AMD Confirms RDNA 4 Will Be Skipped for Zen 6 APUs; Next-Gen Will Use RDNA 3.5 According to GPUOpen Drivers Code

Recent revelations from AMD’s GPUOpen Drivers have confirmed that the company is bypassing the RDNA 4 architecture in favor of the already established RDNA 3.5 for its forthcoming generation of Accelerated Processing Units (APUs).

Insights on RDNA 4: Reserved for Discrete GPUs Only

The speculation surrounding AMD’s intentions for its next APU series appears to be valid. Reports surfaced approximately two weeks ago indicating that the upcoming Medusa Point series, which is based on the advanced Zen 6 architecture, would not integrate graphics processing units (iGPUs) using the RDNA 4 architecture. Recent leaks have substantiated these claims.

Examination of the AMD GPUOpen Drivers code on GitHub revealed that the Device ID “GfxIp12″is dedicated exclusively to discrete GPUs. Consequently, the forthcoming RX 9000 series will be the sole lineup to feature the RDNA 4 architecture. For its CPU/APU ecosystem, AMD is set to continue utilizing the previous RDNA iterations—specifically RDNA 2, RDNA 3, and RDNA 3.5—as it progresses with its next-generation APU offerings.

The Medusa Point series represents a significant upgrade over the Strix Point/Krackan Point family, showcasing the potential of the Zen 6 architecture. However, it will not leverage the enhancements brought by the RDNA 4 architecture for its integrated graphics capabilities. This decision may stem from AMD’s success with RDNA 3.5, particularly through the offerings within the Zen 5 mobile lines, such as the Strix Halo, known for delivering superior iGPU performance in mobile devices.

Future projections suggest that AMD may leap directly to UDNA (Unified DNA) architecture to provide a more substantial generational improvement over RDNA 3.5 in their APU developments. Announced last year, UDNA is poised as a robust enhancement over RDNA, positioning AMD to better compete with NVIDIA’s CUDA ecosystem. However, it appears that we will have to wait for at least one more generation before the first implementations of UDNA architecture materialize, likely starting with a successor to the Strix Halo.

It is essential to note that bypassing RDNA 4 for the Zen 6 Medusa Point APUs may limit user access to features like FidelityFX Super Resolution 4 (FSR 4), which is presently exclusive to RDNA 4 architecture. While details regarding the Zen 6 architecture remain scant, it’s premature to reach definitive conclusions. The Medusa Point series is anticipated to debut next year, aiming to deliver high-performance mobile computing solutions, akin to its predecessor, the Strix Halo.

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