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For years in the Windows world, the term “integrated graphics unit” has been associated with the implication that 3D games only run with limited graphics settings – if at all. This is because there have only been comparatively weak versions so far, meaning an additional GPU was required for higher 3D performance. But it doesn’t depend on design: Apple’s Pro, Max and Ultra mobile processors include powerful integrated GPUs and game consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox series.
AMD is now launching the first Ryzen SoC at CES 2025, which goes in the same direction: the series developed under the code name Strix Halo can be found in stores as Ryzen AI Max. The package combines two CPU chiplets with eight Zen 5 cores with an SoC chiplet containing 40 compute units (CUs) or 2560 shader cores of the RDNA 3.5 graphics architecture. To fill it with data, the Strix Halo has a memory interface that is twice as wide as usual, namely 256 bits (“quad-channel”). Of course, CPU cores use it too. For comparison: the normal Ryzen AI 300 is satisfied with 1024 shaders.
What exactly caused Strix Halo to be brought down is unclear at this time. The previously distributed material contained no specific benchmark results, but only relative percentages with changing counterparts: AMD beat Intel’s (obviously weaker) Core Ultra 200V for 3D benchmarks and Apple’s M4 Pro for CPU benchmarks. Chose. Unfortunately, there was no trace of a CPU comparison with more powerful Intel CPUs or a 3D bar chart against Nvidia GPUs like the GeForce RTX 4050/4060. However, in practice, it will probably depend on what notebook manufacturers do with it. In theory, AMD allows a wide TDP range of 45 to 120 watts, which has a huge impact on performance.
The first devices with Ryzen AI Max come from HP and Asus.
(Image: AMD)
One of the first devices with Ryzen AI Max will be Asus’ ROG Flow Z13, a Surface Pro-style tablet. Asus has already equipped its 2022 predecessor with a 14-core CPU and a GeForce RTX 4070, but the latter was running at a much lower clock speed: the GPU performed significantly slower in 3D than a similar chip in a gaming notebook with an extensive cooling system. Provided performance. HP, in turn, is planning Ryzen AI Max only for workstations, but wants to bring two Strix Halo devices with the compact notebook ZBook Ultra G1a and mini PC Z2 mini G1a. We don’t have any details yet about local pricing and specific device types. Regarding availability, AMD only gives a rough range between the first and second quarter of 2025.
main stream
Like the Ryzen AI 300 (Strix Point), the Ryzen AI Max (Strix Halo) includes an AI accelerator (Neural Processing Unit, NPU) that meets Microsoft’s requirement for the Copilot+ marketing label and Windows 11’s related AI features. Is. However, the latter devices, which were announced six months ago, are still barely available and very expensive (and the Strix Halo is undoubtedly more expensive).
Ryzen AI Max Model Overview.
(Image: AMD)
The mainstream version Kraken Point (previously known as Kraken Point in the rumor mill) is now coming to CES and is aimed at enabling affordable notebooks. The chips move into the Ryzen AI 300 family, like the Strix Point – but now not just as the Ryzen AI 9 with up to 12 cores, but as the eight-core Ryzen AI 7 350 and six-core Ryzen AI 5 340.
Model overview of the smaller Ryzen AI 300.
(Image: AMD)
We believe that the availability of notebooks with Ryzen AI 300 will now be better overall: Strix Point and Kraken Point share the same platform (FP8). However, this is still limited: all previous Strix Point devices have soldered-on LPDDR5 memory; Only with Kraken Point firmware inserted is ready to accept DDR5-SO-DIMM. Some notebook manufacturers had to wait for this and are now able to prepare their devices for the market only with replaceable RAM – even if they use Strix Point twelve-core processors that actually last half a year. Is old.
rebranding
In addition to the CPUs suitable for Copilot+ due to their powerful NPU, AMD already had Ryzen processors in its portfolio with the 8000 model number. These mainly get new names in the 2025 refresh: from now on they run as Ryzen 200. The suffix “AI” is missing because the older NPU is not suitable for Copilot+ and is also disabled in some Ryzen 3 and Ryzen 5 variants.
AMD’s Z2 processor family is used in gaming handhelds.
(Image: AMD)
Another offshoot of this older generation of chips is the Z2 family, created for the comparatively new product category of gaming handhelds. Specifically, AMD is promising new versions of Asus’ ROG Alley, Lenovo’s Legion Go, and Valve’s Steam Deck. What’s new is that compared to the Z1 generation there are now three chip variants: the Z2 Extreme as a full version, the Z2 with a reduced number of graphics cores and the new Z2 Go with an additional CPU up to half that, up to four cores.
Overview of the new version Ryzen 200.
(Image: AMD)
The announcement is made as part of the CES 2025 technology trade fair, Heise Median is the Official Media Partner of CES 2025.
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