The latest AMD GPU probably isn’t for gamers, but compact builders could love it
AMD -- or rather one of its partners -- has a new GPU coming out, but it's really not what we've been hoping for.
Astrong
ITHome / Zephyr
When most of us think of new GPU releases, our minds turn towards some of the best graphics cards. In AMD’s case, that would currently mean the RX 9070 XT. But AMD is known for dipping back into previous generations, and this GPU proves just how far back AMD (or its partners) are willing to go to launch a new product. The question is: Does anyone really need it?
The GPU in question is the RX 6500. This is a non-XT, base version, and it was spotted by realVictor_M on X (Twitter). Made by Zephyr, the GPU never got as much as an official announcement from AMD. Instead, the card simply appeared on the market, and so far, Zephyr appears to be the only AIB (add-in board) partner making the RX 6500. It’s referred to as Dual ITX, and it does seem perfect for a small build.
So, what does this tiny, dual-fan card hide under the hood? Nothing to be excited about in this day and age. The GPU sports 1,024 stream processors (SPs), 16 compute units (CUs), a measly 4GB of GDDR6 VRAM across a 64-bit memory bus (clocked at 16Gbps). It also has a total board power (TBP) of 55 watts, which means it won’t need an external power connector. As spotted by VideoCardz, Zephyr also has a single-slot version of the card that comes with just one fan.
Spec-wise, the RX 6500 falls closer to the RX 6500 XT than it does to the RX 6400. The lower-end GPU sports just 768 SPs, although they both share the same memory configuration.
Although I am a fan of budget-oriented systems, I struggle to see the need for a GPU of this caliber. Integrated graphics will offer similar performance here, and gaming with 4GB of VRAM is going to be tough unless one sticks to old indie titles. But all of that is no problem, because people do need PCs for use cases such as this. It’s more that similar GPUs are still readily available, including low-end, sub-$100 models from both AMD and Nvidia.
I could see the RX 6500 ending up in a small form factor (SFF) PC used as a home entertainment system, for example. For gaming, it might be too far behind the times at this point. It’s unclear when or if the card will make it to the U.S. market, or how much it will cost.
AMD has a new GPU, but it’s not the one you think — or need
Monica is a computing writer at Digital Trends, focusing on PC hardware. Since joining the team in 2021, Monica has written…
Intel Battlemage is almost here, but the wait isn’t over
After weeks of rumors, it's finally a fact: Intel Arc Battlemage is on the imminent horizon, and the company is set to announce its next-gen GPUs on December 3. However, according to leaks, we're not getting the full scope of Intel Battlemage just yet. In fact, it may be a long time before we see Battlemage rank among the best graphics cards.
It's been a quiet year for Intel's discrete graphics department, but the last few weeks have been filled with leaks, and now, Intel itself confirms that we're getting some sort of an announcement tomorrow. It's unclear what exactly is being announced, other than the fact that it's Battlemage.
Nvidia’s next-gen GPU plans could be good news for Intel and AMD
According to a new leak from Benchlife, Nvidia may launch the vast majority of the RTX 50-series in the first quarter of 2025 -- but one GPU is notably missing from the early lineup. That could be very good news for AMD and Intel. While Nvidia will rule the high-end market, the other two brands may get to swoop in with some of the best graphics cards for gamers on a budget and get some breathing room before Nvidia strikes back.
Benchlife reveals that we'll see many of the RTX 50-series staples arrive in the first quarter of the year. The flagship RTX 5090 and the RTX 5080 arriving in January feel like a sure thing at this point, but many leakers also suggest that we'll see other GPUs make their debut during CES 2025.
No, generative AI isn’t taking over your PC games anytime soon
Surprise -- the internet is upset. This time, it's about a recent article from PC Gamer on the future of generative AI in video games. It's a topic I've written about previously, and something that game companies have been experimenting with for more than a year, but this particular story struck a nerve.
Redditors used strong language like "pro-AI puff piece," PC Gamer itself issued an apology, and the character designer for Bioshock Infinite's Elizabeth called the featured image showing the character reimagined with AI a "half-assed cosplay." The original intent of the article is to glimpse into the future at what games could look like with generative AI, but without the tact or clear realization of how this shift affects people's jobs and their creative works.
