For years, AMD has been known for its exceptional APUs with integrated graphics, offering impressive performance despite average CPU cores. However, the absence of AM5 models with genuine graphical capabilities has left enthusiasts wanting more. But all that is about to change. According to recent reports, AMD is gearing up to release APUs with powerful RDNA 3 integrated graphics, promising a significant leap in performance. This article delves into the details of this upcoming release and the potential it holds for desktop users.
The latest firmware, AMD AGESA 1.0.8.0, has revealed support for an unannounced family of APUs based on the AMD Phoenix architecture. These APUs, speculated to be part of the Ryzen 7000G series, will mark a significant advancement in integrated graphics capabilities. Although primarily found in laptops currently, these Phoenix APUs are expected to make their way into desktop systems soon, offering enhanced graphical performance and unlocking new possibilities for gamers and content creators alike.
Unleashing the Power of RDNA 3
One of the most exciting aspects of the upcoming Ryzen 7000G series APUs is the integration of RDNA 3 graphics architecture. These APUs will feature impressive Radeon 780M integrated graphics with 12 CUs (or 768 stream processors), far surpassing the 2 CU RDNA 2 count of previous Zen 4 based Ryzen 7000-series CPUs. This substantial increase in graphical horsepower will undoubtedly outperform the aging Vega based integrated graphics of Ryzen 5000G APUs and potentially even challenge Intel’s Raptor Lake offerings. While the integrated graphics of Intel’s upcoming Meteor Lake architecture may present some competition, it is expected to excel primarily in NUC or embedded form.
Initial performance benchmarks from devices such as the Asus ROG Ally, which features a similar 12 CU Radeon 780M, provide a glimpse into the capabilities of the Ryzen 7000G series APUs. While the benchmarks reflect the power limitations of a handheld gaming device, they showcase the APU’s potential to handle modern games at 1080p resolution with lower quality settings. For less demanding titles like WoW or DOTA 2, the Ryzen 7000G series APUs are expected to perform admirably, especially when coupled with AMD’s FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) technology.
One of the significant advantages of desktop APUs is their flexibility, allowing users to add a discrete graphics card in the future if required. The Phoenix laptop APUs already support 20 usable PCIe 4.0 lanes, potentially enabling a primary GPU slot at x16 (or two x8/x8 slots) and an additional x4 slot for an M.2 drive. As we eagerly await the release of Phoenix desktop APUs, it remains to be seen how they will perform without the power constraints associated with laptops or handheld devices. Nevertheless, for users with older or low-end graphics cards, a system equipped with a Ryzen 7000G series APU presents an affordable and viable upgrade path.
The arrival of APUs with RDNA 3 integrated graphics marks an exciting turning point for AMD and its users. The Ryzen 7000G series APUs, based on the AMD Phoenix architecture, are set to provide a substantial boost in graphical performance, rivaling dedicated graphics cards of previous generations. With the ability to handle modern games at 1080p resolution and the option to add a discrete graphics card down the line, these APUs are poised to be a game-changer for both casual and budget-conscious gamers. As AMD continues its unwavering support for the AM5 socket, users can look forward to a future-proof upgrade path and an enhanced computing experience.
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