Alleged AMD Radeon Navi PCB Leaked Revealing 256-bit GDDR6 Memory Interface
In a few more weeks, AMD may launch its upcoming Navi GPU architecture, alongside a new round of Ryzen processors based on Zen 2. Both architectures are being built on a 7-nanometer manufacturing process. Details keep leaking out ahead of both product releases, with the latest bit of information pointing to Navi's memory interface.
Leaked images that are claimed to be of the printed circuit board (PCB) on a Navi-based graphics card show eight DRAM memory packages surrounding the GPU. A closer examination reveals a ball grid array (BGA) with a 180 package size.
From that, we can deduce that Navi is running with GDDR6 memory. One of the reasons why that is interesting is because AMD has been turning to HBM and HBM2 memory for its Vega-based graphics cards. While we will have to wait and see how pricing shakes out, if the leaked PCB shots are legitimate, the use of GDDR6 could mean cheaper prices and wider availability, compared to AMD's Vega lineup.
[Baidu] 突然接到AMD的订单 https://t.co/cdFmj4DAIo pic.twitter.com/UkZNOQFdx5
— 比屋定さんの戯れ言@Komachi (@KOMACHI_ENSAKA) April 27, 2019
The arrangement of 8 single-sided DRAM packages is also telling—it essentially confirms a 256-bit memory interface. For comparison, NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 2080 and 2070 both have 8GB of GDDR6 memory and 256-bit memory interfaces (the GeForce RTX 2060 sports 6GB of GDDR6 memory on a 192-bit interface).
This supposed Navi card most likely has 8GB of memory as well, though 16GB is technically possible. We think the former is more likely though. Past rumors suggest that the first batch of Navi cards will offer mid-range performance, while a second generation of Navi GPUs will kick things up a notch. Second-gen Navi 20 is also where ray-tracing support is likely to land, if the PlayStation 5 is any indication.
There are a few other details we can discern. They include:
- 8-phase VRM
- Two PCIe power connectors (unknown if they will be 6-pin or 8-pin)
- 2x DisplayPort
- 1x HDMI
- USB-C
Over on YouTube, there is a detailed examination of the leaked PCB, which is worth checking out if you have around 17 minutes to spare. Here it is...
If the analysis is correct, this particular Navi card will be around 250W to 300W. How does that compare to current generation cards? Here's a breakdown:
- Radeon VII: 300W
- Radeon RX Vega 64: 295W
- Radeon RX Vega 56: 210W
- GeForce RTX 2080 Ti: 250W (260W for Founders Edition)
- GeForce RTX 2080: 215W (225W for Founders Edition)
- GeForce RTX 2070: 175W (185W for Founders Edition)
- GeForce RTX 2060: 160W
Granted, we don't know if these leaked images are legitimate, and even if they are, they could be indicative of an earlier design. Still, it gives us something to examine ahead of the actual launch, which could come during Computex in June.
Top Image Source: Twitter via Komachi
