Latest rumor (none have gotten the release date correct, so far):

On the market in January, top card (single GPU, probably) may have 3GB RAM, top card roughly $500.

HD7000 Rumor

The 3GB RAM makes sense because the top card is rumored to have over 2000 shaders. Could be nearly as fast as my CrossFired HD5870s and capable of driving 3 monitors easily (or not -- it is a rumor).

as there even been any images of the 7000 architecture?

I think there were some images of the "mobile" HD7xxx part -- don't remember where I saw them (probably Fudzilla).

Its also been rumored that the chips taped out, engineering samples were fabricated, and it worked -- months ago. The hold up has been that the manufacturing process has been poor -- did not produce a high yield of useful parts (or so the rumors have gone). Have read just over 2000 shaders, higher clocks, much faster memory rumors -- in top single GPU card.

I'm planning to buy one -- assuming we don't have another Bulldozer episode. If supplies are "short", then I might have to jump at the first one I see on the first day. But, that's a couple months from now (if the rumor is correct). Right now, there is no new component I need. I'm playing the new games (like Skyrim) at max now

Details for HD7000 Series on Dec. 5th!

http://www.tomshardware.com/news/AMD-Radeon-HD7000-GPU-28nm,14121.html

Details like "available in just 6 months"?



The Jedi Master

Nah, like pre-orders from mid January and availability from February 2nd.

Maybe I should have waited... but it is too late. I gave in as the price drop I've been waiting for the past half year never came and ordered a GTX 560ti 2GB, and my friend ordered a Saphire HD 6950 2GB.

If I am correct, these are merely "refreshed" HD69**s correct?

By the rumours so far (and logic after previous models), there will be 7000 versions which are 'refreshes' of the 69x0 cards, but these will be some of the lower numbers.

There will be new silicon for the higher end cards and these wafers are done on 28nm litography. You could expect the high end numbering to be:

7750
7770

7850
7870

7950
7970... and maybe a dual GPU 7990.

I'll be waiting to see if some versions come with Rambus memory. I hope those will be overpriced with no performance benefit.

given the price of DDR ram, if RBR doesnt offer a significant performance to money increase. then I say stick with GDDR5

Latest rumor that I saw (a few days ago) was that Rambus memory will NOT be used in HD7xxx-- sticking with GDDR5 for the present (don't know what might happen later in 2012).

The HD79xx is supposed to be a NEW architecture shader (not merely a 28nm evolution of HD69xx). And, lots more shaders at a higher clock. One can daydream that the performance will be much better than HD69xx. But, so will the price (according to rumors). And, until we see them, who knows? As mentioned, December 5 should bring the first concrete news.

The GTX6xx high end really does seem to be greatly delayed past the original March time frame. So far, rumors say, the Nvidia parts are in trouble (whatever that means).