At Les 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada, AMD revealed four processors in the latest Ryzen8000G “Phoenix” lineup of APUs for AM5 PCs, marking the debut of the company’s new platform with integrated graphics capable of 1080p for the first time. This release also introduces a more affordable entry point for AM5, offering a range of processors that cater to gaming enthusiasts. The flagship Ryzen 8000G processors stand out as the world’s first desktop CPUs featuring an integrated high-performance neural processing unit (NPU) designed to enhance AI workload performance, surpassing Intel once again. AMD has extended this innovation to laptops as well, integrating an NPU into its x86 chip. These advancements are now making their way into the PC market, targeting consumers looking for top-notch gaming experiences.
The leading models from AMD leverage the “XDNA” AI accelerator in combination with the powerful Zen 4 CPU microarchitecture and RDNA 3 graphics engine. Complementing these flagship processors are two lower-tier models that provide cost-effective solutions for entry-level gaming and compact form factor builds, incorporating Zen4c cores. The official launch date for these new processors is January 31.
AMD has set a high standard for entry-level gaming systems with its previous Ryzen 5000G series introduced in 2021, outperforming Intel’s offerings. With the introduction of the latest 65W APU lineup boasting newer architectures and higher clock speeds, AMD aims to build upon its success in the gaming market. The Ryzen 8000G series includes budget-friendly options like the Ryzen 5 8600G with Radeon 760M graphics and the Ryzen 7 8700G with enhanced specifications, offering improved performance at a competitive price point. The price gap between these new processors and their predecessors is a mere $30.
The Ryzen 8000G APUs are based on the Ryzen 8040 Series architecture, featuring a socketable control die designed for higher energy levels in desktop PCs. These new processors demonstrate improved CPU clock speeds across various workloads, with peak clock speeds reaching up to 5.1 GHz. Additionally, the AM5 platform introduces modern features such as DDR5 and PCIe 5.0, enhancing overall performance and efficiency compared to the previous generation APUs. The integration of DDR5 memory support will notably boost the performance of the integrated graphics.
While the new lineup is officially named after the Phoenix architecture, it incorporates enhancements from the Hawk Point models, including a faster XDNA accelerator and PCIe 5.0 support. These additions make the Ryzen 8000G series a compelling choice for consumers seeking cutting-edge features and performance in their PCs.
AMD’s collaboration with Intel on the Kaby Lake-G chips marked a significant milestone in the market, but with the dissolution of that partnership, Intel is now focusing on refreshing its existing 13th-Gen desktop processor lineup. AMD’s bundled coolers with the new processors provide an added advantage in the market, ensuring efficient cooling for optimal performance. The Ryzen 5000G series has been highly regarded for gaming, and the latest Ryzen 8000G lineup is poised to continue this legacy with its advanced features and competitive pricing.
In conclusion, the AMD Ryzen 8000G series represents a significant leap forward in desktop APU technology, offering enhanced AI capabilities, improved gaming performance, and support for the latest DDR5 and PCIe 5.0 standards. These processors are set to redefine the entry-level gaming segment and provide users with a compelling choice for their gaming and productivity needs. Stay tuned for further updates and benchmarks as these new processors hit the market on January 31.
