AMD's Four Horsemen: RX 490/480/470 & Vega

AMD's Four Horsemen: RX 490/480/470 & Vega

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. The RX 480: A Game Changer in the GPU Market 2.1. Killer Price-Performance Ratio 2.2. VR-Ready and Power Efficient 2.3. Competing with Nvidia
3. AMD's Focus on Price Segments 3.1. Expanding the $100-$300 Price Range 3.2. The RX 470: Filling the Lower Segment 3.3. The Possibility of an RX 490
4. The Impact on AMD's Market Share 4.1. Targeting the Masses with Affordable Pricing 4.2. Gaining Customer Loyalty and Increasing Market Cap
5. Looking Towards the Future: Zen and Vega 5.1. Zen: AMD's High-Performance Computing CPU 5.2. Vega: The Successor to Fiji
6. Conclusion

The RX 480: A Game Changer in the GPU Market

The graphics card market has been revolutionized by the introduction of the RX 480 by AMD. With its killer price-performance ratio, this GPU is set to disrupt the industry. Priced at $199, the RX 480 offers performance that rivals that of the GTX 980, making it an affordable option for gamers and VR enthusiasts alike. Additionally, the RX 480 boasts impressive power efficiency, thanks to its 14-nanometer FinFET process and Polaris architecture.

Killer Price-Performance Ratio

One of the standout features of the RX 480 is its excellent price-performance ratio. Priced at just $199, this GPU delivers performance that competes with much higher-priced models. With over five teraflops of computing power, the RX 480 is a force to be reckoned with in its price range. This makes it the perfect choice for budget-conscious gamers who want to experience virtual reality without breaking the bank.

VR-Ready and Power Efficient

In addition to its price-performance ratio, the RX 480 is also VR-ready and highly power-efficient. This GPU is designed to deliver an immersive virtual reality experience, making it an appealing option for gamers who want to explore the world of VR. Furthermore, AMD has managed to achieve impressive power efficiency with the RX 480, boasting a performance per watt that surpasses its competitors. This makes the RX 480 a compelling choice for those who value energy efficiency in their graphics card.

Competing with Nvidia

With the release of the RX 480, AMD has managed to strike at Nvidia where it is weak. Priced significantly lower than the GTX 1070 and GTX 1080, the RX 480 dominates the competition at the $200 price level. By offering a high-performance GPU at an affordable price, AMD has positioned itself as a formidable competitor to Nvidia. This move has been well-received by consumers and has put pressure on Nvidia to respond with comparable offerings.

AMD's Focus on Price Segments

AMD has made it a priority to cater to a wide range of price segments within the GPU market. In addition to the RX 480, the company has also introduced the RX 470 to fill the lower end of the $100-$300 price range. While performance details are speculative at this point, it is anticipated that the RX 470 will offer a 25% reduction in performance compared to its higher-priced counterpart. However, at a price of $150, the RX 470 is still an impressive graphics card that provides excellent value for its price.

The Possibility of an RX 490

Rumors have been circulating about the possibility of an RX 490, which would fill the void at the $300 price point. Given the success of the RX 480 and its low power consumption, it is highly likely that AMD will release an RX 490 in the near future. With more compute units, shaders, and power allowance, the RX 490 would be a formidable $300 graphics card that competes directly with Nvidia's offerings. This move would further solidify AMD's position in the market and help them acquire more customers.

The Impact on AMD's Market Share

By focusing on affordable pricing and targeting the $100-$300 price range, AMD has made a strategic move to target a larger customer base. With the majority of gamers purchasing graphics cards within this price range, it is a smart decision to offer high-performance GPUs that deliver exceptional value for the price. While profit margins may be slimmer, this strategy allows AMD to gain market share and develop customer loyalty. Furthermore, it has the potential to increase AMD's overall market capitalization and make them a stronger competitor to Nvidia.

Looking Towards the Future: Zen and Vega

In addition to the Four Horsemen of graphics, AMD is also gearing up for the release of Zen and Vega. Zen is AMD's high-performance computing CPU that aims to challenge Intel's dominance in the market. With its lower margins and higher market share strategy, AMD hopes to achieve profitability and drive growth with Zen. Furthermore, Vega, the successor to Fiji, is set to go head-to-head with Nvidia's Big Pascal in 2017. These future releases indicate that AMD is not only focused on graphics but is also committed to expanding its presence in other segments of the market.

Conclusion

With the release of the RX 480, AMD has positioned itself as a strong contender in the GPU market. Its killer price-performance ratio, VR-ready capabilities, and emphasis on affordability have resonated with consumers. By expanding their product offerings and targeting different price segments, AMD is able to reach a broader customer base. Looking towards the future, AMD's Zen and Vega releases hold the promise of even greater success. As AMD continues to innovate and compete with Nvidia, the Four Horsemen are poised to lead the company to new heights.