In a battle that seems as old as time, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) has launched new gaming GPUs (Graphics Processing Units) based on its latest RDNA 3 microarchitecture, to do battle with chief rival NVIDIA and its latest GeForce RTX 40 series cards that launched back in October of this year. The new Radeon RX 7900 XTX and 7900 XT are AMD’s newest flagship cards, and the company has managed to deliver a competitive offering for PC Gamers at more attractive price points that deliver a solid value proposition. But before we dig into the particulars on performance and retail pricing, let’s have a high-level look at what makes AMD’s Navi 31 GPU, that powers these new gaming beasts, tick.
For decades now, die shrinks on smaller and smaller semiconductor fab process geometries have delivered gains via faster clock speeds, and the ability to pack more transistors into a chip with better power efficiency characteristics. However, these benefits have started to wane with continually shrinking chip process lithography. As such, chip manufacturers have turned to new “chiplet” based design architectures that allow them to manufacturer multiple more efficient smaller chip dies, and then assemble them in a single multi-chip package for greater efficiency, performance and cost. It used to be that MCM (multi-chip module) packaging was cost-prohibitive. However, as packaging technologies have advanced more recently, the net-net is that chiplets are the way of the future for more complex processor designs, and new AMD’s Navi 31 is the first chiplet-base consumer GPU on the market.
Enter AMD Navi 31 And The First Chiplet-Based Consumer GPU
AMD’s Navi 31 GPU That Powers Its Radeon RX 7900 Series Graphic Cards
AMD
Without wading too far into the weeds, AMD’s RDNA 3-based (Radeon DNA 3) Navi 31 GPU that powers the new Radeon RX 7900 XTX and XT, is comprised of two separate die types, a 300mm2 GCD or Graphics Compute Die and a 6 x 37mm2 (about 222mm2 in total) MCD or Memory Cache Dies. The former is manufactured on a 5nm (nanometer) chip process and the latter on 6nm. AMD’s Radeon RX 7900 XTX employs 6 MCDs with a 384-bit memory interface (64-bit per die), along with 24GB of GDDR6 memory and 96MB of on-board AMD Infinity Cache, offering 3500GB/s of effective memory bandwidth. AMD’s Radeon RX 7900 XT only utilizes 5 MCDs to create a 320-bit memory interface to 20GB of GDDR6 memory and 80MB of on-board Infinity Cache, for a total of up to 2900 GB/s of effective memory bandwidth. The more powerful Radeon RX 7900 XTX also has 96 Radeon Compute Units (CUs) and 96 Ray Accelerators, versus the Radeon RX 7900 XT’s 84 CU and 84 Ray Accelerator complement. All in, a Radeon RX 7900 XTX has a 355 Watt board power while a 7900 XT is a 315 Watt design, versus the previous gen 335 Watt Radeon RX 6950 XT, that employs just 80 CUs, 80 ray accelerators and 16GB of GDDR6 memory.
So, as we can see, AMD was able to pack more resources into a similar or lower power envelope, though the Radeon RX 7900 series also has a myriad of other architecture advancements that bring refinement and additional performance headroom beyond just what these physics advancements have delivered. The good news for PC gamers is that the performance-per-dollar metrics have scaled nicely as well.
Radeon RX 7900 XTX And RX 7900 Scrap With GeForce RTX 4080 At Better Price Points
AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX Graphics Card – $999 MSRP
AMD
What’s perhaps most compelling about AMD’s new Radeon RX 7900 series, is that all of these additional resources and claimed performance gains come at essentially the same price points as the company’s previous gen Radeon RX 6900 series. AMD’s Radeon RX 7900 XT 20GB reference design card will retail for $899, while the flagship Radeon RX 7900 XTX, with its higher boost clocks, 24GB GDDR6 memory and fully-enabled Navi 31 GPU will retail for $999. And though AMD targeted GeForce RTX 4080 16GB class performance with these cards, they’re priced at $300 and $200 less, respectively. So with that in mind, let’s look quickly at how the benchmark numbers shake out, from Marco Chiappetta’s Radeon RX 7900 series review at HotHardware.
AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX And 7900 XT Performance – Forza 5 Horizon
HotHardware.com
AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX And 7900 XT Performance – F1 2022 With Ray Tracing
HotHardware.com
These game benchmarks do a nice job of quickly summarizing AMD Radeon RX 7900 series performance as it has played out so far. Though AMD likely is still wringing additional FPS out of its drivers, generally speaking, the Radeon RX 7900 XTX and Radeon RX 7900 XT slot in just above and just below GeForce RTX 4080 performance, depending on game title and graphics settings. The above graphs show all high resolution 4K max quality game settings, and we see the two Radeons sandwich the GeForce RTX 4080 fairly consistently. It’s only with some ray tracing-enabled titles like F1 2022 that we see the new Radeon RX 7900 series trail an RTX 4080 somewhat, as NVIDIA’s 3rd gen RT engines are more powerful on the whole. However, if we look at the case of FarCry 6, which also has ray tracing enabled here, performance scales back in AMD’s favor for the Radeon RX 7900 XTX versus the GeForce RTX 4080.
The Wrap-Up – AMD’s Latest Volley Puts The Heat On NVIDIA
AMD Radeon RX 7900 Graphics Card – $899 MSRP
AMD
All told, though AMD can’t claim the top performance crown here with the new Radeon RX 7900 series — that distinction is firmly set by NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 4090 — the company has delivered a compelling value proposition with generally better performance-per-dollar metrics, as long as retail pricing drops in at MSRP for reference cards, with similar price points for custom cards from OEM partners like XFX, MSI, ASUS and others. In addition, since Radeon RX 7900 series cards are roughly the same size as previous gen Radeons, they’re easier drop-in upgrades for gamers, versus NVIDIA’s RTX 4080 and 4090, which will require more chassis room and may not fit inside some mid-tower and smaller PC cases.
What did surprise me a little bit, was that power consumption for the new Radeon RX 7900 series is generally a little higher than NVIDIA’s RTX 40 series under load. Although, I’m not sure that will matter much to most desktop PC gamers, especially with standard dual 8-pin PCIe power connectors on the new Radeons, versus NVIDIA’s RTX 40 series 12-pin dongles that require 3 – 4 PCIe power leads patched in.
It will be interesting to watch how these two PC graphics powerhouse duke it out in the weeks and months ahead, but in the meantime it appears AMD has a very compelling offering in the Radeon RX 7900 XTX and 7900 XT, and at very competitive price points to boot that undercut NVIDIA.
CHICAGO (AP) — United Airlines has struck a deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to offer satellite-based Starlink WiFi service on flights within the next several years.
The airline said Friday the service will be free to passengers.
United said it will begin testing the service early next year and begin offering it on some flights by later in 2025.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
The announcement comes as airlines rush to offer more amenities as a way to stand out when passengers pick a carrier for a trip. United’s goal is to make sitting on a plane pretty much like being on the ground when it comes to browsing the internet, streaming entertainment and playing games.
“Everything you can do on the ground, you’ll soon be able to do on board a United plane at 35,000 feet, just about anywhere in the world,” CEO Scott Kirby said in announcing the deal.
The airline says Starlink will allow passengers to get internet access even over oceans and polar regions where traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals may be weak or missing.
Sony has made it easy for Canadian consumers to preorder the PlayStation 5 Pro in Canada directly from PlayStation’s official website. Here’s how:
Visit the Official Website: Go to direct.playstation.com and navigate to the PS5 Pro section once preorders go live on September 26, 2024.
Create or Log in to Your PlayStation Account: If you don’t have a PlayStation account, you will need to create one. Existing users can simply log in to proceed.
Place Your Preorder: Once logged in, follow the instructions to preorder your PS5 Pro. Ensure you have a valid payment method ready and double-check your shipping information for accuracy.
Preorder Through Major Canadian Retailers
While preordering directly from PlayStation is a popular option, you can also secure your PS5 Pro through trusted Canadian retailers. These retailers are expected to offer preorders on or after September 26:
Best Buy Canada
Walmart Canada
EB Games (GameStop)
Amazon Canada
The Source
Steps to Preorder via Canadian Retailers:
Visit Retailer Websites: Search for “PlayStation 5 Pro” on the website of your preferred retailer starting on September 26.
Create or Log in to Your Account: If you’re shopping online, having an account with the retailer can speed up the preorder process.
Preorder in Store: For those who prefer in-person shopping, check with local stores regarding availability and preorder policies.
3. Sign Up for Notifications
Many retailers and websites offer the option to sign up for notifications when the preorder goes live. If you’re worried about missing out due to high demand, this can be a useful option.
