The upcoming graphics cards are sure to be very efficient and power-hungry, so it’s no wonder we’re also expecting systems with a lot of space. However, as it turns out, giant cores are not necessary to push the limits of computing power. As reported by @greymon55, the AMD Navi 31 graphics system running the flagship Radeon RX 7000 series has a surface area of ​​just 350mm². How is this possible?

The small size of GCD Navi 31 is due to the fact that the RDNA 3 architecture will be devoid of secondary elements such as XGMI, Global Data Share (GDS), Legacy Geometry Pipeline or Legacy Scan Converter.

The AMD Navi 31 will be surprisingly small in size.  All because of the complex structure [1]

AMD NAVI 31 – On top of the RDNA 3 graphics chip will be equipped with six MCD blocks and up to 384 MB of Infinity cache

It should be noted that the surface area of ​​350 mm² appears to be quite small compared to the Navi 21 (520 mm²), but it should be noted that the design of the next generation of RDNA 3 architecture is generally not so complex. It makes sense to integrate the new core with other GPUs. As we know, the AMD Navi 31 system will not have a monolithic architecture – it will be a complex of GCD (Graphics Complex Die) and MCD (Memory Complex Die) systems. So, speaking of an area of ​​​​350 mm², we are only referring to the GCD unit. It is believed that the entire Navi 31 graphics package can reach an area of ​​up to 590 mm² (near NVIDIA AD102 ~ 600 mm²), but it is too early to take this data seriously.

The AMD Navi 31 will be surprisingly small in size.  All because of the complex structure [2]

The AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT will use the new NAVI 33 graphics chip. However, the card can be priced at up to $400

The small size of the GCD Navi 31 is due to the fact that the new RDNA 3 architecture will be stripped of some secondary elements, such as XGMI, Global Data Share (GDS), Legacy Geometry Pipeline or Legacy Scan Converter. Interestingly, even if we take a theoretical AMD Navi 21 chip without the Infinity cache and memory controllers (so without the things that have to go into the MCD), its surface area would be 375 mm², so it would still be a core larger than the Navi 31 (GCD). ). Finally, we would like to remind you that according to the leaks so far, the Navi 32 will also be a similar system. Only Navi 33 medium rack graphics cards feature a traditional monolithic construction.

Source: VideoCardz, @greymon55