The resurgence of AMD in the desktop market with its Ryzen 1000 CPU family has been remarkable. Despite their average Bulldozer-based CPU cores, AMD’s APUs with integrated graphics have also been highly regarded for their competitive performance. However, the absence of AM5 models with genuine graphical capabilities has left enthusiasts anticipating an update. Recent reports suggest that AMD is set to release APUs with capable RDNA 3 integrated graphics, bringing enhanced gaming experiences to the table. This article explores the potential of these APUs and their impact on the market.
An intriguing discovery on a Google Doc maintained by Reous at the HardwareLuxx forums hints at the inclusion of an unannounced family based on the AMD Phoenix architecture in the latest AMD AGESA 1.0.8.0 firmware. Speculated to be named the Ryzen 7000G series, these APUs are expected to unleash the true potential of integrated graphics on the AM5 platform. ASUS has already released a new BIOS for its EX-B650M-V7 motherboard incorporating the 1.0.8.0 firmware, showcasing its readiness for upcoming CPUs. Other vendors are likely to follow suit soon, further establishing the emergence of this new APU lineup.
Presently, AMD’s Phoenix APUs are primarily found in laptops, with the Ryzen 9 7940HS being the flagship model. Featuring 8 cores, 16MB of L3 cache, and Radeon 780M integrated graphics with 12 CUs (or 768 stream processors), these APUs outperform the Zen 4 based Ryzen 7000-series CPUs, boasting six times the CU count of RDNA 2. Consequently, the graphics performance of AM5 Phoenix chips is expected to surpass the aging Vega-based integrated graphics of Ryzen 5000G APUs and even challenge Intel’s Raptor Lake offerings. Although Meteor Lake’s integrated graphics might pose a competition, their impact may only be noticeable in NUC or embedded form. The potential inclusion of cheaper models with fewer CUs could also cater to budget-conscious consumers.
While tailored for diverse gaming experiences, it is crucial to manage expectations surrounding 4K or ray-traced gaming on these upcoming APUs. Benchmarks for the Asus ROG Ally, a handheld gaming device equipped with a 12 CU Radeon 780M, provide a glimpse of what to expect. The Ally, with its power limitations, serves as an interesting comparison against desktop chips. The Radeon 780M enables smooth gameplay at 1080p for modern games, although players may need to lower quality settings. Moreover, by utilizing AMD’s FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR), the gaming experience can be further enhanced. One significant advantage of desktop APUs is the flexibility to upgrade with a discrete graphics card in the future, expanding the horizons of gaming possibilities.
For users with outdated graphics cards, a system equipped with a strong integrated graphics solution presents an affordable upgrade option. With AMD’s continued support for the AM5 socket, even entry-level motherboards such as the A620 can offer a clear upgrade path. This future-proofing provides users with the freedom to enhance their system’s graphical capabilities at their own pace, ensuring they can adapt to future gaming demands without requiring a complete system overhaul.
The impending arrival of AMD’s APUs utilizing RDNA 3 integrated graphics brings excitement to the desktop market. These new APUs, based on the Phoenix architecture, have the potential to revolutionize integrated graphics performance on the AM5 platform. With the promise of powerful graphics capabilities and the prospect of feasible gaming experiences, these APUs cater to a wide range of consumers. Whether it’s playing popular titles like World of Warcraft or Dota 2 or delving into older, less demanding games, the Ryzen 7000G series is expected to deliver satisfying results. As the market awaits further updates and actual performance benchmarks, AMD’s commitment to advancing the AM5 socket ensures users have a future-proof upgrade path, offering long-term value and performance enhancement.
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