For their next generation GPUs, currently codenamed Arctic Island, it sounds like AMD might be looking at skipping the 20nm silicon fab process, and skip straight ahead to 14nm, which future proofs them for a good while, if this report on TechPowerUp is to be believed. Their current GPUs use a 28nm silicon fab process, for reference.
What is unknown yet is whether they will stick with TSMC- TSMC has so far failed to implement its 20nm node for other GPU vendors, and AMD might not want to stick around with someone whose process is less than guaranteed to work. Of course, if they do decide to switch, it is unknown who they will go with. The only other vendors who have achieved 14nm nodes at a mass production capacity are Intel and Samsung, and both are direct competitors to AMD.
Keeping aside the matter of logistics for a minute, though, it sounds like the Arctic Island GPUs will be incredibly advanced, and enough to endear them to PC gamers looking to switch over from the currently beleaguered Nvidia. The first Arctic Island GPU is currently codenamed “Greenland,” a large GPU that will implement the most advanced stream processor design that AMD has had yet. “Greenland” will implement HBM2 memory, which offers 57% higher memory bandwidth at just 48% the power consumption of GDDR5, meaning that if this performs as intended (and is widely adopted), the rift between the level of performance offered by PCs and consoles will be widened even further than it already is.
It sounds like an exciting time is ahead- stay tuned to GamingBolt to keep abreast of all developments.
