaii" is the true successor to Tahiti and I don't think we will see it until late Q1, at the earliest. This was the part that is supposedly >60% faster than Tahiti.

Then there is a few other chips that are on their way out, that I referenced to before saying AMD had them in-house for over a month(supposedly sometime in March). I'm guessing these are the rumored "refresh" chips that are expect early Q4 '13.

[Tao~]

I doubt GCN 1.1 is enough to beat GTX 780 - what's the point of launching another new design if you'll have to rely on lower price + never settle bundle ?

They've been making 22nm cpu since late 2011.. not making GPU at 22nm by the end of 2013 is RIDICULOUS.
I know they want to use 20nm... but WHY?? Why can't they use the same CPU/GPU waffers already?

To put it simply: i7 3770K has the ~ same number of transistors as HD 7770 (Cape Verde)

[tbone8ty]

http://wccftech.com/amd-possibly-unv...eries-e3-2013/

[aussie-revhead]

Hopefully AMD clears the air soon. maybe they will

https://www.facebook.com/AMDGaming

"Only one more week until Computex in Taipei begins. We've got some special announcements planned so stay tuned!"

What was the "big news"?