AMD Unveils Latest AI PC and Graphics Chips at CES 2025
A Glimpse into AMD’s AI Computing Future
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD) is making waves in the tech world with its latest announcements at CES 2025 in Las Vegas. The company has unveiled its new Ryzen AI Max, Ryzen AI 300, and Ryzen AI 200 central processing units (CPUs) for AI PCs, as well as high-powered chips for gaming desktops and laptops and handheld gaming systems.
Ryzen AI Max: The Flagship of AMD’s AI Lineup
The Ryzen AI Max chips are designed to be the crème de la crème of AMD’s AI lineup. These processors are targeted at high-powered laptops, catering specifically to gamers and content creators who require top-notch performance. According to AMD, these chips will feature up to 128GB of unified memory and a neural processing unit capable of up to 50 TOPS (trillions of operations per second).
TOPs (Trillion Operations Per Second) is a widely accepted metric for measuring the AI performance of a chip. Several major players in the semiconductor industry, including AMD, Intel, Nvidia, and Qualcomm, are actively promoting TOPs as the key specification for consumers to consider when selecting an AI PC.
Ryzen AI Max PRO Series: Enhanced Security and Management
AMD has also announced the availability of a PRO series within the Ryzen AI Max lineup. This variant will come equipped with AMD PRO capabilities, which include enhanced security features and enterprise management functionality. These additions are designed to provide businesses with greater peace of mind when deploying AI PCs across their organizations.
Ryzen AI 300 and AI 200: Balancing Performance and Affordability
In addition to the high-end Ryzen AI Max processors, AMD has also showcased its Ryzen AI 300 and AI 200 series chips. These CPUs are designed for AI PCs that don’t require the extreme performance of the Ryzen AI Max processors but still need robust AI capabilities.
Like their more powerful counterparts, the Ryzen AI 300 and AI 300 Pros offer 50 TOPS of AI performance, making them suitable for running Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC apps. These apps include features like Recall and Click to Do, which enable users to capture snapshots of their activity, quickly resume where they left off, and take dynamic actions related to on-screen text and images.
Ryzen 200: A More Affordable Option
The Ryzen 200 series represents AMD’s more affordable offering in the AI PC space. Although these processors offer only 16 TOPS, they are designed for consumers and businesses that require a balance between performance and affordability. While they may not be able to run the most advanced AI applications, the Ryzen 200 series still provides users with a capable entry-point into the world of AI PCs.
Gaming-Focused CPUs: Meeting the Needs of PC Gamers
Beyond its AI-focused offerings, AMD has also announced a range of new gaming-centric CPUs for desktops, laptops, and handheld PCs. For hardcore gamers and content creators, there’s the Ryzen 9950X3D and Ryzen 9900X3D processors. These chips are designed to deliver exceptional performance in games that require high-end processing capabilities.
Gamers seeking powerful yet portable options will be interested in AMD’s new Ryzen 9000HX Series chips. These processors offer improved temperature control, which can lead to extended battery life on laptops.
Finally, AMD has unveiled its Ryzen Z2 Series gaming chips specifically designed for handheld gaming systems. Handheld PCs are essentially miniature consoles that run Windows or Linux-based operating systems and allow users to play PC games on the go. The Ryzen Z2 Series offers a powerful yet compact solution for gamers who prefer the convenience of a portable console.
A Chip Market Showdown in 2025?
AMD’s announcements at CES 2025 come as the company seeks to gain ground against its primary competitor, Intel. AMD is also poised to challenge Qualcomm, which has been steadily gaining traction in the PC market. While Intel faces significant challenges in its turnaround effort following a tumultuous year in 2024, AMD appears well-positioned for what could be a pivotal year in the chip market.
Stay tuned for more updates from CES 2025 and follow our coverage of the latest technology news that impacts the stock market.
