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Early Batches of Radeon RX 480 4GB cards actually do have 8GB memory
For reviewers AMD has been circulating a BIOS that would allow 8GB versions to be tested at 4 GB. However it was stated that all 4GB retail cards do physically have 4GB and not 8GB. That it seems was not true for some batches. Some users have reported purchasing a 4GB RX 480, that in fact physically holds 8GB of memory.
A user called bertieX over at Dutch website Tweakers.net reported that he purchased a 4GB PowerColor RX 480. The card has 8 memory chips and when he watched the GDDR5 ICs closely, he noticed Samsung K4G80325FBHC25 chips, these are confirmed 8Gbit. With eight of them that does make a total of 64 Gbit and thus indeed there is 8 GB of GDDR5 memory present on the PCB.
The card however is recognized and utilizing 4GB as model, this means that the remaining 4 GB is disabled in the BIOS. In theory it would be possible and very simple to activate the remaining 4GB to 8GB with an 8GB SKU BIOS update. It is very doubtful that AMD will keep delivering 4GB models with physical 8GB on the cards, likely this was a snap decision or quantity discount to get the cards out fast. At this time it is uncertain if all 4GB cards sold in fact carry 8 GB of memory, according to more rumors the XFX cards also have 8GB present on the 4GB models.
The 4GB Radeon RX 480 costs 219 euro whereas a 8GB model will cost 269 Euro. Currently you'll be hard-pressed to spot a store selling 4 GB models as they are out of stock everywhere.
Stairmand
Senior Member
Posts: 319
Joined: 2007-07-25
Senior Member
Posts: 319
Joined: 2007-07-25
#5300824 Posted on: 07/04/2016 11:17 PM
Like the opposite of NVidia, they sell you a 4GB card with only 3.5GB!
Like the opposite of NVidia, they sell you a 4GB card with only 3.5GB!
SirDremor
Senior Member
Posts: 586
Joined: 2008-06-20
Senior Member
Posts: 586
Joined: 2008-06-20
#5300827 Posted on: 07/04/2016 11:23 PM
why is it a hardware issue to disable half of the RAM via bios if production cost for a 4GB version would be higher due to the need of a second production line?
do you know what those memory chips cost in procurement? 50 cent per 8gbit, x4 makes 2$ per 4gbyte.
now if switching production line costs same or more than 2$ per card. why not just produce all as 8GB version and limit via BIOS.
You are very mistaken on GDDR5 costs, especially in 8gbit chips. That is first.
Second - there are no altruistic companies in this world. Even if there are, AMD is not one of them. As such I highly doubt they will be losing profits, just to sell you the same card.
why is it a hardware issue to disable half of the RAM via bios if production cost for a 4GB version would be higher due to the need of a second production line?
do you know what those memory chips cost in procurement? 50 cent per 8gbit, x4 makes 2$ per 4gbyte.
now if switching production line costs same or more than 2$ per card. why not just produce all as 8GB version and limit via BIOS.
You are very mistaken on GDDR5 costs, especially in 8gbit chips. That is first.
Second - there are no altruistic companies in this world. Even if there are, AMD is not one of them. As such I highly doubt they will be losing profits, just to sell you the same card.
HeavyHemi
Senior Member
Posts: 6954
Joined: 2008-10-27
Senior Member
Posts: 6954
Joined: 2008-10-27
#5300831 Posted on: 07/04/2016 11:33 PM
go to https://www.alibaba.com/
enter part no. of samsung, elpida, hynix memory chips.
chinese suppliers sending them to end(!!)-customers for around ~2-3$ per piece.
that means if you buy "millions" of them because you actually ordered them via a frame agreement from your contractor... well. you can imagine right?
Why would I do your research for you? I know the BOM for the Playstation 4 is over $80 dollars per unit just for the GDDR5.
go to https://www.alibaba.com/
enter part no. of samsung, elpida, hynix memory chips.
chinese suppliers sending them to end(!!)-customers for around ~2-3$ per piece.
that means if you buy "millions" of them because you actually ordered them via a frame agreement from your contractor... well. you can imagine right?
Why would I do your research for you? I know the BOM for the Playstation 4 is over $80 dollars per unit just for the GDDR5.
Fender178
Senior Member
Posts: 4198
Joined: 2004-09-28
Senior Member
Posts: 4198
Joined: 2004-09-28
#5300832 Posted on: 07/04/2016 11:39 PM
Very interesting. Reminds me of the old cards from Nvidia and ATI/AMD where you could unlock additional pipelines. I wonder why nobody from AMD's tech division or QA department tested these cards to make sure they were truly 4Gb cards and not 8Gb cards with disabled memory chips. To me if anyone who bought any of these early batch cards and found this out AMD could lose some money on the Sales of the 8Gb version.
Very interesting. Reminds me of the old cards from Nvidia and ATI/AMD where you could unlock additional pipelines. I wonder why nobody from AMD's tech division or QA department tested these cards to make sure they were truly 4Gb cards and not 8Gb cards with disabled memory chips. To me if anyone who bought any of these early batch cards and found this out AMD could lose some money on the Sales of the 8Gb version.
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Senior Member
Posts: 1653
Joined: 2015-03-20
go to https://www.alibaba.com/
enter part no. of samsung, elpida, hynix memory chips.
chinese suppliers sending them to end(!!)-customers for around ~2-3$ per piece.
that means if you buy "millions" of them because you actually ordered them via a frame agreement from your contractor... well. you can imagine right?