PC enthusiasts should prepare for a significant shift. AMD's new enthusiast-grade Ryzen AI MAX+ 395, codenamed "Strix Halo," is generating excitement. Early 3DMark benchmarks are appearing. The integrated Radeon 8060S graphics are delivering performance that is surprisingly strong. This could signal the start of truly powerful integrated graphics.
Strix Halo's iGPU: A Performance Leap
Leaked 3DMark Time Spy results present an exciting picture. The Ryzen AI MAX+ 395 APU, featuring the Radeon 8060S iGPU with 40 Compute Units (CUs), reportedly achieved a graphics score of 10,106 points. To understand this performance, consider these comparisons:
| Graphics Card | 3DMark Time Spy Graphics Score (Approximate) |
|---|---|
| Intel Arc B580 (Dedicated GPU) | ~14,700 |
| AMD Radeon RX 7600 (Dedicated GPU) | ~10,990 |
| NVIDIA RTX 4060 (Dedicated GPU) | ~10,614 |
| AMD Radeon 8060S (Strix Halo iGPU) | ~10,106 |
| NVIDIA RTX 3060 (Dedicated GPU) | ~8,746 |
| Intel Arc 140V (Core Ultra 9 288V iGPU) | ~3,996 |
| Radeon 890M (Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 iGPU) | ~3,367 |
The Radeon 8060S iGPU in Strix Halo surpasses previous generation integrated graphics significantly. It competes closely with entry-level dedicated graphics cards like the NVIDIA RTX 3060 and approaches the RTX 4060 and Radeon RX 7600. This represents a massive performance increase for integrated graphics.
The Power Behind Strix Halo
Several factors contribute to this impressive performance:
- 40 RDNA 3.5 Compute Units: The Radeon 8060S contains double the compute units of prior top-tier AMD iGPUs like the Radeon 890M. More cores provide greater processing power.
- High Bandwidth: Strix Halo is designed with up to 256 GB/s of memory bandwidth. This bandwidth is essential for supplying data to the powerful iGPU and preventing bottlenecks.
- Increased TDP: Strix Halo APUs are expected to have a TDP up to 120W. This is considerably higher than the 30-45W TDP of standard mobile Ryzen chips. This higher TDP allows for improved sustained performance.
Implications and Future Outlook
If these benchmarks are accurate, AMD's Strix Halo APUs could be transformative for the mobile and ultraportable PC market. Laptop users could experience near-dedicated GPU level performance without needing a separate graphics card. This could result in:
- Thinner and Lighter Gaming Laptops: Dedicated GPUs and their substantial cooling systems become less necessary.
- More Powerful Ultraportables: Gaming and content creation become feasible on thin and light laptops.
- Increased Efficiency: Integrated graphics can offer better power efficiency than discrete GPUs in some situations.
As RDNA architectures evolve, integrated graphics are expected to become even more capable. AMD's Strix Halo might be the start of a new era for iGPU performance.
The arrival of Strix Halo-powered PCs in the first half of 2025 is anticipated. The real-world impact of this technology will then be observable. The future for mobile gaming and content creation appears promising.
Source: Baidu Forums