AMD Expands RX 7000 Graphics Card Lineup with Higher Prices, Uncertain Performance
In an attempt to improve gaming experiences at 1440p resolutions, AMD has announced the addition of two new models to its RX 7000 graphics card lineup. The highly anticipated RX 7700 XT will be priced at $449, while the more advanced RX 7800 XT will be available for $499.
AMD boasts that the RX 7800 XT offers several upgrades over its counterpart, the RX 7700 XT. With one-third more memory, an 11% advantage in compute units, and a wider memory interface, this card aims to deliver enhanced gaming performance and meet the demands of avid gamers.
However, industry insiders highlight the sluggish state of the graphics card market, with a dramatic 38.2% year-over-year decline in shipments during the first quarter. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact demand, ultimately leading to a normalization of pricing.
Both AMD and its competitor NVIDIA have faced lackluster launches for their latest graphics cards, particularly in the midrange market segment. AMD’s current midrange offering, the RX 7600, has disappointed gamers as it only provides marginal performance gains at a higher price compared to its previous generation.
With that in mind, AMD’s decision to price its new graphics cards higher than anticipated raises concerns. Market share losses have already plagued the company, and these higher prices may further hinder its ability to win over consumers.
Unfortunately for AMD, the third quarter doesn’t seem promising either. The company expects a decline in its gaming business both from a year-over-year and sequential perspective. It is uncertain whether the new graphics cards will deliver the expected performance gains or face similar disappointment as the RX 7600 launch.
To regain its footing in the market, AMD will need to significantly undercut NVIDIA’s pricing and outperform its own previous generation cards. This way, the company can win over gamers and secure a considerable share of the market.
As the gaming community eagerly awaits the release of AMD’s new graphics cards, it remains to be seen if these offerings can deliver on their promises and help the company regain its competitive edge.
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