The fact that AMD is working on new Radeon graphics cards is an open secret at this point, but the company’s kept shtum regarding any official acknowledgement. However, an update to its ROCm Software confirms that we should soon expect RX 8800 and 8600 graphics cards in the near future.
In a nutshell, ROCm is a software stack that developers use to optimise their applications for Radeon and Instinct graphics cards. Support for new architectures and models naturally requires developer input, with contributors frequently sharing amends via Github changelogs. It’s here that references to ‘gfx12_rx8800’ and ‘gfx12_rx8600’ appear.
These entries appear alongside ‘gfx11_rx7900’, cementing that ‘gfx12’ refers to a new architecture and that ‘rx8800/rx8600’ describe a families of graphics cards rather than individual models. If the signs weren’t already so plain to see, part of the changelog explicitly reads ‘add nav4x arch’. This is a direct callout to the Navi 4X GPUs expected to power next-generation Radeon.
Save the date 🗓️
Join us for the @AMD Press Event on Monday, January 6, at 11 AM PT.
Excited to share the stage with some incredible special guests as we unveil our next generation of innovation across gaming, AI PC, and commercial. You won’t want to miss it! 🎮💻✨
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— Jack Huynh (@JackMHuynh) December 3, 2024
AMD computing and graphics group senior vice president and GM, Jack Huynh recently confirmed that the company will hold a press conference during CES 2025 on January 6. If the company’s ready to reveal official details about Radeon RX 8800 and 8600 graphics cards, this’d be the place.
In the meantime, there are plenty of leaks and rumours to mull over. Earlier this year, alleged details of three Navi 4X GPUs emerged and suggest that AMD has three Radeon RX 8000 in the works. Given how similar two of the dies are, I expect we’ll see two 8800 models and a single 8600 come launch.
Given recent efficiency and performance estimates for a would-be Radeon RX 8800 XT, AMD could be cooking up something special with this generation of graphics cards. However, it’ll face competition from Intel Arc B580 on the lower-end of the price spectrum and Nvidia GeForce RTX 50 series elsewhere.
It’s fantastic to see the graphics card space heating up again, and I truly hope both AMD and Intel can make a dent in the seemingly impregnable market dominance Nvidia currently enjoys. Competition is to the benefit of consumers. With this in mind, let the games begin!
