This is a list I have compiled of the first GPUs to use the last 6 shrinks. People seem to think as soon as the chips roll off the production line the cards start being sold but that's not the case. Have a look:
Hopefully this will be useful for future reference.
Code:
AMD 7970 Jan 9 2012
TSMC 28nm Oct 24 2011
Ati 4770 Apr 28 2009
TSMC 40nm Nov 17 2008
ATi 3870 Nov 15 2007
TSMC 55nm 28 Mar 2007
ATi 2600 Jun 28 2007
TSMC 65nm May 17 2006
NV 7700 Go Sep 14 2006
TSMC 80nm Jan 18 2006
ATi X1800 Oct 5 2005 - an interesting one, mostly a paper launch
TSMC 90nm Sep 20 2005
Hopefully this will be useful for future reference.
