Various Radeon RX 500 Series Graphics Cards Start Getting Listed

[btarunr]

It looks like AMD Radeon RX 500 series SKUs, such as the RX 580, RX 570, and RX 550, will launch later this month after all, with various ASUS and Sapphire branded SKUs getting listed on popular online stores. While predictably, these SKUs are overpriced on account of pre-launch orders, these are widely expected to be re-brands of the RX 480, RX 470, and RX 460, with slightly higher reference clock speeds, and improved power delivery.

ASUS is readying at least six SKUs based on this series, including two RX 580 8 GB STRIX models, two RX 570 4 GB STRIX models, and two RX 550 SKUs with 4 GB and 2 GB memory amounts. Sapphire, on the other hand, has a gargantuan 12 SKUs based on the three chips, including 8 GB and 4 GB variants of both the RX 580 and RX 570, both 4 GB and 2 GB variants of the RX 550, and two new brand extensions - Pulse and Mini, besides its iconic NITRO+ series.



The list of SKUs follows.

ASUS

• ASUS ROG STRIX RX 580 8GB (ROG-STRIX-RX580-8G-GAMING)
• ASUS ROG STRIX RX 580 8GB OC (ROG-STRIX-RX580-O8G-GAMING)
• ASUS ROG STRIX RX 570 4GB (ROG-STRIX-RX570-4G-GAMING)
• ASUS ROG STRIX RX 570 4GB OC (ROG-STRIX-RX570-O4G-GAMING)
• ASUS RX 550 2GB (RX550-2G)
• ASUS RX 550 4GB (RX550-4G)

Sapphire

• Sapphire RADEON RX 580 8GB GDDR5 NITRO + 2xHDMI DVI-D 2XDP W / BP LE IN (11265-00-40G)
• Sapphire RADEON RX 580 8GB GDDR5 PULSE 2xHDMI DVI-D 2XDP OC W / BP IN (11265-05-20G)
• Sapphire RADEON RX 580 8GB GDDR5 NITRO + 2xHDMI DVI-D 2XDP W / BP IN (11265-01-20G)
• Sapphire RADEON RX 580 4GB GDDR5 NITRO + 2xHDMI DVI-D 2XDP W / BP IN (11265-07-20G)
• Sapphire RADEON RX 580 4GB GDDR5 PULSE 2xHDMI DVI-D 2XDP OC W / BP IN (11265-09-20G)
• Sapphire RADEON RX 570 4GB GDDR5 NITRO + 2xHDMI DVI-D 2XDP W / BP IN (11266-14-20G)
• Sapphire RADEON RX 570 8GB GDDR5 NITRO + 2xHDMI DVI-D 2XDP W / BP IN (11266-09-20G)
• Sapphire RADEON RX 570 MINI 4GB GDDR5 HDMI DVI-D DP PULSE IN (1266-06-20G)
• Sapphire RADEON RX 570 4GB GDDR5 PULSE 2xHDMI DVI-D 2XDP OC W / BP IN (11266-04-20G)
• Sapphire RADEON RX 550 4GB GDDR5 PULSE HDMI DVI-D DP IN (11268-01-20G)
• Sapphire RADEON RX 550 2GB GDDR5 PULSE HDMI DVI-D DP IN (11268-03-20G)

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[VulkanBros]

I kind of like the priceing - if true

 

[ShurikN]

More expensive than the RX480

I sense a huge fail. Unless those chips clock like crazy (which i doubt).

 

[Ungari]

More expensive than the RX480

I sense a huge fail. Unless those chips clock like crazy (which i doubt).

What kind of OCs would be worth the pricing to you?

 

[diatribe]

I kind of like the priceing - if true

They're essentially the re-branded 400 series. Why would you like the pricing of something that is only re-badged and marked up? Just by the equivalent 400 series and laugh at all of the fools wasting money on a badge.

 

[Ungari]

They're essentially the re-branded 400 series. Why would you like the pricing of something that is only re-badged and marked up? Just by the equivalent 400 series and laugh at all of the fools wasting money on a badge.

How do you know that it's just a rebadge and not a refresh of the process yielding better performance?

