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AMD Ryzen AI Max Pro 385

AMD Ryzen AI Max Pro 385

AMD Ryzen AI Max Pro 385 (Strix Halo): Power and Efficiency in a Compact Form Factor

Architecture and Process Technology: 4nm for Maximum Efficiency

The AMD Ryzen AI Max Pro 385, known by its codename Strix Halo, represents the pinnacle of the company's engineering prowess. Built on a 4-nanometer process, it combines high performance with energy efficiency.

Cores, Threads, and Frequencies

- 8 cores and 16 threads based on the Zen 5 architecture provide multitasking capabilities that can handle any workload—from video rendering to simultaneously managing dozens of browser tabs.

- Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, and in Turbo Boost mode, it reaches 5 GHz for a single core. This allows for immediate responsiveness to demanding tasks such as gaming or processing 4K video.

- 32 MB of L3 cache speeds up access to frequently used data, which is critical for professional applications like Blender or Adobe Premiere Pro.

Integrated Graphics

The integrated GPU based on the RDNA 3+ architecture is a key feature of Strix Halo. It supports:

- Ray Tracing technologies for realistic lighting in games.

- AV1 decoding for high-resolution streaming video.

- Performance comparable to entry-level discrete graphics cards (e.g., NVIDIA GTX 1650), enabling gameplay in Cyberpunk 2077 with medium settings at 40-50 FPS.

Power Consumption and TDP: A Balance Between Power and Longevity

With a TDP of 55W, the Ryzen AI Max Pro 385 falls into the category of processors for thin workstations and high-performance ultrabooks.

- In idle mode, power consumption drops to 5-10W thanks to Precision Boost 2 technology, which dynamically adjusts frequencies and voltage.

- Under peak loads (e.g., 3D model rendering), the processor utilizes the full 55W, but the laptop's cooling system must be rated for such scenarios.

Tip: When choosing a laptop, pay attention to the presence of a vapor chamber and fans with improved aerodynamics to minimize overheating.

Performance: Real Tests and Turbo Mode

Office Tasks and Multimedia

- Microsoft Office, browser with 50+ tabs: the processor maintains responsiveness without heating up the casing.

- Video editing in DaVinci Resolve: rendering a 10-minute 4K video takes approximately 8 minutes (compared to around 9.5 minutes on a Core i7-13700H).

Gaming

- Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p, medium settings): 45-50 FPS.

- Fortnite (1080p, Epic): 60-70 FPS.

- Turbo mode consistently maintains frequencies between 4.7-4.9 GHz, but prolonged sessions may result in throttling if cooling is insufficiently effective.

Usage Scenarios: Who is Strix Halo Designed For?

1. Creative Professionals: Designers and video editors will appreciate the rendering speed and support for HDR displays via the iGPU.

2. Gamers: The integrated graphics allow for gaming without a discrete GPU, which is important for thin laptops.

3. Students and Office Workers: Energy efficiency extends battery life, while the power is sufficient for any daily tasks.

Example: A laptop with Ryzen AI 385 can replace a desktop PC for a freelancer working in Photoshop while simultaneously streaming on Twitch.

Battery Life: How Long Will It Last?

With a TDP of 55W, battery life depends on the scenario:

- Web browsing: 8-10 hours (with a battery capacity of 75 Wh).

- Gaming: 1.5-2 hours.

- Power-saving technologies:

- Adaptive Power Management reduces the frequency of unused cores.

- SmartShift redistributes power between the CPU and GPU depending on the task.

Tip: For maximum battery life, choose laptops with a battery of 90 Wh and an IPS LCD display (not OLED).

Comparison with Competitors: Who Does Ryzen AI 385 Outperform?

1. Intel Core Ultra 9 185H:

- Intel Pros: Better single-threaded performance in Cinebench R23 (~2100 points vs. 1950 for Ryzen).

- Cons: Intel Xe iGPU is weaker in games (e.g., 40 FPS in Fortnite at medium settings).

2. Apple M3 Pro:

- Apple Pros: Up to 18 hours of battery life, optimized for macOS.

- Cons: Limited game support, lack of Windows.

3. AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS (previous generation):

- The Ryzen AI 385 is 15-20% faster in multi-threaded tasks due to Zen 5 architecture and increased cache.

Pros and Cons: What to Look For?

Strengths:

- High multi-threaded performance.

- Powerful integrated graphics.

- Support for DDR5-6400 and PCIe 5.0.

- Efficient 4nm process technology.

Weaknesses:

- Demands effective cooling.

- Laptops with this processor are more expensive than those with Ryzen 7 counterparts.

