AMD Ryzen 9000G APUs rumored to launch in Q4 for AM5 motherboards

• AMD's Ryzen 8000G series AM5 APUs, featuring Zen 4 cores and RDNA-based graphics, were recently unveiled.

• A potential successor, Ryzen 9000G, is expected in Q4. This series may utilize Zen 5 architecture, similar to the Strix Point and Krackan Point mobile APUs.

• Strix Point includes over 12 hybrid cores and a 16 CU iGPU, while Krackan Point has eight hybrid cores and an 8 CU iGPU.

• Both incorporate an XDNA 2 NPU.

• The Ryzen 9000G might leverage surplus Ryzen AI 300 silicon, representing a performance upgrade over the Ryzen 8000G.

• However, a high-end Strix Halo equivalent on AM5 is improbable.

• The Ryzen 9000G is anticipated to be among the last Zen 5 offerings before the transition to Zen 6 in 2026.

 At the recent CES, AMD introduced the Ryzen 8000G series of AM5 APUs, integrating high-performance Zen 4 cores with the first RDNA-based desktop graphics engine, succeeding their Vega-based predecessors. Industry sources suggest a potential successor, tentatively designated Ryzen 9000G, is anticipated for a Q4 release this year. Further details regarding core architecture and silicon specifications remain undisclosed, necessitating reliance on informed speculation.

 Ryzen 8000G APUs utilized AMD's Phoenix silicon, featuring Zen 4 cores, with some models incorporating a combination of Zen 4 and smaller Zen 4c cores. Similar to the Ryzen 7040 laptop APUs, these processors included up to 12 RDNA 3-based CUs (Compute Units), enabling basic 1080p gaming. This capability is attributed to AM5's DDR5 support, which is also considered the primary reason for AMD's decision to forgo porting Rembrandt to the AM4 platform, given its DDR4 limitation.

 Zen 5-based mobile APUs are categorized into Strix Point (high-end) and Krackan Point (mid-range). AMD is projected to utilize the same silicon for the Ryzen 9000G family, providing insight into potential specifications. Strix Point features over 12 hybrid cores (four Zen 5 + eight Zen 5c) in a dual-CCX configuration, along with a 16 Compute Unit iGPU (Radeon 890M) based on RDNA 3.5.

 Krackan Point incorporates eight hybrid cores (four Zen 5 + four Zen 5c). Pending die shot verification, it is hypothesized that all eight Krackan Point hybrid cores share a 16MB cache pool (single-CCX), mirroring AMD's budget Phoenix 2 offerings. The graphics component is a Radeon 860M, equipped with eight RDNA 3.5-based Compute Units.

 Both families incorporate an XDNA 2 NPU delivering 50 TOPS of AI performance. If these projections are accurate, AMD could potentially offer the first Copilot+ certified desktop processors with these chips. Given AMD's reported plan to refresh Strix Point with Gorgon Point (Ryzen AI 400?) in 2026, surplus Ryzen AI 300 silicon could be leveraged for Ryzen 9000G APUs.

 While speculative, this represents a notable enhancement in specifications and, consequently, performance compared to existing desktop Phoenix APUs. However, a Strix Halo equivalent on AM5 is unlikely in the near term, primarily due to size, design, and cost considerations. The Ryzen 9000G is likely among the final Zen 5 offerings, as AMD is expected to transition to Zen 6 in 2026.