AI acceleration blocks. AMD CPUs

AMD’s CFO, Jean Hu, at the Barclays technology conference, discussed the expansion of CPUs with integrated AI acceleration blocks. Currently available in the mobile segment, Hu predicts these processors will significantly impact the PC market by 2025. The upcoming year isn’t expected to see substantial growth in PC market volume, with only a marginal increase anticipated. Factors like the end of support for an older Windows version may boost demand for new PCs. However, AMD, unlike Intel, Dell, and Lenovo, which link hopes of market revival to 2024, adopts a more conservative stance regarding the influence of AI-accelerated processors on the PC market.

“Processors with artificial intelligence are installed in mobile devices and laptops.”

“AMD Ryzen 7 8700G: A New Challenger Surpasses Intel Core Ultra 155H in Latest Benchmarks.”

Regarding the impact of new CPUs with hardware AI acceleration on the PC market, AMD’s CFO cautions against premature expectations. She believes such processors will start influencing new PC segment demand no earlier than 2025. Intel, Dell, and Lenovo also link similar hopes to revitalize demand, but specifically to 2024, albeit in different periods. Thus, AMD is more conservative in this aspect.

The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS is a high-performance mobile processor, introduced as part of the Ryzen 9 lineup and utilizing the Zen 4 (Phoenix) architecture. Here are the key specifications and features of this processor:

1. Core and Thread Count: The Ryzen 9 7940HS has 8 cores and, thanks to AMD’s Simultaneous Multithreading (SMT) technology, can handle 16 threads. This makes it particularly efficient in multitasking and handling complex, multi-threaded applications.
2. AI and Graphics Capabilities: This processor introduces Ryzen AI, AMD’s response to Intel’s Deep Learning Boost (DL Boost) and Gaussian & Neural Accelerator (GNA) technologies. These AI enhancements are likely to improve tasks that benefit from machine learning, such as voice recognition and content creation. Additionally, it features the Radeon 780M as its integrated graphics adapter, which is expected to deliver solid graphics performance for a mobile processor.
3. Clock Speeds and Performance: The base clock frequency of the Ryzen 9 7940HS is 4000 MHz. However, it can boost up to 5200 MHz thanks to AMD’s Turbo Core technology. This high frequency is particularly beneficial for demanding applications and gaming. The processor also boasts a 16 MB L3 cache, which contributes to its overall efficient performance.
4. Technical Specifications: The Ryzen 9 7940HS is built using TSMC’s 4nm FinFET process. It has a configurable TDP (cTDP) range of 35-54 watts, balancing performance with power efficiency. The maximum operating temperature for this processor is 100°C. Notably, it does not support overclocking, which is typical for high-performance mobile processors. The processor was officially launched on January 6, 2023.

The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS represents AMD’s continuous effort to compete in the high-performance mobile processor market. The focus on AI capabilities indicates a trend towards more intelligent and responsive computing experiences in laptops and portable devices. The integration of Radeon graphics suggests a commitment to providing strong in-built GPU performance, which is increasingly important in modern computing for both professional and personal use.

The processor’s efficiency and performance are further enhanced by the advanced 4nm process technology, which generally allows for greater power efficiency and performance within a smaller physical footprint. This aligns with the industry’s move towards more energy-efficient and environmentally conscious computing solutions. The Ryzen 9 7940HS, with its blend of power, efficiency, and advanced features, is well-positioned for use in premium laptops designed for gaming, content creation, and demanding productivity tasks.

The AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS is a high-performance mobile processor designed primarily for use in laptop systems, and it was introduced to the market on January 5, 2023. This processor is part of the Ryzen 7 family, which falls under the broader AMD Ryzen Processors category. Here are its key specifications and features:

1. Core and Thread Count: The Ryzen 7 7840HS features 8 cores and 16 threads, thanks to AMD’s Simultaneous Multithreading (SMT) technology. This dual-thread per core setup allows for efficient multitasking and handling of demanding applications, making the processor suitable for both office and creative work.
2. Clock Speeds and Cache Memory:

• The base clock frequency of the Ryzen 7 7840HS is 3.8 GHz, but it can reach up to 5.1 GHz with Turbo Core technology. This dynamic scaling of frequency enhances its performance in demanding tasks and applications.
• The processor comes with a substantial cache memory, featuring a 512KB L1 cache, an 8MB L2 cache, and a 16MB L3 cache. This large cache size is beneficial for speedy data access and improved overall performance.

