As we get closer and closer to the reveals of next-gen graphics cards from Nvidia and AMD, rumors have been aplenty online. One of the biggest and most controversial rumors though is the idea that next-gen GPUs will have significantly higher power draws, and AMD recently nigh but confirmed their RX 7000 graphics cards will likely have higher power draws…
Speaking in a recent interview the Senior Vice President at AMD, Sam Naffziger, said that “the demand for gaming and compute performance is, if anything, just accelerating,” however, the technology powering it is slowing down in terms of improvement rate, and so “the power levels are just going to keep going up.”
But it’s the next part that is really interesting for those excited for the RX 7000 series GPUs: “performance is king,” Naffziger added. “but even if our designs are more power-efficient, that doesn't mean you don't push power levels up if the competition is doing the same thing. It's just that they'll have to push them a lot higher than we will.”
It’s not an exact confirmation, but with the rumors that Nvidia’s RTX 40 series coil reach power limits of 600W-850W, it seems that AMD is willing to up their power draws as well. But their last sentence also indicates that AMD believes their graphics cards are more power efficient than Nvidia: “they'll have to push them a lot higher than we will.”
AMD also recently stated that the RX 7000 series would have up to a 50% performance per watt increase over the RX 6000 series. So, theoretically then, we could see a potential RX 7900 XT reaching double the performance of an RX 6900 XT. Considering the latter is currently rated at 300W, and the next generation will likely have higher TDPs, anywhere between 50%-100% extra performance is more than likely, depending on the card.
It could be that Nvidia will still want to take the ‘fastest gaming GPU’ crown and ramp up their flagship cards beyond 450W, and knowing what AMD just said about their efficiency, 450W could be their maximum target. But we’ll never know for sure until AMD finally reveals the RX 7000 series in a few months time.
What do you think? Are you excited for the RX 7000 series? How do you feel about increased power draws? Will you have to buy a new PSU to accommodate it? And how much higher do you think the TDPs will be for Nvidia and AMD? Let us know!
Login or Register to join the debate
PC Specs
Electricity isn't getting any cheaper.
PC Specs
And MSRP as well. That will increase because of course it will
PC Specs
Well I expect huge die sizes or multiple medium ones, it's impossible for them not to increase the MSRP, we are going to get 3-4 new classes of GPUs at the top end. What used to be top-end will be mid-range, but NOT cheaper.
The other option is that they'll push clocks to oblivion.
Either way, even if they release bigger than ever GPUs, their profit margins will be too high just like they've been since 2016 for Nvidia and 2019 for AMD.
PC Specs
With both increasing TDP, one can assume that they are pushing clock speeds to oblivion.
PC Specs
Any idea on what sort of performance numbers can we expect? I mean there has been an improvement in the manufacturing process sure not a major one compared to previous gens but an improvement none the less and now we are talking about crazy power increase. What sort of performance can be expected? 50-60%increase? For real?
PC Specs
Unless you work as an engineer working for Nvidia/AMD GPUs. No one knows, most of the leakers keep throwing !^%#e at the wall until something maybe sticks, earning credit.... Just a cycle of hype round and round it goes... Once a legitimate review outlet releases their numbers, you will know.
PC Specs
We will see, nVidia seems to be going all out on power, though considering some rumors, I do think some it is overexaggerated. But still, it seems like they don't believe they got efficiency increase they need to compete, so they will pump up power. AMD seems to be doing better on efficiency thing, but probably they also are worried just how far nVidia is willing to push it. Personally I will still stick to my 650W PSU, I don't plan to buy high end anyway and I do think midrange will not be that bad. Especially on AMD side, if nVidia messes up with it, I would be willing to switch to AMD again. Beauty of competition. :-D
PC Specs
Well im still arguing with myself if i should buy now a 6800/XT or just wait and see what the new radeon has in store. But i dont want to deal with so much wattage even if you underclock we cant have no guarantee it will be enough. Myself have a Asus 850w platinum psu and i dont want buy something new. Or try wait for Navi32
PC Specs
At this point you lose nothing waiting 3/4 months, As the new cards come out they will want to get rid of old stock and nothing moves stock like a discount.
PC Specs
I agree with zenmaster on this one completely.
PC Specs
I agree with zenmaster on this one completely.
PC Specs
Already have a 2 month old RM1000x that i bought to replace my aging RM1000, so no need for anything bigger. I usually cap my fps in some games anyways as i don't see a need in getting 144fps in a game like Planet Zoo so power draw will be alright. At 3440x1440 my vega 64 is going to be maxed out in most games power wise. I think raft maxed out at 60fps uses about 220w while watercooled so.
PC Specs
The real question will be if AMD will make enough GPUs for anyone to care? Steam survey shows that AMD only holds 1/4 of the whole market... even having performance parity changed nothing...if anything NVIDIA was able to out produce them by a mile. 2 things need to happen, they need to undercut and at least produce numbers close enough or keep losing market share...
PC Specs
thats a lot of assumptions out of rumours and claims. I will wait for benchmarks.
PC Specs
I'm really committed to building in the nr200. It will be interesting if the new CPUs will need a 280 AIO and will a new 3 slot GPU be enough to double my 1080ti performance.
PC Specs
let's contribute to the western European countries NOT having electricity this winter. XD
PC Specs
We're going back to burning coal. There's enough, but it'll be expensive. At least a computer is an all-in-one system (besides air conditioning and cooling).
PC Specs
Got nuclear here in France, i think we might have to sell some lol.
PC Specs
We were forced to close our Nuclear Reactor and stop the building of our second nuclear reactor by the EU... those damn bastards...