AMD demonstrates 28nm GPUs

Nick Mertes 6 Oct, 2011 at 2:08pm ET Article published in Tech

This image makes no actual sense

We all know they’re coming. It happens every year. A new batch of GPUs arrives, doing ALL THE THINGS more efficiently than the previous generation as well as adding a new set of tricks.

Recently, that next generation was demonstrated by Corporate Vice President and General Manager of AMD’s Graphics Division, Matt Skynner, at their Fusion 2011 event in Taipei. While many details were not revealed (including almost everything), what is known is that the new GPUs are based on a 28nm process, the demonstration part was a mobile variant, and it was playing Dragon Age II quite well at high resolutions.

AMD strives to be at the forefront of every key inflection point in graphics technology, as demonstrated by our leadership in everything from process node transitions, to adoption of the latest graphics memory,” said Skynner. “Our pace-setting transition to the 28nm process node, coupled with new innovations in our underlying graphics architecture, is already generating excitement among the ODM community here in Taipei this week.”

The demonstration addresses rumors of problems with the 28nm process, which were alleged to cause a delayed release until sometime in 2012.  The process size is a first for GPUs—both AMD and NVIDIA are using this process for their respective lineups—so delays due to a learning curve are to be expected. Whether the demonstration means the whole lineup will be on time remains to be seen.

While no concrete data is available, it can be assumed based on the current naming scheme, the new GPUs will be members of the Radeon HD 7000 series and availability will be sometime before Christmas.

Comments

1. 
   6 Oct 2011 ~ 2:15pm BuddyJ That should be their marketing slogan:
   
   Do ALL THE THINGS. Smaller.
2. 
   6 Oct 2011 ~ 2:32pm UPSLynx I don't even the feature image.
3. 
   6 Oct 2011 ~ 2:43pm PirateNinja AMD is developing new technologies that we can creatively use in our careers to help solidify our retirement accounts, duh.
4. 
   6 Oct 2011 ~ 3:16pm Cliff_Forster I thought the old couple was rendered via the new 28nm process? No??
5. 
   6 Oct 2011 ~ 3:49pm Bandrik Thanks, AMD!
   
   Wait, old people, what?
6. 
   6 Oct 2011 ~ 4:25pm Ryder Did you read the caption?
7. 
   6 Oct 2011 ~ 5:44pm Tim The new GPUs will HAVE to be in the 7000 series, unless they intend to name them 6991, 6992, 6993, etc.
   
   I'm looking to get a 7000 series GPU for my new gaming PC that isn't built yet, but it better be actual SIGNIFICANT hardware upgrades and none of this name changing BS like what they pulled with the 6000 series from the 5000 series.
8. 
   6 Oct 2011 ~ 6:07pm fatcat keep the 4870 you have, it does IE just fine
9. 
   6 Oct 2011 ~ 6:10pm Tushon

   Tim wrote:

   The new GPUs will HAVE to be in the 7000 series, unless they intend to name them 6991, 6992, 6993, etc.
   
   I'm looking to get a 7000 series GPU for my new gaming PC that isn't built yet, but it better be actual SIGNIFICANT hardware upgrades and none of this name changing BS like what they pulled with the 6000 series from the 5000 series.

   
   *irk irk * eye twitches * irk*
10. 
    8 Oct 2011 ~ 10:48pm storrm whens nvida moving to 28nm? only new thing from nvidia i know of is the gtx 590
11. 
    9 Oct 2011 ~ 3:55am Sledgehammer70 AMD will be first to have 28nm parts. I am sure the 6xx series is around the corner. either or I am in laptop land and can bow away from both
    
    But I do hope we see another jump in performance. But overall we lack new games that will push current tech. Maybe the new Metro will bring some heat graphically again