Laptop Selection Recommendations

1. Type of Device:

- Ultrabook: ASUS ZenBook Pro 16X — thin chassis, 120 Hz screen.

- Gaming Laptop: MSI Stealth 16 — discrete GPU + Ryzen AI 385 for maximum performance.

- Workstation: Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 — support for ECC memory.

2. What to Look For:

- Cooling: At least two fans + copper heat pipes.

- RAM: 32 GB DDR5 for professional tasks.

- Screen: 100% sRGB coverage for design, 120 Hz for gaming.

Final Conclusion: The Ideal Choice for Versatile Users

AMD Ryzen AI Max Pro 385 is suitable for those seeking a balance between mobility and power. This processor is for:

- Digital artists who want to work anywhere.

- Gamers who prefer compact laptops without bulky graphics cards.

- Engineers working with CAD applications on the go.

Key Benefits: You get nearly desktop-level performance in a thin chassis, saving on the cost of discrete graphics. Modern standards ensure that the laptop won’t become obsolete in 2-3 years.

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Basic

Label Name
AMD
Platform
Laptop
Launch Date
January 2025
Model Name
?
The Intel processor number is just one of several factors - along with processor brand, system configurations, and system-level benchmarks - to be considered when choosing the right processor for your computing needs.
Ryzen AI Max Pro 385
Code Name
Strix Halo
Foundry
TSMC
Generation
Ryzen AI Max (Zen 5 (Strix Halo))

CPU Specifications

Total Cores
?
Cores is a hardware term that describes the number of independent central processing units in a single computing component (die or chip).
8
Total Threads
?
Where applicable, Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology is only available on Performance-cores.
16
Performance-cores
8
Performance-core Base Frequency
3.6 GHz
Performance-core Max Turbo Frequency
?
Maximum P-core turbo frequency derived from Intel® Turbo Boost Technology.
5 GHz
L1 Cache
80 KB per core
L2 Cache
1 MB per core
L3 Cache
32 MB shared
Unlocked Multiplier
No
CPU Socket
?
The socket is the component that provides the mechanical and electrical connections between the processor and motherboard.
AMD Socket FP11
Bus Frequency
100 MHz
Multiplier
36.0
Technology
?
Lithography refers to the semiconductor technology used to manufacture an integrated circuit, and is reported in nanometer (nm), indicative of the size of features built on the semiconductor.
4 nm
TDP
55 W
Max. Operating Temperature
?
Junction Temperature is the maximum temperature allowed at the processor die.
100°C
PCIe Version
?
PCI Express is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard used for connecting high-speed components, replacing older standards such as AGP, PCI, and PCI-X. It has gone through multiple revisions and improvements since its initial release. PCIe 1.0 was first introduced in 2002, and in order to meet the growing demand for higher bandwidth, subsequent versions have been released over time.
4
Instruction Set
?
The instruction set is a hard program stored inside the CPU that guides and optimizes CPU operations. With these instruction sets, the CPU can run more efficiently. There are many manufacturers that design CPUs, which results in different instruction sets, such as the 8086 instruction set for the Intel camp and the RISC instruction set for the ARM camp. x86, ARM v8, and MIPS are all codes for instruction sets. Instruction sets can be extended; for example, x86 added 64-bit support to create x86-64. Manufacturers developing CPUs that are compatible with a certain instruction set need authorization from the instruction set patent holder. A typical example is Intel authorizing AMD, enabling the latter to develop CPUs compatible with the x86 instruction set.
x86-64

Memory Specifications

Memory Type
?
Intel® processors come in four different types: Single Channel, Dual Channel, Triple Channel, and Flex Mode. Maximum supported memory speed may be lower when populating multiple DIMMs per channel on products that support multiple memory channels.
LPDDR5x-8000
Max Memory Size
?
Max memory size refers to the maximum memory capacity supported by the processor.
128 GB
Memory Channels
?
The number of memory channels refers to the bandwidth operation for real world application.
4
Max Memory Bandwidth
?
Max Memory bandwidth is the maximum rate at which data can be read from or stored into a semiconductor memory by the processor (in GB/s).
256 GB/s
ECC Memory Support
Yes

GPU Specifications

Integrated Graphics Model
?
An integrated GPU refers to the graphics core that is integrated into the CPU processor. Leveraging the processor's powerful computational capabilities and intelligent power efficiency management, it delivers outstanding graphics performance and a smooth application experience at a lower power consumption.
true
GPU Max Dynamic Frequency
2800 MHz
Execution Units
?
The Execution Unit is the foundational building block of Intel’s graphics architecture. Execution Units are compute processors optimized for simultaneous Multi-Threading for high throughput compute power.
32

Miscellaneous

PCIe Lanes
16