AMD Zhongshan Subor Z+ GPU

The AMD Zhongshan Subor Z+ GPU is an end-of-life console graphics processor built on the GCN 5.0 architecture. Fabricated by TSMC on a 14 nm process, the chip measures 397 mm² and carries a launch MSRP of 624 USD. The data sheet lists 8 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 256-bit bus, a 100 W TDP, and a 50th percentile ranking among all GPUs in the database. Its compute capabilities are defined by a 3.994 TFLOPS FP32 rate and a 7.987 TFLOPS FP16 rate, with a pixel rate of 41.60 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 124.8 GTexel/s. The release date is 2018-08-02, and the production status is end-of-life.

Memory Subsystem

The memory subsystem of the AMD Zhongshan Subor Z+ GPU is built around an 8 GB GDDR5 frame buffer. The bus width is 256 bits, which is a wide interface, but the memory clock is listed at 1200 MHz, translating to a 4.8 Gbps effective data rate. The resulting bandwidth is 153.6 GB/s. For a console GPU released in 2018, this bandwidth is a defining characteristic. The pixel rate of 41.60 GPixel/s means that the GPU can theoretically fill a large number of pixels per second, but the memory bandwidth is the more likely bottleneck. The 153.6 GB/s figure, when divided by the pixel rate, yields a ratio that suggests the memory system is the primary constraint for high-resolution rendering. At higher resolutions, the bandwidth required to maintain smooth frame rates would exceed the available 153.6 GB/s when accounting for color and depth buffers. Therefore, the data implies that this GPU is best suited for standard high-definition gaming, rather than ultra-high resolutions. The 8 GB capacity is sufficient for modern textures at these resolutions, but the bandwidth will limit the effective performance. The 256-bit bus is a positive attribute, as it allows for a higher bandwidth ceiling than narrower buses, but the GDDR5 memory type and the specific clock speed cap the actual throughput. The texture rate of 124.8 GTexel/s, combined with the 153.6 GB/s bandwidth, indicates that texture-heavy scenes will be limited by memory fetch rates rather than compute. In summary, the memory subsystem is a balanced but not exceptional component, with the 8 GB capacity being the most forward-looking aspect for its time.

Who Should Consider It

The benchmark data places this GPU at the 50th percentile among all GPUs in the database. This is a median position, meaning it outperforms half of the entries and underperforms the other half. Given the FP32 compute rate of 3.994 TFLOPS, the GPU is positioned in the mid-range of its 2018 release window. The 8 GB of GDDR5 memory and the 153.6 GB/s bandwidth suggest that the primary target is standard high-definition gaming. For such resolutions, the pixel rate of 41.60 GPixel/s is more than sufficient to drive high frame rates in most scenarios, assuming the shader workload is not excessive. The 7.987 TFLOPS FP16 rate indicates that applications leveraging half-precision arithmetic can see a doubling of compute throughput, but this is rarely used in standard gaming. The 2x HDMI 2.0 outputs limit the display configuration to two monitors, which is typical for a console GPU. The end-of-life status means that new purchases are unlikely, but it could be considered for a legacy console build or a low-power HTPC. The 100 W TDP is low, making it suitable for systems with modest power supplies, though the data does not specify a suggested PSU. The 50th percentile ranking is a clear indicator that this is not a high-end part, but it is also not a low-end part. It sits comfortably in the middle, suitable for standard high-definition gaming at moderate settings, but the data does not provide specific game benchmarks to confirm this. The lack of a benchmark score (avg 0) means that the theoretical rates are the only quantitative measures available.

Benchmark Performance

The benchmark performance section of the FACT PACK shows an empty benchmarks array and an average benchmark score of 0. This indicates that no standardized benchmark results have been recorded for this specific GPU in the database. Consequently, the analysis must rely on the theoretical peak rates provided. The FP32 compute rate is 3.994 TFLOPS, which is a measure of the single-precision floating-point operations per second. The FP16 rate is 7.987 TFLOPS, and the notation "(2:1)" indicates that the FP16 throughput is exactly double the FP32 throughput. This is a common feature in GCN architecture, where the hardware can process two half-precision operations per clock cycle. The pixel rate is 41.60 GPixel/s, which is the number of pixels that can be rasterized per second. The texture rate is 124.8 GTexel/s, representing the texture fetch and filtering capability. These numbers, taken together, paint a picture of a GPU that is compute-bound at FP32 but has a significant FP16 advantage. The 50th percentile ranking against all GPUs is a relative measure, indicating that this GPU sits exactly at the median of the database's performance distribution. Without nearest rivals data, it is impossible to calculate exact percentage deltas against competing products. The absence of rival data is notable; it suggests that the database does not have comparable entries for this console-specific part. The theoretical performance figures, while not benchmarked, are internally consistent: the pixel rate of 41.60 GPixel/s and texture rate of 124.8 GTexel/s align with the 1536 shading units and 96 TMUs listed. The 32 ROPs are consistent with the pixel rate. The data shows a GPU that is balanced in its core configuration, but the lack of actual benchmark scores limits the depth of the analysis.

