AMD’s Next-Gen GFX1250 Graphics IP: RDNA 4.5 or UDNA?

The next generation of AMD’s graphics architecture has made waves online, with the new GFX1250 graphics IP under the CDNA series spotted in kernel-level code. This hints at a major leap in AMD’s GPU strategy, following their previous successes with the RDNA series

. The new GFX1250 device ID, linked to CDNA, suggests a significant evolution in AMD’s graphics lineup.

The GFX1250 is part of what could be the RDNA 4 successors, though there’s some speculation it could represent a bridge architecture, a transition to a new paradigm. AMD might be preparing for the Unified DNA (UDNA) architecture, which would combine RDNA and CDNA into one unified system to compete with NVIDIA’s CUDA. Interestingly, previous reports had identified the UDNA architecture as “GFX13,” so the GFX1250’s link to CDNA raises questions. Is this an RDNA 4.5 or an early iteration of UDNA? It’s not entirely clear yet.

AMD’s current focus remains on enterprise solutions, particularly for servers and data centers, with consumer products following suit. This staged approach often sees cutting-edge technology debuting in professional markets before making its way to consumer desktops. While it seems like the GFX1250 will not be used in APUs or CPUs, it may be part of the high-end, server-focused MI400 series, before AMD fully transitions to UDNA.

In the world of integrated graphics, the RDNA 3.5 architecture will likely persist in AMD’s upcoming Medusa Point APUs. RDNA 4 will not be making its way to consumer APUs just yet, reinforcing the focus on high-end, discrete graphics for now. As always, the precise details remain up for speculation, but with each leak and report, the picture of AMD’s next-gen GPU lineup becomes clearer.