AMD Ryzen AI 300 series Strix Point CPUs are here with Zen 5!

AMD recently announced its Strix Point CPUs at Computex alongside the Ryzen 9000 series desktop processors with brand new Zen 5 architecture, improved graphics, and powerful AI. In this article, let’s take a quick look at the new AMD “Ryzen AI 300” mobile processor and what they have to offer in terms of performance and value. 

AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series Processors

AI goodness

Since AMD has decided to stick “AI” directly into the names of its processors, I couldn’t help but start by talking about the new XDNA 2 Neural processing unit (NPU). This time around, the NPU in the Strix Point CPUs can push up to 50 TOPS which is a lot higher than the current Meteor Lake and Ryzen 8040 offerings. While Apple’s M4 chip and Intel’s upcoming Lunar Lake come close, AMD is surely banking on getting the crown for the most powerful NPU on a mobile chip. Not many applications make use of the feature right now, but Microsoft’s Copilot+ program should bring about interesting stuff like Live Captions with real-time transcription and translation, image Cocreator with text-to-image abilities, and Recall with the power to memorize EVERYTHING - yeah that one’s scary! Moreover, manufacturers are also adding their own flares for a tailored experience with Asus Story Cube, Acer Live Art, and HP AI companion.

New Zen 5 CPU architecture

AMD has improved the overall CPU performance in Strix Point by tweaking a few things on the new architecture. The Zen 5 Ryzen processors have higher instructions per cycle (IPC), better integer execution capabilities, a larger execution window, and more memory bandwidth. Moreover, they now feature Zen 5 full-size cores (based on TSMC 4nm) alongside more compact Zen 5c cores (based on TSMC 3nm) for improved efficiency as well. In terms of TDP, the two SKUs currently available can be configured from 15-54W.  That means we are likely going to see these chips in a wide range of laptops from slim ultrabooks to gaming giants.  

An improved GPU too

The Ryzen AI 300 chips also bring improvement in the GPU side of things with their newer RDNA 3.5 architecture. At the time of writing, the AMD AI chips: Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 and Ryzen AI 9 365, feature Radeon 880M and Radeon 890 integrated GPUs with 12 CUs (computing units) and 16 CUs respectively. In terms of gaming, the new chipsets should offer superior frame rates than current competitors from Intel or Qualcomm. According to the company, you can expect an average of 36% bump in power. Moreover, the graphics are more efficient and hence have higher performance per watt (up to 32%) than 7000 series chips.

Ryzen Strix Point CPUs and Availability

Laptops with the new Ryzen AI 300 chips have already started shipping around the globe. They boast better efficiency, faster performance, and improved graphical prowess. Moreover, they are also better at productivity stuff and have better app support (relative to ARM chips).  Some of the recent launches include the HP Omnibook Ultra 14 and the Asus Pro Art P16 with more laptops joining the parade soon. 

• Meanwhile, check out our video on all the AI features that you can play with here: