AMD floods us with Ryzen AI and unveils the processors of the next portable consoles

CES 2025 is an opportunity to AMD to renew and complete its different ranges of processors, and we can say that the manufacturer has pulled out all the stops. From models for desktop PC gamers to AI-powered products for laptops and a range of CPUs clearly intended for the next portable consoles, AMD’s catalog has just been enriched with around thirty new references in All.

Powerful Ryzen 9s for desktop and laptop PCs

Let’s start with what’s new for desktop computers: AMD formalizes its Ryzen 9 9950X3Da high-end model – the best for gamers and content creators according to the manufacturer – based on the architecture Zen 5. More precisely, it brings together 16 cores clocked at a frequency of up to 5.7 GHz and a total of 144 MB of cache memory, a large amount made possible thanks to 3D V-Cache technology. This is enough to offer, again according to AMD, average performance up 8% in game (in 1080p) compared to the current Ryzen 9 7950X3D, and 20% higher on average compared to a Core Ultra 9 285K from Intel under the same conditions.

It is accompanied by a slightly less impressive model, the Ryzen 9 9900X3D, equipped with “only” 12 cores and displaying a maximum frequency of 5.5 GHz. The consumption of these two monsters is of course commensurate with their performance, since their TDP reaches 170W and 120W respectively. Availability is scheduled for the first quarter of 2025.

On the laptop side, AMD presents three high-end models: the Ryzen 9 9850HX, 9955HX and 9955HX3D (« Fire Range “), the latter also benefiting from 3D cache memory. Also based on the Zen 5 architecture, they have 12 or 16 cores and display maximum frequencies of 5.2 GHz or 5.4 GHz depending on the model.

However, they are clearly not intended for devices aiming for the best possible autonomy, but rather for laptop gaming that will be transported from one electrical outlet to another: their typical consumption is announced at 54 watts, a value that manufacturers can adjust between 45W and 75W depending on the performance of the associated cooling system. They are expected for the first half of 2025.

Full of mobile Ryzen with AI

Until now composed of three Ryzen AI 9s, the Ryzen AI 300 Series range is expanding with the arrival of two new models with slightly more reasonable claims: the Ryzen AI 7 350 et Ryzen AI 5 340. The number of cores is of course lower, as is the Boost frequency, but they retain the hybrid Zen 5/Zen 5c architecture of their big brothers. The graphics part is also less powerful: here it is limited to a Radeon 860M or 840M, with only 8 or 4 graphics cores, compared to 12 to 16 CUs on the most powerful models in the range.

They display a typical consumption of 28W and benefit from an NPU displaying a computing power of 50 TOPSmaking them perfect models for (relatively) affordable, standalone Copilot+ certified laptops. Note that Pro versions of these two processors are also launched, with security features dedicated to the enterprise market.

On the performance side, AMD claims that the Ryzen AI 7 350 is on average 35% faster than the Qualcomm at Intel with these same software. The availability of these new processors is planned for the first quarter of 2025, with the Pro versions arriving later.

AMD also launches its range of mobile processors Ryzen AI Max and Max+ (and their Pro variants) with four models in total: the Ryzen AI Max+ (Pro) 395, Ryzen AI Max (Pro) 390, Ryzen AI Max (Pro) 385 and the Ryzen AI Max Pro 380. Impressive, they bring together cores Zen 5, up to 40 RDNA 3.5 graphics units and an XDNA 2 engine to accelerate AI calculations with 50 TOPS power under the hood. With such high-end features, they should be found in Copilot+ laptops like Premium.

Their performance, according to the manufacturer, is incommensurable with that of competing Intel processors in terms of 3D rendering or AI performance. Their consumption is, however, relatively high: between 45 and 120W, depending on the associated cooling system. Suffice to say that they will have difficulty staying away from an electrical outlet for hours. They are expected between the first and second quarters of the year.

Finally, AMD is adding some models of Ryzen 200 Series to its catalog. These mobile processors have more reasonable specifications: based on the aging Zen 4 architecture, they are intended for entry- and mid-range laptops that do not need the highest possible performance.

Their graphics part is also of an old generation, and their AI calculation acceleration engine is limited to a peak power of 16 TOPS (the Ryzen 3 210 and Ryzen 5 220 are even completely devoid of NPU), insufficient for obtain the Copilot+ label. In return, their energy consumption is lower and can be configured by the integrator between 15W and 54W, depending on the model. They will appear from the second quarter of 2025.

Three new Ryzen processors for portable consoles

The icing on the cake is that AMD has unveiled three processor models clearly intended for the next portable consoles: the Ryzen Z2 Series. The manufacturer does not explicitly indicate where these Z2 processors will end up, but with a launch expected for the first quarter of the year, we can expect that new consoles to be shipped anywhere are already in the boxes from Asus, Valve or Lenovo… or even other new arrivals in this increasingly competitive market?

???? To not miss any news from 01net, follow us on Google News and WhatsApp.