AMD has announced new details about its RDNA 4 architecture, including the Navi 48 GPU die. The die boasts a record-breaking transistor density of 150 million transistors per square millimeter, making it 25% denser than Nvidia’s Blackwell GPUs.
The Navi 48 die measures 357 mm² and contains an impressive 53.9 billion transistors, compared to the GB203 die used in Nvidia’s RTX 5080/5070 Ti, which has a transistor density of 120M transistors per mm². AMD’s decision to abandon its chiplet-style design for a monolithic die appears to have paid off, as it allows for improved transistor density and efficiency.
While the comparison is not entirely fair, as power consumption and other metrics are not accounted for in this analysis, it’s clear that AMD has prioritized transistor density in its current generation. The company’s latest offering upstages Nvidia with a GPU die that outshines its competitors.
The Navi 48’s dense design also suggests that AMD is focusing on performance and efficiency. With the forthcoming Radeon RX 9000-series GPUs, AMD appears to be attacking Nvidia’s upper-midrange products with renewed vigor. If the RX 9070 XT can hit its MSRP of $599 at launch, it will be a significant blow to Nvidia.
It’s worth noting that transistor counts are approximate and may vary depending on the counting method used. However, AMD’s commitment to improving ray tracing and FSR 4 performance suggests that the company is serious about delivering high-performance GPUs.
Ultimately, performance will be the deciding factor in the rivalry between AMD and Nvidia. While the Navi 48’s transistor density is impressive, it’s unclear whether it will translate to real-world benefits for consumers. As the GPU market continues to evolve, one thing is clear: the competition between these two industry giants will drive innovation and improvement.
Source: https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/gpus/amd-rdna4-navi-48-is-25-percent-denser-than-nvidia-blackwell-gpus-53-9-billion-transistors-in-a-die-smaller-than-gb203