Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD) is making a significant push into the still-nascent AI PC space with its latest announcements at CES 2025 in Las Vegas. The company has unveiled new Ryzen AI Max, Ryzen AI 300, and Ryzen AI 200 central processing units (CPUs) for AI PCs, as well as high-powered chips for gaming desktops, laptops, and handheld gaming systems.
Ryzen AI Max: High-Powered Laptops for Gamers and Content Creators
The Ryzen AI Max chips are designed specifically for high-powered laptops targeting gamers and content creators. According to AMD, these processors will feature up to 128GB of unified memory and a neural processing unit capable of up to 50 TOPS (trillions of operations per second). TOPS is a general means of measuring a chip’s AI performance, and AMD, Intel, Nvidia, and Qualcomm are all pushing this specification as the key metric for consumers when selecting an AI PC.
Ryzen AI Max PRO Series: Enterprise-Grade Security and Management
In addition to the standard Ryzen AI Max chips, AMD is also offering a PRO series that includes improved security and enterprise management functionality. This will appeal to businesses looking for robust solutions for their IT departments.
Ryzen AI 300 and AI 300 Pro Series: More Affordable AI Options
AMD has also announced its latest AI 300 and AI 300 Pro Series chips, including the Ryzen AI 7 350 and Ryzen AI 5 340. These processors are designed to run AI PCs for consumers and enterprise customers that don’t require the high-end power of the Ryzen AI Max processors.
Key Features of the Ryzen AI 300 and AI 300 Pro Series
- Up to 50 TOPS of AI performance
- Ability to run Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC apps, including Recall and Click to Do options
- Suitable for consumers and enterprise customers who don’t need high-end power
Ryzen 200 and Ryzen 200 PRO Series: Affordable Consumer and Enterprise Laptops
AMD has also debuted its Ryzen 200 and Ryzen 200 PRO Series chips for affordable consumer and enterprise laptops. However, unlike the Ryzen AI Max and Ryzen AI 300 processors, these only offer 16 TOPS, which may limit their ability to run more advanced AI applications.
New Gaming-Focused CPUs for Desktops, Laptops, and Handheld PCs
Beyond its AI PC CPUs, AMD has announced a slew of new gaming-focused CPUs for desktops, laptops, and handheld PCs. For hardcore PC gamers and content creators, there’s the Ryzen 9950X3D and Ryzen 9900X3D. Gamers looking for high-performance laptops get the new Ryzen 9000HX Series chips, which AMD says offer better temperature control, resulting in improved battery life.
Ryzen Z2 Series Gaming Chips for Handheld Systems
The company has also revealed its Ryzen Z2 Series gaming chips for handheld gaming systems. Handheld PC systems are generally similar in size to Nintendo’s popular Switch console but run Windows or Linux-based operating systems and can play PC games.
AMD’s Push into the AI PC Market: A Showdown with Rivals Intel and Qualcomm
AMD’s announcements come as it seeks to steal greater market share from rival Intel and as Qualcomm continues to push into the PC market. Intel is on its heels as it works to complete an arduous turnaround effort, having pushed out former CEO Pat Gelsinger after shares fell off a cliff in 2024.
Conclusion
AMD’s latest announcements have set the stage for what could be a major chip market showdown in 2025. The company’s new Ryzen AI Max, Ryzen AI 300, and Ryzen AI 200 CPUs offer powerful solutions for AI PCs, while its gaming-focused CPUs provide robust options for gamers and content creators.
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Daniel Howley is a writer covering tech at Yahoo Finance. Follow him on Twitter at @DanielHowley.
