AMD gave details on its next GPU architecture at AFDS, goes Scalar and Out of Order.

[Cerb]

Even if the theoretical maximum graphics performance takes a dip with this new architecture, it's not a big deal. For the vast majority of games you need to run a three monitor set-up in order to tax the really high-end cards.

It's disingenuous to assume that things will remain that way, but there aren't too many games on the horizon that will tax a 580 or 6990 at 1080p. By the time we get to that point, the next generation of cards will likely be able to handle them quite well.

For the small portion of users who will get anything priced that high, that would be true. They are quite a minority, however. IGP, low-end, and mid-range cards matter far more, and they can be taxed pretty well by existing games, at common resolutions.

 

[Elfear]

Even if the theoretical maximum graphics performance takes a dip with this new architecture, it's not a big deal. For the vast majority of games you need to run a three monitor set-up in order to tax the really high-end cards.

It's disingenuous to assume that things will remain that way, but there aren't too many games on the horizon that will tax a 580 or 6990 at 1080p. By the time we get to that point, the next generation of cards will likely be able to handle them quite well.

Most of the mid-range cards these days will run 1080p just fine. We need the high-end cards to run 1600p or multiple screens at decent frames. If we only get another mediocre increase in performance from the 6900 to 7900 series (like we saw with 5800 to 6900 series), many people will be disappointed. We can use the extra horsepower for the high-end cards.

 

[3DVagabond]

For the small portion of users who will get anything priced that high, that would be true. They are quite a minority, however. IGP, low-end, and mid-range cards matter far more, and they can be taxed pretty well by existing games, at common resolutions.

I would imagine the shrink will bump performance enough to make mid-range cards powerful enough. On 28nm the 6900's should be mid-range level.

 

[frozentundra123456]

I would hope not, because that would put AMD with 2009 tech heading into 2012.

Oh, you mean like their CPUs are also???