AMD to Use Ryzen 8050 Series Numbering for “Strix Point” Mobile CPUs

Introduction

AMD has been making waves in the processor market, and their upcoming “Strix Point” mobile processors are no exception. Leaked Lenovo product flyers have hinted at the possibility of AMD’s next-gen mobile processors using the Ryzen 8050 series numbering. But what exactly does this mean, and what can we expect from these chips?

Let’s break it down.

The Evolution of Ryzen Mobile Processors

Before we delve into the Ryzen 8050 series, let’s take a quick look at the evolution of AMD’s mobile processors:

1. Ryzen 7030 Series: These processors were based on the “Rembrand-R” silicon and featured the “Zen 3” microarchitecture.
2. Ryzen 7040 Series: The next iteration used the newer “Phoenix” silicon and boasted the “Zen 4” architecture.
3. Ryzen 8040 Series (“Hawk Point”): These chips are currently shipping to notebook manufacturers and are based on the “Hawk Point” silicon with the existing “Zen 4” microarchitecture.

The Strix Point: Ryzen 8050 Series

Now, let’s focus on the Ryzen 8050 series, codenamed “Strix Point.” Here’s what we know so far:

1. Processor Numbering: The numeral “5” in the Lenovo flyer lends credence to the theory that the 8050 series will indeed be “Strix Point.” This suggests that these chips will be based on the latest “Zen 5” CPU cores.
2. AI Performance: The Ryzen 8050 series is expected to feature a 50 AI TOPS-class NPU (Neural Processing Unit). This means significant improvements in AI-related tasks.
3. Updated iGPU: The integrated GPU (iGPU) will be based on the RDNA 3+ architecture, promising better graphics performance.

XDNA 2 NPU Architecture

In addition to the above, AMD has announced the XDNA 2 NPU architecture for the “Strix Point” processors. While the “Phoenix” processors offered 10 TOPS (Tera Operations Per Second) of NPU performance, AMD claims an “over 3 times” improvement for “Strix Point.” This likely translates to around 32 TOPS for AI workloads.

What’s Next?

AMD’s 2024 Computex address promises exciting announcements across various processor segments. We can expect details on “Zen 5”-based client and commercial processors, next-gen EPYC “Zen 5” server processors, and perhaps even the Radeon RX RDNA 4 graphics cards.

In summary, the Ryzen 8050 series (“Strix Point”) is poised to bring impressive performance gains, especially in AI workloads. As AMD continues to innovate, we eagerly await the official unveiling of these processors.

Stay tuned for more updates as we approach the launch date! 🎉