AMD announces new semi-custom Ryzen-Vega SoC

by Mark Tyson on 3 August 2018, 14:11

Tags: AMD (NYSE:AMD)

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AMD has excitedly announced that it has gained a contract win from China's Zhongshan Subor. The American semiconductor company has published a blog post about a new semi-custom 'Zen' and 'Vega'-based SoC. This isn't the same as an APU because these SoCs also come packing graphics/system memory as a single chip solution.

The new "gaming SoC" is destined to become the heart of a series of gaming PC and consoles from Chinese brand Zhongshan Subor. AMD said that the first PCs powered by the new ZenVega SoC have already been on show at the Subor booth at ChinaJoy, the largest gaming and digital entertainment exhibition in Asia.

So, what makes up the new SoC? AMD revealed the three main parts of the semi-custom design were as follows:

  • An AMD Ryzen CPU (4 core/8 thread running at 3GHz),
  • with AMD Radeon Vega Graphics (24CUs running at 1.3GHz),
  • and 8GB of GDDR5 memory onto a single chip.

You might be interested to compare the above with the latest AMD APUs for PC. HEXUS reviewed the AMD Ryzen 5 2400G and Ryzen 3 2200G back in Feb. The beefier Ryzen 5 2400G has a similar CPU config with 4C/8T but a faster base/boost at 3.6/3.9GHz, meanwhile its GPU offers 11Cus at a peak 1.25GHz, which pales in comparison to the new semi-custom chip with 24CUs and peak clock of 1.3GHz.

AMD took the opportunity of this press release to restate its architectural attractions, especially how its chips support Radeon FreeSync technology and Rapid Packed Math. Both these are very attractive to gamers who seek smooth accelerated modern gaming experiences, it thinks.

The first new Subor gaming PCs featuring the semi-custom SoC will be available from later this month (in China). AMD adds that the Subor Games Console, with a custom OS, is due out before the end of the year. The first Subor Z+ PC, pictured directly above, will be available in black or white and costs CNY4998 (approx £560 or $730).



HEXUS Forums :: 10 Comments

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So 1535 shaders at 1.3GHZ it appears. The PS4 PRO has 2304 shaders at 911MHZ. The GPU in the console might actually be closer to the PS4 PRO one due to the much higher clockspeed(!).

Edit!!

The GPU also shares the same amount of shaders as the Vega M chip in those Intel CPUs with an onboard AMD graphics chip. So I suspect it must be the same chip but for use with GDDR5.

Second Edit!!

Nope I was wrong - if this has FP16 it's another 1536 shader chip.
Could this lead to a resurgence in Steam OS? Well, whatever has replaces Steam OS.
Going to have to nit-pick. The “chip” doesn't have 8GB GDDR5 on it. It has a 256bit GDDR5 interface. The actual memory is soldered to the motherboard.


And I have to wonder whether 8GB of total RAM is going to be sufficient for a system with that substantial a graphics component…
scaryjim
Going to have to nit-pick. The “chip” doesn't have 8GB GDDR5 on it. It has a 256bit GDDR5 interface. The actual memory is soldered to the motherboard.


And I have to wonder whether 8GB of total RAM is going to be sufficient for a system with that substantial a graphics component…

It works for consoles fine,and I suspect with so much bandwidth,shuffling data around won't be an issue.
“ This isn't the same as an APU because these SoCs also come packing graphics/system memory as a single chip solution.”
This was the end goal, care to correct your statement?