AMD Ryzen AI MAX review
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
AMD Ryzen AI MAX review
The AMD Ryzen AI MAX+ 395 chip reviews are highly positive, highlighting its "Strix Halo" architecture as a powerful, efficient chip for mini PCs and laptops, delivering strong CPU/GPU performance (competing with desktop parts), massive potential VRAM (up to 128GB) for AI/ML, and beating Intel's offerings in many tasks, though software support for AI can still be maturing. Users praise its gaming/productivity capabilities, low power draw for the performance, and potential as an affordable AI unicorn, but some mini PCs using it have quirky designs or cooling challenges
The AMD Ryzen AI MAX series (Strix Halo) offers
revolutionary performance for laptops and mini-PCs, combining powerful Zen 5 CPU cores, strong RDNA 3.5 integrated graphics (like the Radeon 8050S/8060S), and a significant XDNA 2 NPU for impressive AI, gaming, and creative workloads, competing strongly with Apple Silicon in efficiency and power, though system-specific cooling and drivers (especially Linux) can impact real-world results. Reviewers praise its high performance, efficiency, and ability to run large language models locally, making it ideal for portable creators and AI enthusiasts, while dedicated gaming rigs still offer peak FPS for hardcore gamers
Key Strengths:
Performance: Offers desktop-class CPU and high-end iGPU performance, often outperforming competitors like Intel's Core Ultra in mixed workloads.
AI & ML: Its large memory bus (256-bit) and potential for huge shared VRAM (up to 128GB) make it excellent for local AI model development and inference, a "game changer" for enthusiasts.
Efficiency: Delivers high performance with relatively low power consumption (around 45-120W TDP), making it great for compact systems.
Versatility: Supports both Windows for gaming/general use and Linux for specialized AI workloads
Common Criticisms & Considerations:
Software Support: While hardware is strong, drivers and software (like PyTorch/Llama.cpp) sometimes need more optimization for AMD hardware.
Mini PC Designs: Some mini PCs using the chip have criticized aesthetics or cooling solutions, though this varies by manufacturer.
Value vs. Power: While a strong performer, it's a high-end chip, but costs/power can rival or exceed entry-level dedicated GPUs for specific tasks, though with better VRAM flexibility.
Considerations:
System Implementation: Performance varies significantly by device; mini-PCs (like Minisforum, Beelink) and laptops (HP ZBook, ASUS ROG) leverage different cooling and power delivery, impacting heat and noise.
Linux Support: While generally good, driver maturity can vary, with some users reporting NIC issues on specific hardware.
Target Audience: Best for users needing integrated power for AI, content creation, and gaming in thin/light or small form factors; traditional high-end gaming PCs still offer peak FPS for dedicated gamers
Overall Verdict:
The Ryzen AI MAX+ 395 is a powerful SoC for users wanting top-tier integrated graphics, strong CPU power, and significant VRAM for AI/ML in a compact form factor, offering great performance-per-watt, especially for developers and power users.
Watch this video for a review of the GMKtec Evo-X2, a mini PC featuring the Ryzen AI MAX+ 395:
Popular Models:
Ryzen AI MAX+ 395: The flagship Strix Halo chip, a 16-core powerhouse with top-tier integrated graphics.
Ryzen AI MAX PRO 390: A powerful 12-core variant, offering excellent balance and efficiency.
Ryzen AI MAX+ 388: An 8-core option with strong RDNA 3+ graphics, good for mid-range performance.
In summary, the Ryzen AI MAX series represents a major shift, delivering powerful, efficient, AI-capable computing in a highly integrated package, making it a top choice for future-focused laptops and mini-PC
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