AMD Radeon RX Vega 64 in short supply worldwide – partner models are delayed

In May 2016, Nvidia launched the graphics cards Geforce GTX 1080 and GTX 1070, which were without competition when AMD chose to put all the gunpowder on the middle class with Polaris. This was changed with the Radeon RX Vega 64 and RX Vega 56, which take up the battle for the best-selling performance class in Sweden.

In terms of performance alone, AMD succeeds in delivering alternatives to Nvidia’s popular duo, but there is uncertainty about both pricing and availability. While the Radeon RX Vega 64 was available on launch day, it was about very low volumes.

► SweClocker’s test of the Radeon RX Vega 64 and RX Vega 56

Now SweClockers can report that the Radeon RX Vega 64 is a global shortage, something that is not attributed to high sales on the launch day. In Europe, AMD chose to only work with 10 retailers, all of which received only limited units. In the Nordic countries and Sweden, Komplett is the exclusive launch partner.

In conversations with European industry colleagues, several testify that the Radeon RX Vega 64 was completely out of sale in their respective countries, and that it is not expected to go into stock until one to two weeks. The situation should be similar in other parts of the world, where AMD in addition to Europe works with only 17 other resellers.

Apart from a screaming shortage, it is still difficult to confirm where AMD’s new models land in terms of price. At Komplett, there are reference models of Radeon RX Vega 64, signed Sapphire and MSI, for SEK 5,090 including VAT, which is in good agreement with its recommended price of 499 USD and 499 Euro.

However, there are indications that these are temporarily discounted prices. Komplett has previously collaborated with AMD to push the price of individual models, which is believed to be the case this time as well. In the UK, the first copies of the Radeon RX Vega 64 sold out for its £ 449 and were then listed for at least £ 549, equivalent to SEK 5,800.

Something that makes it even more difficult to pinpoint where the price ultimately lands in Sweden is that AMD does not share any information with resellers other than Komplett. However, prices around or above SEK 5,500 are forecast, something based on the recommended price of 499 USD / 499 Euro.

Partner manufacturer’s models in September

In SweClocker’s test of the Radeon RX Vega 64, it was found that the graphics card itself was a poorly executed story, where the cooler has difficulty controlling the current-thirsty circuit even before overclocking came up. The editors therefore chose to advise against AMD’s reference design and wait for partner manufacturers’ variants.

At present, tailor-made graphics cards from partners are expected to be available in stores in four to six weeks, in mid-September. When partner manufacturers will release their variants of the RX Vega 56 is not yet known, but first it will be launched in a reference version where the estimated date is 28 August.