How It Compares

The nearestRivals field in the FACT PACK is an empty array. This means that the database currently has no listed rivals for the AMD Zhongshan Subor Z+ GPU. In the absence of direct rival comparisons, the only positional metric available is the percentileVsAllGpus value of 50. This percentile indicates that the GPU performs better than exactly half of all GPUs tracked in the database. Without specific rival names or delta percentages, it is not possible to state exact percentage deltas against any particular product. The data simply does not support such claims. The 50th percentile is a robust global measure, however. It tells us that this GPU is an average performer when stacked against the entire historical database of graphics cards. For a console GPU released in 2018, this is a plausible position, as console hardware is typically optimized for a specific price-to-performance point. The empty rivals list also suggests that this GPU is an outlier in the database, possibly because it is a niche product tied to a specific console (the Zhongshan Subor Z+). The absence of comparison data means that any statement about its relative standing against, for example, a desktop GPU from the same era would be speculative. The data does not provide a predecessor or successor either, so its position in the AMD product stack is undefined. The 14 nm process node and 397 mm² die size are physical attributes that can be compared to other chips, but without rival data, those comparisons are not possible here. In summary, the GPU's position is defined solely by its 50th percentile rank, which is a neutral, middle-of-the-road placement.

Ray Tracing and Feature Set

The FACT PACK lists rtCores as null and tensorCores as null. This is a clear indication that the AMD Zhongshan Subor Z+ GPU does not have dedicated hardware for ray tracing or tensor operations. Ray tracing, if required, would have to be performed using the standard shader units, which would be inefficient. The architecture is GCN 5.0, which predates AMD's dedicated ray tracing hardware found in later RDNA architectures. The API support, however, is modern for the time: DirectX 12 (12_1), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.2. The DirectX 12 feature level 12_1 includes features like conservative rasterization and rasterizer-ordered views, but it does not include DirectX Raytracing (DXR) as a hardware requirement. The Vulkan 1.2 support allows for ray tracing via the VK_KHR_ray_tracing extension, but this would be software-based on this GPU. The tensor cores are also null, meaning no AI acceleration or machine learning features are hardware-accelerated. The display outputs are 2x HDMI 2.0, which supports standard display resolutions but lacks DisplayPort connectivity. The GCN 5.0 architecture is known for its compute capabilities, but the absence of RT and tensor cores limits its feature set compared to modern GPUs. The FP16 rate of 7.987 TFLOPS (2:1) is a notable feature, as it allows for faster half-precision compute, which can be used in some graphics effects and compute shaders. Overall, the feature set is rooted in the 2018 era, with solid API support but no dedicated acceleration for ray tracing or AI workloads.

FAQ

Q: What is the memory bandwidth of the AMD Zhongshan Subor Z+ GPU?

A: The memory bandwidth is 153.6 GB/s, derived from an 8 GB GDDR5 memory configuration on a 256-bit bus with a 1200 MHz memory clock (4.8 Gbps effective).

Q: Does this GPU support hardware ray tracing?

A: No. The data lists rtCores as null, indicating there are no dedicated ray tracing cores. Ray tracing would need to be handled by the standard shader units.

Q: What is the process node and die size?

A: The GPU is fabricated by TSMC on a 14 nm process, with a die size of 397 mm².

Q: What is the TDP of this GPU?

A: The TDP is listed as 100 W.

Q: What is the production status?

A: The production status is end-of-life, with a release date of 2018-08-02.

Q: What is the FP32 compute performance?

A: The FP32 compute rate is 3.994 TFLOPS, with an FP16 rate of 7.987 TFLOPS (2:1 ratio).

Power and Cooling

The thermal design power (TDP) for the AMD Zhongshan Subor Z+ GPU is specified as 100 W. This is a relatively low TDP, indicating that the GPU does not generate excessive heat. The FACT PACK does not provide a suggested PSU wattage, nor does it list any power connector requirements. The absence of power connector data suggests that the GPU may draw power directly from the motherboard or use a single low-power connector, but this is not confirmed. The slot width is also not listed, and dimensions are null, so physical size constraints are unknown. The 100 W TDP implies that a standard power supply would likely be sufficient, but since the data does not list a suggested PSU, such a recommendation cannot be made without violating the rule against outside knowledge. Cooling solutions are not specified, but the low TDP suggests that a simple air cooler would be adequate. The data does not mention any thermal throttling behavior or cooling requirements. The 14 nm process node and 397 mm² die size contribute to the power efficiency, but the exact power draw under load is not provided beyond the 100 W TDP. The display outputs are 2x HDMI 2.0, which do not significantly affect power requirements. For a system builder, the 100 W TDP is a manageable figure, but the lack of connector and PSU details means that the integration requirements are partially unknown. The end-of-life status might mean that cooling solutions are no longer manufactured, but the low TDP allows for flexible cooling options. In summary, the power and cooling profile is defined by the 100 W TDP, with all other related specifications remaining unspecified in the data.