AMD reduces RDNA 2 architecture GPU supply
In the fourth quarter of 2020, AMD unveiled the Radeon RX 6000 series graphics cards, based on the RDNA 2 architecture, which has now been on the market for three and a half years. Although AMD introduced the Radeon RX 7000 series based on the RDNA 3 architecture towards the end of last year, the previous generation of products remains on sale and has gradually seen price reductions. Consequently, certain models continue to offer a relatively high cost-effectiveness.
According to TomsHardware, AMD is scaling back the supply of RDNA 2 architecture GPUs, especially the high-end models. The Radeon RX 6900/6950 XT has become increasingly scarce, and the Radeon RX 6800 and 6800 XT are seldom available, with only a few individual models being sold by select brands. Evidence indicates that AMD has ceased production of the Navi 21 GPU, which features the RDNA 2 architecture. As inventories have dwindled over the past six months, these products are gradually disappearing from the market.
Indeed, at the time of launching the Radeon RX 7900 series, which includes the Navi 31 chip, AMD still had a considerable stock of Navi 21 chips. To make way for the new releases, the existing Radeon RX 6800/6900 series needed to be discounted, which somewhat delayed the launch of subsequent RDNA 3 architecture products. Hence, it took nine months after the release of the Radeon RX 7900 series for AMD to introduce the Radeon RX 7700/7800 series, thereby progressively refreshing its mainstream and upper-midrange product lines.
As the supply of the current Radeon RX 6800/6900 series has significantly decreased, AMD is gradually adjusting its product lineup. For instance, the Radeon RX 7900 GRE, originally sold exclusively in China, is now available in other markets as well. However, AMD continues to retain some RDNA 2 architecture cards, such as the Radeon RX 6750 GRE, to fill gaps in the product line.
AMD plans to launch GPUs based on the RDNA 4 architecture in 2024, and it may not be until the next generation of graphics cards is introduced that the stock of RDNA 2 architecture GPUs will be completely exhausted.
