VR-Zone

With the release of AMD's next generation Southern Islands looming in Q4 2010, it has been widely speculated that the successor to Southern Islands will be Northern Islands, a new architecture, at 28nm. Previous rumours suggest a late-2011 release, considering all the problems with TSMC's 28nm process. However, Globalfoundries appears to be making progress - with 28nm rolling out by the end of 2010, and GPUs possible in the first half of 2011.

However, Nordichardware suggest that it will not be N. Islands appearing first on 28nm - but a S. Islands refresh in the first half of 2011.

AMD have been very secretive about their next gen products, with any substantial leaks still forthcoming. 28nm GPUs seem a long time away, especially when we know so very little about the imminent S. Islands, which is fabricated at TSMC's 40nm process.

If Globalfoundries can beat TSMC to it, NVIDIA will have to seriously consider moving to Globalfoundries, a name largely associated with rivals AMD. One could argue that it is GF100 that most needs a die shrink, as it is clearly too hot and big at 40nm.

AMD's plans remain tightly guarded, which has led to widespread speculation. NVIDIA's plans beyond completing the GeForce 400 series line-up remains unknown as well.

Reference: Nordichardware