TL;DR
AMD introduced two lower-tier Ryzen AI Max Plus (Strix Halo) processors designed for gaming portables, keeping the same high-end integrated graphics but cutting CPU core counts. The new 392 and 388 parts retain 40 GPU compute units (about 60 teraflops) while offering 12 and 8 CPU cores respectively; pricing and wider availability remain unclear amid rising RAM costs.
What happened
At CES, AMD unveiled two new Ryzen AI Max Plus parts — part of the Strix Halo family — that are explicitly positioned for gaming devices. Both chips preserve the line’s potent integrated graphics configuration of 40 compute units, delivering roughly 60 teraflops of compute, but reduce CPU core counts compared with the top-end AI Max parts: the Max Plus 392 features 12 CPU cores and the Max Plus 388 has eight. AMD says these variants were developed in response to customer requests for gaming-focused SKUs. The original Strix Halo (marketed as Ryzen AI Max) emphasized AI workloads and systems capable of large RAM capacities — up to 128GB — and has already powered exceptionally powerful handhelds and tablets that have tended to cost about $2,000. AMD acknowledged that memory-price inflation could affect device pricing, and indicated AI Max systems often sit in the $1,000–$1,500 range versus more mainstream Ryzen AI machines.
Why it matters
- Maintains extremely capable integrated graphics in a package tuned for gaming devices, potentially enabling very powerful handhelds without discrete GPUs.
- Lower CPU core counts may reduce cost and power draw while preserving GPU performance for gaming workloads.
- If manufacturers adopt these parts, more vendors could bring Strix Halo handhelds to market, expanding the niche of high-performance portables.
- Rising RAM prices could limit the extent to which manufacturers can lower retail prices for devices using these chips.
Key facts
- The new Ryzen AI Max Plus chips are part of AMD’s Strix Halo family (also referred to as Ryzen AI Max).
- Both Max Plus parts keep 40 graphics compute units and roughly 60 teraflops of GPU performance.
- Ryzen AI Max Plus 392 is specified with 12 CPU cores.
- Ryzen AI Max Plus 388 is specified with 8 CPU cores.
- Earlier Strix Halo / Ryzen AI Max designs supported up to 128GB of RAM and were pitched toward AI workloads as well as gaming.
- Previous devices built around Strix Halo chips (handhelds and tablets) have tended to cost around $2,000.
- AMD’s client chip lead said the 392 and 388 were created in response to customer demand for gaming SKUs.
- AMD estimates AI Max systems can fall in a roughly $1,000–$1,500 range compared with vanilla Ryzen AI systems that can start near $500.
- Multiple handheld makers — including Ayaneo and OneXPlayer — have announced Strix Halo devices; GPD displayed a Win 5 prototype.
What to watch next
- Whether these Max Plus parts lead to materially cheaper Strix Halo handhelds and tablets — not confirmed in the source.
- How sustained RAM price increases will affect final retail pricing for devices using these chips — not confirmed in the source.
- Exact launch dates, retail prices, and battery-life tradeoffs for devices built with the 392 and 388 parts — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Integrated graphics: A GPU built into the main processor package rather than a separate graphics card; shares system resources like memory with the CPU.
- Compute unit (CU): A block of shader hardware in a GPU; more compute units generally mean greater parallel processing capability for graphics and compute tasks.
- Teraflop: A measure of a processor’s floating-point performance equal to one trillion (10^12) floating-point operations per second.
- SKU: Stock-keeping unit, a unique identifier for a particular product configuration or model sold by a manufacturer.
- RAM: Random-access memory; short-term system memory used by the CPU and GPU to hold working data and code while devices are running.
Reader FAQ
What are the main differences in the new Ryzen AI Max Plus chips?
They retain the same 40 GPU compute units and about 60 teraflops as earlier Strix Halo parts but reduce CPU core counts: the 392 has 12 cores and the 388 has 8.
Will these chips make high-end handhelds significantly cheaper?
Not confirmed in the source.
Which manufacturers are planning Strix Halo handhelds?
Ayaneo and OneXPlayer have announced Strix Halo handhelds, and GPD showed a Win 5 prototype; broader OEM plans were not detailed.
Are these chips primarily for AI or gaming?
AMD initially marketed Strix Halo (Ryzen AI Max) toward AI workloads, but the Max Plus 392 and 388 are explicitly targeted at gaming SKUs according to AMD.
TECH CES MICROSOFT AMD heard you like powerful gaming portables — so here are new Strix Halo chips Will AI Max Plus chips make seriously powerful handhelds more affordable? by…
Sources
- AMD heard you like powerful gaming portables — so here are new Strix Halo chips
- This new leaked AMD Strix Halo variant could be …
- AMD Strix Halo lineup expands with cheaper chips …
- AMD Ryzen™ Al Max+ 395
Related posts
- Vivoo’s FlowPad converts menstrual pads into an FSH at-home test
- Eureka’s $299 E10 Evo Plus: a hybrid robovac with self-empty dock
- Eureka Z50 robovac uses lift-and-shield roller mop to keep carpets dry