1. Graphics Capabilities: The Ryzen 7 7840HS includes integrated graphics in the form of the AMD Radeon 780M, based on AMD’s RDNA 3 architecture. This GPU has 12 compute units and can reach a maximum graphics frequency of 2700 MHz. The integration of a capable GPU like the Radeon 780M allows for good graphics performance, especially in multimedia tasks and light gaming, directly within the processor package.
2. Technical Specifications:

• The processor is built using TSMC’s 4nm FinFET technology, which is indicative of its high energy efficiency and performance capabilities.
• It operates within a TDP (Thermal Design Power) range of 35-54 watts, balancing performance and power consumption effectively.
• The Ryzen 7 7840HS is designed for socket FP8 platforms.

Given these specifications, the Ryzen 7 7840HS is likely to be a strong contender in the high-performance laptop processor market. Its combination of high core and thread count, fast clock speeds, substantial cache memory, and powerful integrated graphics makes it suitable for a wide range of applications, from office productivity to creative work like video editing and graphic design. The processor’s 4nm technology also indicates a focus on energy efficiency, which is increasingly important in the mobile computing space.

This processor is part of the broader trend in the industry towards processors that are not only powerful but also energy efficient, with integrated graphics capabilities that are becoming more and more capable, reducing the need for separate graphics cards in many use cases. Overall, the AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS seems well-suited to meet the demands of modern, versatile computing needs.

The AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS is a mobile processor launched in January 2023, featuring advanced technology and promising performance. Here are its key specifications and features:

1. Core and Thread Count: The Ryzen 5 7640HS includes 6 cores and, with AMD’s Simultaneous Multithreading (SMT) technology, offers 12 threads. This dual-threading capability enhances its multitasking and processing efficiency, making it suitable for various computing tasks.
2. Clock Speeds and Cache Memory:

• The base clock frequency of this CPU is 4300 MHz, but it can reach up to 5000 MHz through Turbo Core technology. This dynamic frequency range allows the processor to adapt its performance to the demands of different applications.
• The processor is equipped with a 16 MB L3 cache, 6 MB L2 cache, and a 384 KB L1 cache. This substantial cache allocation contributes to faster data access and processing speeds.

1. Integrated Graphics: The Ryzen 5 7640HS is integrated with the Radeon 760M graphics, which enhances its capability to handle graphical tasks. This integration is particularly beneficial for multimedia applications and can support light to moderate gaming.
2. Technical Specifications and Energy Efficiency:

• The processor is built using TSMC’s 4nm FinFET technology, reflecting its high energy efficiency and performance capabilities.
• It operates within a TDP (Thermal Design Power) range of 35-54 watts, balancing performance and energy consumption effectively. This range is configurable (cTDP), allowing for flexibility in different usage scenarios.
• The Ryzen 5 7640HS is designed for the socket FP8 platform.

1. Gaming Performance: The Ryzen 5 7640HS is considered suitable for gaming, especially when paired with a good video card. Its 6-core, 12-thread configuration provides reasonable threaded performance, which is beneficial in gaming scenarios.

Adding from a broader perspective, the Ryzen 5 7640HS fits well into the ongoing trend in the computing industry of providing high-performing yet energy-efficient processors for mobile devices. Its integration of a capable GPU within the processor package is a nod to the growing demand for graphics performance in everyday computing tasks, including casual gaming and content creation.

The processor’s use of advanced 4nm technology underscores the industry’s focus on enhancing performance while minimizing power consumption and heat generation, a crucial aspect for mobile and compact computing devices. This reflects the shift in consumer and manufacturer priorities towards more sustainable and energy-efficient computing solutions.

Overall, the AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS, with its balanced performance features, appears to be a versatile processor, catering to a range of needs from general productivity to entertainment and light gaming, making it a compelling choice for modern laptops and portable computing devices.