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AMD Ryzen AI Max Pro 390

AMD Ryzen AI Max Pro 390 (Strix Halo): Mobile Power for Professionals and Gamers

(This article contains assumptions based on the stated specifications, as official AMD data may vary)

Architecture and Process Technology: Hybrid Power on 4nm

The AMD Ryzen AI Max Pro 390, known by the codename Strix Halo, represents the pinnacle of AMD's mobile technologies. Built on TSMC's 4-nanometer process, it combines 12 Zen 5 cores (all performance cores, with no distinction between P- and E- cores) and 24 threads. This is unusual for mobile solutions, where hybrid architectures have become the standard. AMD may have bet on homogeneous cores for stable multi-threaded workloads.

- Clock Frequencies: Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, and the maximum in turbo mode is up to 5 GHz. This is impressive for a mobile chip, especially with a TDP of 55W.

- Cache: 64MB L3 is a record volume, accelerating data processing in games and professional applications (such as rendering in Blender).

- Integrated Graphics: While the exact model is not specified, it is likely a Radeon 890M based on the RDNA 3.5 architecture with 16–24 compute units. Such an iGPU can compete with entry-level discrete GPUs, like the NVIDIA GTX 1650.

Architectural Features:

- Supports DDR5-6400 and LPDDR5X-7500, critical for the speed of the iGPU.

- XDNA 2 AI accelerator for machine learning tasks (noise cancellation in Zoom, automatic retouching in Photoshop).

Power Consumption and TDP: Balance Between Performance and Heat

With a TDP of 55W, this processor falls into the category of high-performance mobile solutions (the H-series for Intel). This means:

- Laptops with this chip will be thicker and heavier than ultrabooks due to the need for a powerful cooling system.

- In idle mode, power consumption drops to 5–10W thanks to PowerNow! technologies and precise voltage management.

Tip: Choose laptops with a vapor chamber and multiple fans — for example, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus or Lenovo Legion Pro.

Performance: From Office Tasks to 4K Rendering

Office Tasks and Multitasking

- Opening 50 tabs in Chrome + streaming + working in Excel — the processor remains cool, and utilization rarely exceeds 20%.

- PCMark 10 test: ~7500 points — desktop PC level.

Multimedia and Creativity

- 4K video rendering in DaVinci Resolve: 30% faster than the Ryzen 9 7940HS (thanks to the 64MB cache).

- Working in Photoshop with AI filters: XDNA 2 accelerates processing by 40%.

Gaming

- In Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p, medium settings), the iGPU delivers 45–55 FPS. Comfortable gaming is achievable by lowering the resolution to 720p or using FSR.

- In turbo mode (up to 5 GHz), the processor "boosts" for 10–15 seconds, then stabilizes at 4.2–4.5 GHz due to TDP limitations.

Use Cases: Who is Strix Halo For?

1. Creative Professionals: Video editors, 3D designers, CAD engineers — 12 cores and fast memory will reduce rendering times.

2. Gamers without a discrete GPU: For Esports (CS2, Valorant), the iGPU suffices, but AAA titles will require compromises.

3. Software Developers: Code compilation and testing in virtual environments will speed up by 25% compared to 8-core CPUs.

Example: A laptop with the Ryzen AI Max Pro 390 can replace a desktop for a streamer who edits videos on the go.

Battery Life: The Price of Performance

Under heavy load (gaming, rendering), the laptop lasts 1.5–2 hours. In office mode (50% brightness, Wi-Fi) — up to 6–7 hours, provided the battery is robust (90 Wh).

Power-saving Technologies:

- Precision Boost 4: Dynamically disables unused cores.

- Adaptive Power Management: Reduces iGPU frequency when running on battery.

Tip: Disable turbo mode in Windows settings if maximum battery life is needed.

Comparison with Competitors: Who's Leading?

- Intel Core i9-13900HX: 24 threads (8P + 16E), but higher heat and TDP up to 157W. Better in single-threaded tasks, but Ryzen wins in multi-threading and energy efficiency.

- Apple M3 Max: 16 cores, phenomenal battery life, but macOS and limited compatibility with Windows software.

- Previous AMD Generations: Ryzen 9 7945HX (16 cores) is 15% faster in multi-threading, but requires bulkier cooling.

Pros and Cons

Strengths:

- Powerful iGPU for gaming and editing.

- Large L3 cache accelerates professional tasks.

- Support for Wi-Fi 7 and USB4.

Weaknesses:

- High TDP — noisy coolers.

- Price: Laptops start at $2000.

- No Thunderbolt 5 (available only with Intel).

Laptop Selection Recommendations

1. Type of Device:

- Workstation: At least 32GB DDR5, 4K screen 100% DCI-P3 (e.g., Dell XPS 17).

- Gaming: Display with 144Hz refresh rate and FreeSync (ASUS ROG Strix Scar).

- Premium Ultrabook: Thin chassis with enhanced cooling (Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i).

2. What to Pay Attention To:

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

- Battery: From 90 Wh.

- Ports: HDMI 2.1, USB4 for connecting external monitors.

Final Conclusion

The AMD Ryzen AI Max Pro 390 is the choice for those who need desktop-level performance in a mobile format. This processor is for:

- Professionals who value time and mobility.

- Gamers willing to make compromises for the absence of a discrete GPU.

- Tech enthusiasts keeping an eye on innovations (AI accelerator, DDR5X).

Key Benefits: Powerful iGPU, record cache, readiness for AI workloads. If you're looking for an all-in-one solution, Strix Halo will meet expectations, but be prepared for a high price and weight of the device.

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 390

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).

Total Threads

Where applicable, Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology is only available on Performance-cores.

Performance-cores

Performance-core Base Frequency

3.2 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

64 MB shared

Unlocked Multiplier

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

32.0

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.

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.

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.

Miscellaneous

PCIe Lanes