AMD Expands Ryzen Z2 Series with AI-Powered and Entry-Level APUs

Introduction to AMD’s Ryzen Z2 Series Update

AMD has recently unveiled enhancements to its Ryzen Z2 series, tailored for portable gaming systems. The latest additions to the lineup, namely the Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme and Ryzen Z2 A, are designed to deliver AI-driven, high-end performance and a power-efficient, entry-level experience, respectively.

Specifications of the New Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme

The Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme, an AI-enhanced variant of the previously announced Z2 Extreme chip, is based on the cutting-edge Zen 5 architecture. This processor is equipped with 8 cores and 16 threads, complemented by 16 GPU cores utilizing RDNA 3.5 technology. The GPU configuration mirrors that of the AMD Radeon 9 Radeon 370M found in the top-tier Strix Points APU Ryzen AI 370 HX 890, signifying a performance boost of approximately 20% over its predecessors.

In terms of innovation, the Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme integrates a dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU), marking a first for AMD. This NPU boasts an impressive performance capability of up to 50 TOPS for artificial intelligence tasks. The APU operates within a TDP range of 15 to 30W. Notably, there is a slight enhancement in memory support, with the Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme accommodating memory speeds of 8000 MT/s, which is 500 MHz faster than the standard Ryzen Z2 and 1600 MHz above the Ryzen Z2 Go.

Key Features of AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme

• 16 GPU Cores RDNA 3.5
• 8 Cores, 16 Threads Zen 5
• 15-36W TDP
• 50 AI TOPS NPU
• Copilot+PC

Introducing the AMD Ryzen Z2 A APU

Targeting entry-level portable devices, the Ryzen Z2 A employs the tried-and-tested Zen 2 architecture. This processor features 4 cores and 8 threads, with an 8-core GPU based on RDNA 2 architecture. Operating with a low TDP range of 6 to 20W, the Z2 A model prioritizes battery efficiency, making it ideal for consoles where power conservation is key.

Both APUs are anticipated to be integrated into devices akin to the Steam Deck or refreshed iterations of Ryzen Z1-based consoles. Notably, the newly launched Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X are powered by the Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme and Z2 A, respectively.

Key Features of AMD Ryzen Z2 A

• 8 GPU Cores RDNA 2
• 4 Cores, 8 Threads Zen 2
• 6-20W TDP

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