A render sourced from AMD’s internal materials confirms the APU’s chiplet configuration Strix Halo. At the top, two chiplets are visible, each with eight large cores Zen 5produced on TSMC’s 4nm lines. Below is a large central chiplet with integrated graphics, memory interface and other connectivity. According to some sources (not yet confirmed), the central chiplet may contain four cores It was 5cwhich are meant to serve low loads so that the processor chiplets and thus the Infinity Fabric interface can be deactivated at rest, saving some power. It is not yet known whether this quartet of cores It was 5c will be able to participate in multi-core performance. In practice, this could mean 15-20% extra performance (depending on the number of clocks supported) in a well-scalable multi-core workload.
The central chiplet also contains graphics with 40 CU (2560 stream-processors) RDNA 3.5, which, thanks to the 256-bit bus in combination with the 32 MB SLC/MALL cache, should achieve performance at the level of the mobile GeForce RTX 4070. The 32 MB cache can theoretically be located as in the central chiplet itself, as well as in the common silicon substrate that carries the chiplets. What solution AMD will choose remains to be seen.
LPDDR5X-8533 memories will be installed in 32GB and 64GB configurations. AMD anticipates that in the second half of the year it will expand the offer to include a 128GB variant, which will find application in the segment of mobile workstations (rather than game systems).
Strix Halo (MLID)
At CES (in Las Vegas, January 7-10, 2025) the new APU will be launched, during the first quarter notebooks designed as workstations will go on the market, and in the second quarter the offer will be expanded to include gaming models. According to MLID, some game models could appear even earlier, but probably only on a limited basis – their wider offer will be brought in the second quarter (spring).
If Fr Strix Halo high interest, there may also be a release in the SFF (Small Form Factor) segment, so the powerful APU could also appear in powerful mini PCs.
It will be a product that will completely lack competition from Intel, not only in terms of the existence of a direct competitor (Intel was working on such a solution, but postponed it indefinitely), but also in terms of the combination of a separate processor and separate graphics. With Arc graphics Battlemage because Intel no longer calculates according to the available sources for notebooks. In the x86 world, the only alternative will be a combination of mobile Arrow Lake from Intel and mobile GeForce from Nvidia.
AMD’s Strix Halo: The Future of APUs?
Well, folks, grab your popcorn because AMD is about to launch its new APU, the Strix Halo, and it looks more promising than a Netflix series after its first season! You hear that, Intel? The sound of silence, because no one’s tuning in to your lack of competition!
Chiplet Configuration: Zen to the Max
According to some rather sneaky renders leaked from AMD’s internal boardroom talks (I imagine there’s a secret handshake involved), the Strix Halo features a rather cheeky chiplet configuration. At the top of the food chain, there are two hefty chiplets, each boasting *eight* large cores of the latest and greatest Zen 5 architecture, produced on TSMC’s shiny 4nm lines. Talk about a power lunch!
Now, perched below these chiplets like a protective parent is a large central chiplet. It’s got integrated graphics, memory interface, and connectivity, which quite frankly sounds more loaded than my last comedy set! And here’s where it gets interesting: according to whispers in the tech grapevine, this central chiplet might throw in four additional low-load cores labeled It was 5c. These little guys are supposed to kick in when the going gets easy, allowing the bigger chiplets to relax and save some power, which is basically what we all wish we could do on a Monday morning, right?
Graphics Power: A Serious Heavyweight
But wait—there’s more! Let’s talk graphics! The central chiplet is packing some serious heat with 40 Compute Units (that’s 2560 stream-processors for those playing along at home) from the RDNA 3.5 camp. It’s like AMD said, “Why not rival the mobile GeForce RTX 4070?” And they went full throttle with a 256-bit bus and a 32 MB SLC/MALL cache. The tech jargon is abundant, but in layman’s terms? This thing can toss pixels around faster than a magician pulling rabbits out of hats!
Memory Madness: Go Big or Go Home
Moving along like a well-oiled machine, the Strix Halo will support LPDDR5X-8533 memories with configurations of 32GB and 64GB. And as if that’s not enough, AMD plans to grace us with a 128GB version later this year—perfect if your gaming needs were holding a seance and wanted to summon some serious power! Oh, and this 128GB will be aimed at mobile workstations, which is basically just a fancy way of saying, “You can finally do everything on your laptop!”
What Lies Ahead: Launching the APU
Mark your calendars because the Strix Halo is set to make its grand entrance at CES in January 2025. That’s in Las Vegas, baby! Then, in the first quarter, we’ll see notebooks aimed at workstations hit the market. Gaming models are gracing us with their presence in spring, because, you know, they really can’t wait to show off their skills!
Now, if there’s enough buzz around the Strix Halo, we might even witness it making a splash in the Small Form Factor (SFF) segment. Who doesn’t love the idea of such power packaged in a mini PC? It’s like a heavyweight champion in a featherweight fight!
