CES 2025 Megathread

AMD at CES 2025

AMD Announces RX 9070 Series RDNA4 GPUs

At CES 2025, AMD unveiled the Radeon RX 9070 XT and RX 9070 graphics cards, powered by the new RDNA 4 architecture and set to launch in Q1 2025. Positioned in the performance segment, these cards offer raster performance akin to the RX 7900 XT and RX 7800 XT, respectively.

The RX 9070 series is powered by the “Navi 48” GPU, featuring a unique 2:1 rectangular die, 256-bit GDDR6 memory, and 64 compute units built on TSMC’s N4P process.

RDNA 4 brings generational improvements in SIMD performance, 2nd Gen AI accelerators, and 3rd Gen Ray accelerators, which offload ray tracing workloads to dedicated hardware for efficiency.

AMD also introduced Adrenalin AI, a generative AI tool for tasks like document summarization and chatbot functions. FidelityFX Super Resolution 4 (FSR 4), exclusive to RDNA 4, features ML-based upscaling, frame generation, and Anti-Lag 2. AIB partners, including ASUS, Sapphire, and XFX, are ready with RX 9070 series cards, though MSI has exited the AMD partnership.

AMD Launches Ryzen 9 9000X3D Series “Zen 5” Desktop Processors

At CES 2025, AMD launched the Ryzen 9 9950X3D and 9900X3D, high-core-count “Zen 5” processors featuring 3D V-Cache. The 16-core/32-thread 9950X3D and 12-core/24-thread 9900X3D use dual-CCD designs, with 3D V-Cache on one CCD.

Redesigned for “Zen 5,” the V-Cache now resides below the CCD, enabling equal clock speed boosts across both CCDs and improved OS scheduler optimizations.

The 9950X3D boasts 4.30 GHz base and 5.70 GHz boost clocks with a 170 W TDP, making it AMD’s fastest gaming chip. AMD claims it outperforms the 7950X3D by 8% and Intel Core Ultra 9 285K by 20% in gaming. Both processors launch in Q1 2025.

AMD Launches Ryzen 9 9000HX Series “Zen 5” Processors for High-Performance Laptops

At CES 2025, AMD introduced the Ryzen 9 9000HX and 9000HX3D mobile processors, designed for enthusiast gaming laptops and workstations.

Based on the “Zen 5” microarchitecture, these “Fire Range” chips feature up to 16 cores and rival Intel’s Core Ultra 200HX series. The flagship Ryzen 9 9955HX3D includes 16 cores, 32 threads, 3D V-Cache, and 144 MB total cache, with clock speeds of 2.50 GHz base and 5.40 GHz boost.

The Ryzen 9 9955HX offers the same core count and clock speeds but lacks 3D V-Cache, featuring 80 MB cache. The 12-core Ryzen 9 9850HX rounds out the lineup with 76 MB cache, 3.00 GHz base, and 5.20 GHz boost. All models support PCIe 5.0 connectivity and are expected in laptops by mid-2025.

AMD Launches Ryzen AI Max Series “Strix Halo” SoCs: Up to 16 Cores, 40-CU iGPU

AMD has launched the Ryzen AI Max 300 series SoCs, targeting ultraportable gaming notebooks and workstations, to rival Apple M4 Pro.

Built on the 5 nm “Strix Halo” platform, these chips feature up to 16-core/32-thread “Zen 5” CPUs with AVX512 support and an RDNA 3.5 iGPU offering desktop-class gaming performance, similar to the Radeon RX 6750 XT. The iGPU has 40 CU, 2,560 stream processors, and clocks up to 2.90 GHz.

Key models include:

• Ryzen AI Max+ 395/395 PRO: 16 cores, 5.10 GHz boost, 40 CU iGPU, 45-120 W TDP.
• Ryzen AI Max 390/390 PRO: 12 cores, 5.00 GHz boost, 32 CU iGPU, 45-120 W TDP.
• Ryzen AI Max 385/385 PRO: 8 cores, 5.00 GHz boost, 32 CU iGPU.
• Ryzen AI Max PRO 380: 6 cores, 4.90 GHz boost, 16 CU iGPU.

The series supports quad-channel LPDDR5X-6400 memory and achieves 50 AI TOPS. Devices featuring these processors are expected by mid-2025.