Nvidia, a prominent player in the graphics processing unit (GPU) market, has recently decided to shelve its plans to launch the highly anticipated RTX 4090 Ti. The purported GPU was expected to feature an impressive 18,176 CUDA cores, taking full advantage of the AD102 silicon. However, the decision to forego the RTX 4090 Ti may be attributed to the absence of a real threat from AMD's competing products. Instead, Nvidia appears to be focusing on the upcoming RTX 50 Blackwell series, which is said to bring a substantial performance boost and utilize a 512-bit memory interface.
The Status of Nvidia's RTX 40 Series
As of the latest launches, Nvidia's RTX 40 series lineup appears to be complete, with recent releases including the RTX 4060 and two variants of the RTX 4060 Ti. The flagship RTX 4090, based on the AD102 architecture, boasts an impressive 16,384 CUDA cores, but the possibility of a more potent RTX 4090 Ti with 18,176 CUDA cores was highly anticipated by enthusiasts. The delay in the release of the RTX 4090 Ti could indicate that it might never come to fruition.
Nvidia's Decision to Forego the RTX 4090 Ti
Renowned Nvidia leaker @kopite7kimi revealed that Nvidia has abandoned its plans for an RTX 4090 Ti. Instead, the company is reportedly considering launching new refreshes in the form of RTX 4070 and RTX 4060-class cards, based on the AD103 and AD106 architectures, respectively. The exact reasons behind Nvidia's decision remain unclear, but a probable cause is the lack of competition from AMD's GPU offerings. Despite rumors of Nvidia's contingency plan involving the GH202 Hopper to counter RDNA 3, AMD's products seemed to have fallen short in terms of competition this time around.
The Enigmatic RTX Titan Ada and Its Demise
The RTX Titan Ada prototype featuring the PG137-SKU0 board with an AD102-450 GPU and 18,176 CUDA cores was a glimpse into the possibilities of the full AD102 silicon. This monstrous 4-slot card, equipped with 48 GB of GDDR6X VRAM, could have been a powerhouse of performance. However, Nvidia's decision to shelve this card suggests that it faced significant challenges, including a purported 800 W TGP requirement that led to issues such as power supply melting and circuit breaker tripping. The demise of this card further solidifies the notion that an RTX 4090 Ti might not be a reality anytime soon.
The Emergence of RTX 50 Blackwell
With the RTX 4090 Ti put on hold indefinitely, the focus shifts to Nvidia's next-generation GPUs, specifically the RTX 50 Blackwell series. Early reports suggest that Blackwell aims to achieve an impressive 2.6x performance increase compared to Ada. To attain this ambitious goal, Nvidia engineers are reportedly exploring options such as increasing streaming multiprocessors or even adopting a multi-chip design. However, the specifics of Blackwell's architecture and features remain shrouded in secrecy at this early stage of development.
512-bit Memory Bus for Blackwell
One intriguing detail that has surfaced regarding Blackwell is the use of a 512-bit memory interface. This move could potentially revolutionize memory performance and bandwidth in future GPUs. The 512-bit memory bus could enable faster data transfer rates between the GPU and VRAM, resulting in improved overall system performance and higher frame rates in graphics-intensive applications.
However, the exact implementation and usage of the 512-bit memory bus remain uncertain. It is not yet clear if Blackwell will utilize GDDR7 memory or if the 512-bit memory bus will be limited to specific SKUs within the RTX 50 lineup. More information about Blackwell's memory configuration and other features is expected to be revealed as Nvidia provides additional details leading up to the series' expected launch in 2025.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Nvidia's decision to shelve the RTX 4090 Ti, purportedly due to the lack of competition from AMD, has left enthusiasts eagerly anticipating the RTX 50 Blackwell series. The Blackwell series is said to offer a substantial performance boost and might incorporate a cutting-edge 512-bit memory bus. As Nvidia continues to develop and refine its next-generation GPUs, tech enthusiasts and gamers alike eagerly await the unveiling of Blackwell's capabilities and features, promising a new era of gaming and graphics performance.
