AMD is preparing to turn an important page in the history of its GPUs. According to several reports, the company will launch its new unified UDNA architecture as early as 2026. It will put an end to the current RDNA (Radeon) and CDNA (Instinct) lines. This change will be accompanied by a new generation of Radeon GPUs, but also a solution for Sony’s PlayStation 6 (PS6) gaming console.
UDNA: a fusion of RDNA and CDNA architectures
The UDNA architecture would be designed to unify gaming performance and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. It will succeed the RDNA 4 and CDNA 4 graphics architectures, which will be the last generations to use these designations. This strategic shift aims to combine the best of both worlds: computing power for data centers and AI, as well as cutting-edge graphics performance for gaming.
According to sources, notably from the Chiphell forums, UDNA will introduce a significant overhaul of the design of the computing units (ALU), drawing inspiration from the old GCN series while innovating. This approach could allow AMD to strengthen its position against NVIDIA, particularly in the enthusiast gamer segment, where the company has lost ground in recent years. Clearly UDNA could allow AMD to position itself at the high end.
It is said that Sony’s PlayStation 6 (PS6) should benefit from this advancement. While the PS5 Pro is based on a combination of RDNA 3 and RDNA 4 technologies, the PS6 would benefit from advances in UDNA, offering significant improvements in ray tracing and AI calculation.
On the processor side, Sony’s next console would also use AMD solutions, although details on Zen 4 or Zen 5 architectures remain unclear for the moment. At the same time, Microsoft would consider collaborating with AMD for its own portable console projects, thus putting AMD and Qualcomm in competition in this area.
The FSR will evolve
AMD is also reportedly working on an improved version of FSR aka FidelityFX Super Resolution with the integration of AI features similar to NVIDIA’s DLSS. This innovation could improve visual fidelity while boosting performance, strengthening the competitiveness of Radeon GPUs in the years to come.
If RDNA 4, planned for 2025, should consolidate AMD’s position in the mid-range segment, the arrival of the UDNA architecture in 2026 could allow the company to regain its place in the high-end GPU market . If all this is full of great promises, everything will be based on performance, functionality and energy efficiency. This trio will define the trajectory of UDNA and one thing seems certain: AMD is preparing to meet the challenge.
