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AMD Reportedly Pushes RX Vega 56 Embargo Forward

Once planned for September, the RX Vega 56 performance embargo has been moved up.

Chris Jarrard

August 11, 2017 1:00 AM

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Continuing the somewhat strange ride that has been the Radeon RX Vega’s release into the wild, AMD has reportedly moved up the performance NDA on its upcoming RX Vega 56 GPU. On a post that went up at GamersNexus overnight, editor Steve Burke details a sudden change in AMD’s plans for the impending RX Vega launch.

After revealing that GamersNexus was informed it would not be sampled Radeon RX Vega hardware by AMD due to the publication of a report on the new AMD Threadripper thermal paste performance before embargo lift, Burke explained that the site was no longer in communication with AMD about RX Vega and would be reporting relevant information without concern over breaking NDAs.

GamersNexus wasted no time in reporting on the newest developments surrounding the Radeon RX Vega launch. According to sources, the RX Vega 56 was originally planned for September launch, with NDA for performance reviews to be lifted at the same time. Very recently, AMD changed the plans and shipped the RX Vega 56 GPUs to tech reviewers with instructions to “prioritize coverage” of the Vega 56 over the flagship Vega 64. Burke implies that this change of plans reflects AMD’s faith in the RX Vega 56 and 64, explaining that AMD believes the $399 RX Vega 56 compares more favorably to its NVIDIA competition than the RX Vega 64 compares to offerings up against its $499 price tag.

Burke goes on to reveal the expected embargo scheduled for the RX Vega line:

• Unboxing embargo lift on Saturday, August 12, 11AM EDT: AMD permits unboxing photos or videos only.
• Performance embargo lift for Vega 56 on August 14, 9AM EDT.
• RX Vega 64 already in hands of some reviewers, with unboxing embargo lift on Saturday, August 12, 11AM EDT.
• RX Vega 64 performance embargo lift on August 14, 9AM EDT.
• Vega 56 launches on 8/28.

Despite a lack of RX Vega cards from AMD, GamersNexus promises to have Vega content ready for the embargo lift, as they have sourced parts from a third party.

Chris Jarrard

Contributing Tech Editor

Chris Jarrard likes playing games, crankin' tunes, and looking for fights on obscure online message boards. He understands that breakfast food is the only true food. Don't @ him.