Nvidia’s RTX 4080 is purportedly getting a brand new spin on the GPU which might scale back the fee – however any value discount will probably be very minor, sadly, if it occurs in any respect.
Tom’s Hardware (opens in new tab) flagged up this rumor – and deal with it with warning, as with something from the ever-spinning mill – that originated from HKEPC (opens in new tab) (a tech website in Hong Kong), claiming that whereas the present RTX 4080 graphics card is constructed on the AD103-300 chip, Nvidia goes to make use of a barely completely different GPU sooner or later, particularly AD103-301.
There’s now extra proof that is truly occurring, Tom’s factors out: graphics card maker Galax has the GPU as ‘AD103-300/301’ underneath its RTX 4080 product particulars lists.
Moreover, VideoCardz (opens in new tab), which additionally picked up on this, informs us that one other card maker Gainward has additionally listed the up to date GPU variant AD103-301 in its product specs.
With two separate third-party graphics card makers mentioning this new spin on the GPU of their specs, it appears fairly probably that is truly occurring – however after all it stays to be confirmed by Nvidia.
HKEPC makes an additional declare that the inbound RTX 4070 (the vanilla model of the RTX 4070 Ti, which has simply been unveiled) may additionally take the method of getting two completely different chips, which on this case would theoretically be AD104-250 and AD104-251. The distinction is the previous supposedly makes use of a comparator circuit, however the latter doesn’t, and would use a unique circuit board, doubtlessly decreasing the price of making the cardboard.
The identical is true of the RTX 4080 and new AD103-301, with it doubtlessly decreasing the price of constructing it (the BOM or invoice of supplies because it’s recognized within the business). The important thing query is, if all this pans out for each or both GPUs, how less expensive would possibly the second variants truly be?
Evaluation: Will this imply cheaper graphics playing cards – or is {that a} false hope?
HKEPC reckons that the fee hole between the supposed completely different variations of the RTX 4070 may very well be as little as $1 when it comes to the invoice of supplies, which is clearly a tiny quantity, and sure wouldn’t make a jot of distinction to the worth that the patron pays. A supply that VideoCardz tapped additionally claims that any value distinction wouldn’t be important.
We aren’t given any determine for the potential distinction in the price of making the RTX 4080 variations, however the brand new AD103-301 would possibly decrease the invoice to a larger extent, and maybe imply the graphics card does get cheaper for the patron. Nevertheless, it may be a equally very minor discount within the BOM, which might probably do little to have an effect on the worth of the second spin on the RTX 4080.
Time will inform, however given Nvidia’s stance on pricing with Lovelace GPUs general, it’s onerous to be in any respect optimistic.
One other query is given the change to the RTX 4080 chip, would this have an effect on efficiency? The rumor mill is fairly clear in its assertion that it wouldn’t, and the AD103-301 chip is not going to be any extra performant than the prevailing AD103-300. That is smart, as Nvidia would presumably be cautious of dropping a dose of purchaser’s regret on those that’ve already forked out for an RTX 4080, and splashed a big wedge of money to take action.
The general upshot of that is prone to be graphics playing cards with the identical efficiency stage – or so related as to be negligible – and slight financial savings for the board makers, that probably received’t be handed on to shoppers. Hopefully a extra favorable scenario might pan out, although, cost-wise, so hold your fingers crossed in the event you’re out there for a high-end GPU.