Visit Retailer Sites: Look for a “Notify Me” or “Email Alerts” option and enter your email to stay informed.
Use PlayStation Alerts: Sign up for notifications directly through Sony to be one of the first to know when preorders are available.
4. Prepare for High Demand
Preordering the PS5 Pro is expected to be competitive, with high demand likely to result in quick sellouts, just as with the initial release of the original PS5. To maximize your chances of securing a preorder:
Act Quickly: Be prepared to place your order as soon as preorders open. Timing is key, as stock can run out within minutes.
Double-Check Payment Information: Ensure your credit card or payment method is ready to go. Any delays during the checkout process could result in losing your spot.
Stay Informed: Monitor PlayStation and retailer websites for updates on restocks or additional preorder windows.
Final Thoughts
The PlayStation 5 Pro is set to take gaming to the next level with its enhanced performance, graphics, and new features. Canadian gamers should be ready to act fast when preorders open on September 26, 2024, to secure their console ahead of the holiday season. Whether you choose to preorder through PlayStation’s official website or your preferred retailer, following the steps outlined above will help ensure a smooth and successful preorder experience.
For more details on the PS5 Pro and to preorder, visit direct.playstation.com or stay tuned to updates from major Canadian retailers.
Since the PlayStation 5 (PS5) launched four years ago, PlayStation has continuously evolved to meet the demands of its players. Today, we are excited to announce the next step in this journey: the PlayStation 5 Pro. Designed for the most dedicated players and game creators, the PS5 Pro brings groundbreaking advancements in gaming hardware, raising the bar for what’s possible.
Key Features of the PS5 Pro
The PS5 Pro comes equipped with several key performance enhancements, addressing the requests of gamers for smoother, higher-quality graphics at a consistent 60 frames per second (FPS). The console’s standout features include:
Upgraded GPU: The PS5 Pro’s GPU boasts 67% more Compute Units than the current PS5, combined with 28% faster memory. This allows for up to 45% faster rendering speeds, ensuring a smoother gaming experience.
Advanced Ray Tracing: Ray tracing capabilities have been significantly enhanced, with reflections and refractions of light being processed at double or triple the speed of the current PS5, creating more dynamic visuals.
AI-Driven Upscaling: Introducing PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, an AI-based upscaling technology that adds extraordinary detail to images, resulting in sharper image clarity.
Backward Compatibility & Game Boost: More than 8,500 PS4 games playable on PS5 Pro will benefit from PS5 Pro Game Boost, stabilizing or enhancing performance. PS4 games will also see improved resolution on select titles.
VRR & 8K Support: The PS5 Pro supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and 8K gaming for the ultimate visual experience, while also launching with the latest wireless technology, Wi-Fi 7, in supported regions.
Optimized Games & Patches
Game creators have quickly embraced the new technology that comes with the PS5 Pro. Many games will receive free updates to take full advantage of the console’s new features, labeled as PS5 Pro Enhanced. Some of the highly anticipated titles include:
Alan Wake 2
Assassin’s Creed: Shadows
Demon’s Souls
Dragon’s Dogma 2
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Gran Turismo 7
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Horizon Forbidden West
These updates will allow players to experience their favorite games at a higher fidelity, taking full advantage of the console’s improved graphics and performance.
Design & Compatibility
Maintaining consistency within the PS5 family, the PS5 Pro retains the same height and width as the original PS5 model. Players will also have the option to add an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive or swap console covers when available.
Additionally, the PS5 Pro is fully compatible with all existing PS5 accessories, including the PlayStation VR2, DualSense Edge, Pulse Elite, and Access controller. This ensures seamless integration into your current gaming setup.
Pricing & Availability
The PS5 Pro will be available starting November 7, 2024, at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of:
$699.99 USD
$949.99 CAD
£699.99 GBP
€799.99 EUR
¥119,980 JPY
Each PS5 Pro comes with a 2TB SSD, a DualSense wireless controller, and a copy of Astro’s Playroom pre-installed. Pre-orders begin on September 26, 2024, and the console will be available at participating retailers and directly from PlayStation via direct.playstation.com.
The launch of the PS5 Pro marks a new chapter in PlayStation’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge gaming experiences. Whether players choose the standard PS5 or the PS5 Pro, PlayStation aims to provide the best possible gaming experience for everyone.
Preorder your PS5 Pro and step into the next generation of gaming this holiday season.