A Clear Winner: No Intel In Sight
Here’s the kicker: the Strix Halo is sailing into a competition-free zone when it comes to Intel. While Intel fiddles around with their chips and graphics setups, AMD is strutting its stuff like a peacock with a better algorithm. The only real contenders will be a combination of mobile Arrow Lake processors from Intel with GeForce graphics from Nvidia—which feels a bit like pairing fine wine with dumpster pizza, if you ask me!
In the world of tech, AMD seems to be the crowd favorite at the moment, and with the Strix Halo making waves, it’s safe to say we’re in for quite the show. Power, performance, and precision—AMD is ready to dish out a serve, and I can’t wait to see how the audience responds!
Strix Halo (MLID)
A newly leaked rendering from AMD’s internal resources dramatically reveals the advanced chiplet architecture of the upcoming APU known as Strix Halo. Positioned prominently at the top are two chiplets, each housing eight robust Zen 5 cores, fabricated using TSMC’s cutting-edge 4nm technology. Underneath these cores lies a sizable central chiplet that integrates graphics capabilities, a memory interface, and various connectivity options. Although this detail is not confirmed, early reports suggest that this central chiplet could also house four additional It was 5c cores designed to handle low workloads. This innovative configuration allows the main processor chiplets and the Infinity Fabric interface to remain inactive during idle periods, which is aimed at enhancing power efficiency. Whether these It was 5c cores will contribute to the overall multi-core performance remains uncertain, but they could potentially add an impressive 15-20% performance boost under optimized multi-core workloads, depending on the clock speeds achievable.
The central chiplet boasts an impressive graphics component featuring 40 Compute Units (CUs), equivalent to 2560 stream processors based on the RDNA 3.5 architecture. This graphical power, in conjunction with its 256-bit memory bus and 32 MB SLC/MALL cache, is projected to deliver performance rivaling that of the mobile GeForce RTX 4070 GPU. It remains to be seen if AMD will choose to embed the 32 MB cache directly within the central chiplet or allocate it within the shared silicon substrate that accommodates all chiplets.
In terms of memory, the APU will support LPDDR5X-8533 configurations, initially available in 32GB and 64GB capacities. AMD has indicated plans to broaden its offerings in the latter half of this year by introducing a 128GB variant, targeting applications in mobile workstation markets rather than focusing solely on gaming systems.
Set for a grand unveiling at CES in Las Vegas from January 7-10, 2025, the Strix Halo APU will hit the market with workstation notebooks in the first quarter, followed by an expansion into gaming models by the second quarter. Reports from MLID suggest that limited quantities of gaming configurations may become available even sooner, although a full-scale launch will be reserved for spring 2025.
Given the considerable interest in the Strix Halo APU, there’s potential for it to enter the Small Form Factor (SFF) segment, making way for powerful mini PCs equipped with this cutting-edge technology.
Notably, this new APU will likely face no competition from Intel, as the tech giant not only lacks a direct rival offering (with its development plans for a similar solution indefinitely delayed) but also falls short in providing a combination of dedicated processors and separate graphics alternatives. Despite Intel’s efforts with Arc graphics Battlemage, it seems there are no prospects for notebook compatibility at this time. In the x86 landscape, the only comparable option available will be a combination of Intel’s mobile Arrow Lake processors and Nvidia’s mobile GeForce graphics.
pioneering chiplet technology and design for the amd epyc™ and ryzen™ processor families
En whether AMD will configure the 32 MB cache within the central chiplet or utilize it on the shared silicon substrate that accommodates the chiplets—only time will tell which option they favor.
On the memory front, the *Strix Halo* is set to support LPDDR5X-8533 memory configurations in 32GB and 64GB capacities. AMD has also revealed plans to introduce a 128GB variant in the latter half of the year, tailored specifically for mobile workstations rather than gaming systems.
As for the product’s timeline, AMD is gearing up for a grand unveiling at CES in Las Vegas from January 7-10, 2025. Notebooks designed primarily as workstations are expected to hit the market within the first quarter, while gaming-focused models will arrive in the second quarter—marking a springtime bounty for gamers and professionals alike. In response to potential demand, there is also speculation that *Strix Halo* might enter the Small Form Factor (SFF) market, providing the APU’s powerful capabilities in compact mini PCs.
The *Strix Halo* appears to be sailing into a competition-free arena against Intel, not only due to the absence of a direct rival in the form of comparable integrated solutions but also because Intel’s plans to pair their processors with discrete graphics seem to lack momentum. Consequently, the only potential x86 competitors would involve Intel’s mobile *Arrow Lake* processors partnered with Nvidia’s mobile GeForce graphics, which does not quite measure up to the integrated prowess offered by AMD’s upcoming APU.
as the release of the *Strix Halo* approaches, excitement in the tech community is palpable, and with AMD’s impressive specifications and strategic design, the *Strix Halo* is primed to captivate consumers eager for innovation and performance in their devices.