 

[ShurikN]

What kind of OCs would be worth the pricing to you?

At least 1500 @ less than 150W. You can get a 480 to 1400MHz for less money than this.

 

[Ungari]

At least 1500 @ less than 150W. You can get a 480 to 1400MHz for less money than this.

It was those chips that had the lowest power draw that were able to achieve the highest clocks on air. For Polaris to do 1500Mhz it would have to be way less than 150W, so don't worry.
If this is in fact a refresh that yields a higher percentage of the best binned silicon, then it may be possible as currently the best 400 series chips are being reserved for commercial application in their embedded solutions.
These chips have very low power requirements for reduced thermals in small enclosures.
Now, I don't know if this is a refresh, but then neither do the naysayers. I anticipate that it will be a refresh as there has been time to refine the production and get better yields.
I think we should wait to see if the higher prices are justified before going negative.

@VulkanBros
Thanks for the link.

AMD is preparing new SKUs based on its "Polaris 10" silicon, which are built on a more refined 14 nm FinFET process, to facilitate higher GPU clock speeds, and improved energy efficiency. These include the Radeon RX 580 and the Radeon RX 570. The reference-design boards of the two were pictured, and aren't strictly "rebadged" RX 480 and RX 470. The two feature higher clocks, and are supported by a redesigned VRM.

 

[VulkanBros]

They're essentially the re-branded 400 series. Why would you like the pricing of something that is only re-badged and marked up? Just by the equivalent 400 series and laugh at all of the fools wasting money on a badge.

READ: https://www.techpowerup.com/231994/amd-polaris-based-radeon-rx-570-and-rx-580-pictured

 

[uuuaaaaaa]

This sounds like it is built on Polaris 10 XT2.

 

[RejZoR]

If the process is refined enough to allow some larger overclocks, then it's still a fairly decent option. But the problem remains, mid to high range won't have any real gains this generation which kinda sucks.

 

[bug]

What kind of OCs would be worth the pricing to you?

Pretty much none, since overclocking is not guaranteed. The asking price is for the base product and the base product is the same as last year's product.
On top of that, there's no rational reason for AMD to be sitting on a highly overclockable chip and at the same time only sell it clocked less than 100MHz (margin of error really) higher than previous generation.

 

[Ungari]

If the process is refined enough to allow some larger overclocks, then it's still a fairly decent option. But the problem remains, mid to high range won't have any real gains this generation which kinda sucks.

This isn't the same as Intel with very small performance gains using similar architecture. Polaris when it launched only last summer gave what was previously mid-tier enthusiast performance to the sub-$300 price point.
I thinks it's way too early to expect another quantum jump from AMD at this level, maybe with Vega 2.0.

Pretty much none, since overclocking is not guaranteed. The asking price is for the base product and the base product is the same as last year's product.
On top of that, there's no rational reason for AMD to be sitting on a highly overclockable chip and at the same time only sell it clocked less than 100MHz (margin of error really) higher than previous generation.

Polaris RX 480 is currently OCing 185Mhz over stock on Air. If the same OC increase is possible at the new stock clock, 1525Mhz will be around what we can expect.

 

[medi01]

I sense a huge fail.

470 already wipes the floor with 1050Ti.
570 comes with about 6% gpu clock bump.

480 is on par in DX11 better in DX12 than 1060 6Gb (and doesn't ask you to sell your kidney to buy an adaptive sync monitor)
580 comes with another 6% gpu clock bump.

Consumer Volta is nearly a year away.
I fail to see fail, let alone huge fail, fainboi much?

 

[Ungari]

470 already wipes the floor with 1050Ti.
570 comes with about 6% gpu clock bump.

480 is on par in DX11 better in DX12 than 1060 6Gb (and doesn't ask you to sell your kidney to buy an adaptive sync monitor)
580 comes with another 6% gpu clock bump.

Consumer Volta is nearly a year away.
I fail to see fail, let alone huge fail, fainboi much?

At least we aren't having "The Power Consumption! Oh, the Power Consumption!" parroted anymore.

 

[ShurikN]

470 already wipes the floor with 1050Ti.
570 comes with about 6% gpu clock bump.

480 is on par in DX11 better in DX12 than 1060 6Gb (and doesn't ask you to sell your kidney to buy an adaptive sync monitor)
580 comes with another 6% gpu clock bump.

Consumer Volta is nearly a year away.
I fail to see fail, let alone huge fail, fainboi much?

Fanboi?... last non amd/ati pc I had was a P3 Tualatin and a MX440. Since then I owned a 2500 barton, A64 3200, AII X4 640, 9600pro, X800XT, HD3650, HD7770. I'm a fan of AMD, but I'm also realistic.
If it's just a rebrand at those prices, YES it's a fail. As all rebrands are by default.
If the process got refined and we can hit more clock for less power, then fine by me. But no info is given so far aside from a very small clock bump.
We shall see. For the first time in probably 10 years I'm not optimistic for an AMD card.

 

[medi01]

Fanboi?... last non amd/ati pc I had was a P3 Tualatin and a MX440. Since then I owned a 2500 barton, A64 3200, AII X4 640, 9600pro, X800XT, HD3650, HD7770. I'm a fan of AMD, but I'm also realistic.
If it's just a rebrand at those prices, YES it's a fail. As all rebrands are by default.
If the process got refined and we can hit more clock for less power, then fine by me. But no info is given so far aside from a very small clock bump.
We shall see. For the first time in probably 10 years I'm not optimistic for an AMD card.

Clock bump is 5-6%-ish. Is that small? I'd say ok for rebrand.
The problem with 480 is mixed bag reviews, some using throttling ref cards and what not, 580 will reset that.

 

[bug]

Clock bump is 5-6%-ish. Is that small? I'd say ok for rebrand.
The problem with 480 is mixed bag reviews, some using throttling ref cards and what not, 580 will reset that.

The asking price seems to be bumped well above 5-6% though.

Edit: 6% means:

RX480 => RX580
20fps => 21.2fps
50fps => 53fps
60fps => 63.6fps
100fps => 106fps

I.e. doesn't make any previously unplayable title playable.

 

[ShurikN]

580 will reset that.

580 MAY reset that. We know jack shit about these cards.

 

[Ungari]

580 MAY reset that. We know jack shit about these cards.

Exactly right.
That is why I see no reason to be so negative about this release.
Others, and myself included, have been looking forward to a refresh that will yield more top binned silicon to be available to mainstream users as we know that Polaris is capable of much higher performance.

 

[Vayra86]

The asking price seems to be bumped well above 5-6% though.

Edit: 6% means:

RX480 => RX580
20fps => 21.2fps
50fps => 53fps
60fps => 63.6fps
100fps => 106fps

I.e. doesn't make any previously unplayable title playable.

Exactly, I don't see this going anywhere tbh, because ingame gains will definitely not be 6% even. I've learned by now to judge the cards by their basic (stock / auto OC/boost) performance, because that's what is guaranteed and that is the measure they are going to be taken by, not the exotic OC of the small minority. That's just a bonus, sort of.

 

[TheinsanegamerN]

YAY FOR MORE REBRANDEON!

Seriously AMD, you dont compete outside of the lower mid range for a year, and this is what you have to offer? The same garbage for another year? No bigger polaris chip for those of us that want more power? Instead, AMD is continuing to ignore the lucrative upper mid range and high end segments, giving nvidia more time alone at the buffet table.

yes, I know that vega is on it's way, but I somehow dont believe that AMD is going to be releasing a HBM2 card at $300-$330 anytime soon. By the time that VEGA actually releases, nvidia will be prepping the next gen geforce chips (2xxx series? I dunno) and AMD will fall further behind.

Exactly right.
That is why I see no reason to be so negative about this release.
Others, and myself included, have been looking forward to a refresh that will yield more top binned silicon to be available to mainstream users as we know that Polaris is capable of much higher performance.

How about AMD going into it's 2nd year of not competing with more then half of nvidia's lineup, leaving those with higher graphics demand with a single vendor, while charging similar prices for rebrands?

AMD did this with the 300 series, and it backfired. My guess is that it wont be so bad this time, but it isnt going to pump up AMD's revenue much either.

 

[Vayra86]

YAY FOR MORE REBRANDEON!

