AMD's RDNA 4 GPUs Set to Launch in Early 2025

AMD's Q3 2024 Earnings Call: What You Need to Know

Today's earnings call from AMD revealed a mixed bag of insights regarding gaming revenue, but it also confirmed exciting news for GPU enthusiasts. AMD CEO Lisa Su announced that the company is on track to launch its next-generation RDNA 4 graphics processing units (GPUs) in early 2025. This marks the first time AMD has publicly shared plans for these new graphics cards, highlighting the company's commitment to advancing gaming technology.

RDNA 4: A Powerful Upgrade

During the earnings call, Su emphasized that RDNA 4 GPUs would not only enhance gaming performance but also deliver significantly improved ray tracing capabilities and introduce new AI functionalities. The advancements signal AMD's push to stay relevant in a competitive market and cater to the growing demand for high-performance gaming.

Upcoming AMD Announcements

Supporting the anticipation around RDNA 4, there are rumors that AMD will unveil these graphics cards at CES 2025 in January. Alongside the RDNA 4 announcement, the company is expected to reveal new product lines, including:

• Strix Halo gaming notebook parts
• Fire Range gaming notebooks
• Ryzen Z2 handheld gaming chips

Decline in Gaming Revenue

Despite the hype surrounding RDNA 4, AMD is cautiously optimistic about its short-term gaming revenue. Su indicated that the company anticipates a continued decline in gaming revenue during this quarter. The aging PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles are contributing to this downturn. Interestingly, gaming now accounts for only 2% of AMD's overall revenue, while data centers have become the core focus, comprising over half of the company’s business.

The Shift Towards AI

As AMD gears up for future ventures, Su is shifting the company's emphasis from gaming to artificial intelligence (AI) solutions. She mentioned that after a decade of revitalizing AMD, her new mission is to position the company as a leader in end-to-end AI technology. With a strong commitment to AI, it is unlikely that AMD will release consumer-grade RDNA 4 products intended to compete head-to-head with Nvidia's top-tier graphics cards.

Conclusion

AMD's strategy is clear: while gaming revenue may face short-term challenges, the innovation associated with RDNA 4 and an unwavering focus on AI demonstrates a robust vision for the future. As CES 2025 approaches, all eyes will be on AMD to see how its next-generation GPUs and products unfold in this dynamic market.