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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.
Anarion
Senior Member
Posts: 13605
Joined: 2005-08-13
Senior Member
Posts: 13605
Joined: 2005-08-13
#5300940 Posted on: 07/05/2016 09:24 AM
Not that surprising since they don't even sell 4GB cards here in Finland.
Not that surprising since they don't even sell 4GB cards here in Finland.
Tripkebab
Senior Member
Posts: 144
Joined: 2011-01-30
Senior Member
Posts: 144
Joined: 2011-01-30
#5300962 Posted on: 07/05/2016 11:56 AM
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.
Brings back memories of the days you could unlock the disabled shader cores on the old AMD cards to get a nice 40% performance increase.
That being said any idea if the CUDA cores between the 1070/1080 are disabled via hardware or the bios?
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.
Brings back memories of the days you could unlock the disabled shader cores on the old AMD cards to get a nice 40% performance increase.
That being said any idea if the CUDA cores between the 1070/1080 are disabled via hardware or the bios?
Loophole35
Senior Member
Posts: 9800
Joined: 2011-09-21
Senior Member
Posts: 9800
Joined: 2011-09-21
#5300969 Posted on: 07/05/2016 12:21 PM
Brings back memories of the days you could unlock the disabled shader cores on the old AMD cards to get a nice 40% performance increase.
That being said any idea if the CUDA cores between the 1070/1080 are disabled via hardware or the bios?
No Nvidia likes to laser cut the SMX clusters not disable in BIOS. I remember getting a 15% bump on my 6950's with a simple modded BIOS.
Brings back memories of the days you could unlock the disabled shader cores on the old AMD cards to get a nice 40% performance increase.
That being said any idea if the CUDA cores between the 1070/1080 are disabled via hardware or the bios?
No Nvidia likes to laser cut the SMX clusters not disable in BIOS. I remember getting a 15% bump on my 6950's with a simple modded BIOS.
TheDeeGee
Senior Member
Posts: 7977
Joined: 2010-08-28
Senior Member
Posts: 7977
Joined: 2010-08-28
#5300973 Posted on: 07/05/2016 12:23 PM
In Europe they sold 26.000+ RX 480 4/8GB GPUs already !
LOL That's amazing IMO.
Hmm Hot Cakes?
Do they include a coupon code for a new motherboard as well?
In Europe they sold 26.000+ RX 480 4/8GB GPUs already !
LOL That's amazing IMO.
Hmm Hot Cakes?
Do they include a coupon code for a new motherboard as well?
Click here to post a comment for this news story on the message forum.
Senior Member
Posts: 627
Joined: 2006-11-18
?
1.) the outrage about the case you mention was directed against asus/msi trying to improve their benchmark placings in the first reviews the aib cards.
2.) there is nothing to rage against when a company gives you (in case you take the risk of biosmodding/-flashing) a free +4GB VRAM
or how do you imagine an outrage to look like in that case??!?!
being curious!
1.) users just need to use OC software provided and they'll get same clocks as review BIOS.
2.) yes there is something to rage about, what is reviewed should have same identical BIOS that I get when I buy the GPU. but no one cares because it's their precious AMD that can't possibly do anything shady. another evidence is PCIE fiasco that was quickly swept under the rug and even defended by some hardcore fanboys like it's not a big deal. you are a hypocrite, either reviews are allowed to have non retail bios or they aren't. you don't get to cherry pick which GPUs can and which can not have different bios from retail products.