Hold on to your silicon socks, folks! AMD is about to unleash a technological marvel upon the desktop CPU landscape. Brace yourselves for the Ryzen 8000 desktop lineup, featuring the long-awaited Strix Point APUs. Rumored to sport the powerful Zen 5 cores and RDNA 3+/3.5 iGPU, these APUs are poised to shake things up. But wait, there's more! According to recent reports, these mighty Strix Point chips might skip the small Zen 5c cores altogether, packing only the big guns. Let's dive into the cheeky details, shall we?
The Strix Point Revelation:
In a recent webcast, AMD dropped the bombshell that their upcoming Ryzen 8000 Zen 5 series would feature a Navi 3.5 GPU. Now, what does that mean for us mere mortals? Well, it implies that the much-anticipated Strix Point APUs might just make their grand entrance on the AM5 platform. And don't worry, AM5 will be around until at least 2026, so you'll have plenty of time to bask in its glory.
Zen 5 and RDNA 3+/3.5: The Power Couple:
For those unfamiliar with the Strix Point APUs, allow me to enlighten you. These beauties are rumored to combine the formidable Zen 5 or Zen 5c cores (or perhaps just Zen 5) with the splendid RDNA 3+/3.5 graphics architecture. According to an earlier report, we might see two SKUs: the Strix Point with up to 12 Zen 5/5c cores and a 16 Compute Units RDNA 3+ iGPU, and the Strix "Halo" with up to a 16-core Zen 5 CPU and a 40 CU RDNA 3.5 iGPU. Now that's what I call power in a pint-sized package!
The Potential Demise of Low-End GPUs:
Hold your budget gaming GPUs tight, my friends, because the arrival of the Strix Point APUs might render them obsolete. The latest information suggests that these APUs could grace our desktops, making those low-end graphics cards quiver in their slots. Who needs discrete graphics when you can have a capable iGPU right at your fingertips? Prepare to bid farewell to your underwhelming visuals and embrace the integrated graphics revolution!
Die Size and Pricing Shenanigans:
Now, let's talk numbers, shall we? According to Moore's Law Is Dead (MLID) and their inside sources, the 4 nm Strix Point APU boasts a die size of "over 200 mm2." That's no small fry! It seems the packaging costs for these APUs will be comparable to the Granite Ridge desktop Zen 5 CPU. So, if AMD decides to price the Strix Point APU based on CPU performance, it might not offer a significant cost advantage over the vanilla Zen 5 desktop parts. In other words, don't expect a bargain-bin price tag on these bad boys. But hey, who needs savings when you can have cutting-edge technology, right?
Zen 5 vs. Zen 5c: Gaming Performance Debacle?
Here's an interesting twist: we might witness the Ryzen 8000 APUs opting for Zen 5 cores exclusively, completely skipping the TDP-limited Zen 5c cores. According to MLID's sources, these "c" cores, while energy-efficient, could lead to gaming performance degradation compared to the full-fledged Zen 5 cores running at speeds exceeding 5 GHz. It seems AMD is not willing to compromise on gaming excellence, and frankly, who can blame them?
The Great I/O Dilemma:
MLID's speculative report suggests that the Strix Point AM5 APUs might have limited I/O capabilities compared to their Granite Ridge counterparts. This implies that these APUs could be either low-end products or processors focused primarily on iGPU performance. Perhaps they will be priced accordingly, offering a cost-effective solution for those seeking graphical prowess without breaking the bank. It's a tantalizing proposition, but let's remember that this information is shrouded in uncertainty.
Conclusion:
As we eagerly await the arrival of the Ryzen 8000 desktop lineup, featuring the Strix Point APUs, the world of computer and technology enthusiasts buzzes with excitement. The prospect of Zen 5 cores, RDNA 3+/3.5 iGPU, and potential cost-effectiveness is enough to make any tech aficionado weak at the knees. However, let's keep in mind that while these reports are intriguing, they remain largely speculative. So, take it all with a pinch of salt, keep your expectations in check, and get ready to be pleasantly surprised when AMD reveals the truth behind the Strix Point APUs. Until then, keep that cheeky grin on your face, my fellow tech enthusiasts!
