First mentions of AMD RDNA1 "Cyan Skillfish" iGPU for future Ryzen APUs appear in Linux code

All the leaked AMD processor roadmaps we got up until now show how Team Red plans to replace the Vega iGPUs with RDNA2 models. A bit strange to skip over the original RDNA architecture, considering that it offers a smaller die size with a fairly higher transistor density compared to its successor. Sure, it does not integrate ray tracing tech, but no one really expects good ray tracing performance from an iGPU anyway, plus it is also more cost effective due to its smaller die size. However, AMD might have reconsidered this aspect in the meantime, as Phoronix recently discovered mentions about a “Cyan Skillfish” iGPU based on the RDNA1 architecture for unnamed upcoming APUs in the Linux 5.15 OS code.

It could be that AMD wants to keep the RDNA2 iGPUs on the more powerful APUs like the laptop H-series and the Pro G-series for desktops, while upcoming embedded and U-series may only feature the RDNA1 graphics since these models come with lower TDPs. An interesting alternative here would be the inclusion of these RDNA1 iGPUs on the high-end desktop processors, so that AMD could finally fully match what Intel is offering.

With the jump to 5 nm and beyond, the inclusion of iGPUs in the flagship Ryzen desktop CPUs is a likely possibility and could benefit Team Red especially in the small form-factor sector. From what we can see in the latest leaked roadmaps, the desktop-grade Ryzen 6000 series that will be launched with the 3D V-Cache feature in early 2022 is not going to offer an iGPU, but the Zen4-based Ryzen 7000-series that were just confirmed by Lisa Su to launch in late 2022 appear to feature an RDNA2 iGPU.

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