AMD confirms Aldebaran CDNA2 GPU for Instinct MI200 has ‘primary’ and ‘secondary’ die

Published: Jun 9th 2021, 11:11 GMT   Comments

AMD Aldebaran CDNA2 GPU features two dies

In the most recent Linux kernel update, AMD engineers have confirmed that the upcoming CDNA2 GPU codenamed Aldebaran will feature two dies. 

While consumer graphics processing units are not expected to feature MCM (Multi-Chip-Module) design till at least RDNA3 (what rumors seem to suggest), the compute accelerators such as Intel Xe-HP(C), NVIDIA Hopper and AMD CDNA2 architecture will all participate in the MCM revolution.

We have seen rumors that Aldebaran features two compute dies on the package, which were referenced in the Linux updates as die0 and die1, leaving a possibility that there might be more. Today AMD engineering confirmed that only the primary die will handle the power data, which should not be set through ‘secondary die’. This ultimately confirms there are two dies.

This means that the primary die will regulate the power consumption and power limits for the whole compute part of the package. It is not clear if the power of the HBM2 memory will also be regulated by this die, or by a new I/O module.

The specifications of the Aldebaran MCM package are currently unknown, but it will definitely be a major change from the monolithic Arcturus design. A dual-die configuration will require an interface/interconnect die, which is likely to increase the size of the whole package. AMD is probably going to take a small step before going all-in with more compute dies. Small chips and interposers will require less engineering and should simplify the production.

Monolithic vs MCM design, Source: VideoCardz

AMD has never publicly confirmed that CDNA2 will be MCM design, however, the official roadmap did suggest it will have ‘Advanced Node’, which is often how manufacturers refer to product featuring different nodes for each die (in other words not everything will be made in 5nm process technology).

AMD CDNA Roadmap, Source: AMD

AMD Instinct MI200 is likely to launch next year alongside other 5nm products, such as Raphael and RDNA3 consumer graphics. The latter is also rumored to feature an MCM design for at least two GPUs.

AMD Instinct Accelerators
Accelerator NameAMD Radeon Instinct MI60AMD Instinct MI100AMD Instinct MI200
Architecture7nm GCN57nm CDNA1 (GFX908)CDNA2 (GFX90A)
GPUVega 20ArcturusAldebaran (MCM)
GPU Cores40967680TBC
GPU Clock Speed1800 MHz~1500 MHzTBC
FP16 Compute29.5 TFLOPs185 TFLOPsTBC
FP32 Compute14.7 TFLOPs23.1 TFLOPsTBC
FP64 Compute7.4 TFLOPs11.5 TFLOPsTBC
VRAM32 GB HBM232 GB HBM2HBM2E
Memory Clock1000 MHz1200 MHzTBC
Memory Bus4096-bit bus4096-bit busTBC
Memory Bandwidth1 TB/s1.23 TB/sTBC
Form FactorDual Slot, Full LengthDual Slot, Full LengthOAM
CoolingPassive CoolingPassive CoolingTBC
TDP300W300WTBC

Source: Freedesktop via Coelacanth’s Dream




Comment Policy
  1. Comments must be written in English and should not exceed 1000 characters.
  2. Comments deemed to be spam or solely promotional in nature will be deleted. Including a link to relevant content is permitted, but comments should be relevant to the post topic. Discussions about politics are not allowed on this website.
  3. Comments and usernames containing language or concepts that could be deemed offensive will be deleted.
  4. Comments complaining about the post subject or its source will be removed.
  5. A failure to comply with these rules will result in a warning and, in extreme cases, a ban. In addition, please note that comments that attack or harass an individual directly will result in a ban without warning.
  6. VideoCardz has never been sponsored by AMD, Intel, or NVIDIA. Users claiming otherwise will be banned.
  7. VideoCardz Moderating Team reserves the right to edit or delete any comments submitted to the site without notice.
  8. If you have any questions about the commenting policy, please let us know through the Contact Page.
Hide Comment Policy
Comments