Seriously AMD, you dont compete outside of the lower mid range for a year, and this is what you have to offer? The same garbage for another year? No bigger polaris chip for those of us that want more power? Instead, AMD is continuing to ignore the lucrative upper mid range and high end segments, giving nvidia more time alone at the buffet table.

yes, I know that vega is on it's way, but I somehow dont believe that AMD is going to be releasing a HBM2 card at $300-$330 anytime soon. By the time that VEGA actually releases, nvidia will be prepping the next gen geforce chips (2xxx series? I dunno) and AMD will fall further behind.


How about AMD going into it's 2nd year of not competing with more then half of nvidia's lineup, leaving those with higher graphics demand with a single vendor, while charging similar prices for rebrands?

AMD did this with the 300 series, and it backfired. My guess is that it wont be so bad this time, but it isnt going to pump up AMD's revenue much either.

What the hell are you talking about? VEGA at 300-330 bucks? That was never in anyone's sane mind in the first place. Especially not, because RX480 is already close to that price point and 5xx will be even closer to it...

Rebrandeon? Nvidia had as many rebrands over the years as its competitor. They just hide them better. Also, mid range with Nvidia will be stagnant for a while, so there really isn't a reason not to take a small incremental step today. The rebrand from 2xx to 3xx I'll give you, that was nonsensical. But this year there is a serious competition going on between 1060 6GB and RX 480 and its a battle where AMD could really use a slightly more convincing product to win it.

Nvidia's Volta is far, far away still and another version of Pascal seems unlikely.

VEGA is really close to release.

 

[bug]

What the hell are you talking about? VEGA at 300-330 bucks? That was never in anyone's sane mind in the first place. Especially not, because RX480 is already close to that price point and 5xx will be even closer to it...

Rebrandeon? Nvidia had as many rebrands over the years as its competitor. They just hide them better. Also, mid range with Nvidia will be stagnant for a while, so there really isn't a reason not to take a small incremental step today. The rebrand from 2xx to 3xx I'll give you, that was nonsensical. But this year there is a serious competition going on between 1060 6GB and RX 480 and its a battle where AMD could really use a slightly more convincing product to win it.

Nvidia's Volta is far, far away still and another version of Pascal seems unlikely.

VEGA is really close to release.

Whatever rebrands Nvidia may have had, you could always look at the leading digit and know what chip generation you were getting. You can't do that with ATI/AMD

 

[TheinsanegamerN]

What the hell are you talking about? VEGA at 300-330 bucks? That was never in anyone's sane mind in the first place. Especially not, because RX480 is already close to that price point and 5xx will be even closer to it...

Rebrandeon? Nvidia had as many rebrands over the years as its competitor. They just hide them better. Also, mid range with Nvidia will be stagnant for a while, so there really isn't a reason not to take a small incremental step today. The rebrand from 2xx to 3xx I'll give you, that was nonsensical. But this year there is a serious competition going on between 1060 6GB and RX 480 and its a battle where AMD could really use a slightly more convincing product to win it.

Nvidia's Volta is far, far away still and another version of Pascal seems unlikely.

VEGA is really close to release.

The point is that if the 480 is their midrange competitor, they are not going anywhere. We have not had any real competition outside of the low mid range. When VEGA actually comes out, how fast will it be? The most concrete "evidence" is somewhere between the 1070 and 1080. AMD isnt going to be charging $500 for a card that meets the 1.5 year old performance of a $500 1080. $400 at most, considering how cheap the 1070 is right now.

Nvidia's rebrands were almost always low end low margin parts. Mid range rebrands are rare. I can think of one (the excellent 9800GTX to GTS 250) off of the top of my head (and see, that was high end to mid range, not mid range to mid range like the 480 to 580). AMD, meanwhile, is rebranding their best 400 series chips. Which isnt saying much, but still, AMD is going in with nothing ATM. The 500 series, at 400 series prices, is going to be overpriced for what you get, and unless vega is some magical unicorn chip, nvidia is going to have another year of unopposed sales.

And I dont put a pascal refresh in the realm of impossibility. Their is room for improvement, and I could see nvidia using that room to deliver cheaper parts to keep AMD down.