AMD CES 2024: New AI CPUs Power Gaming & Beyond!
AMD Chair and CEO Lisa Su opened her keynote at CES 2024 with a powerful vision: bringing AI to everyone. This isn't just about futuristic robots; it's about fundamentally changing how we interact with our computers, enhancing productivity, creativity, and entertainment. As part of this ambitious goal, AMD unveiled a new generation of AI processors, signaling a strong belief that AI-powered personal computers are the future of computing. The announcements at CES 2024 demonstrate AMD’s commitment to leading the charge in this new era of personalized AI experiences.
Introducing the AMD Ryzen AI 400 Series: A Leap Forward in AI Performance
The centerpiece of AMD’s CES 2024 presentation was the unveiling of the AMD Ryzen AI 400 Series processor. This latest iteration of AMD’s AI-powered PC chips represents a significant upgrade over previous generations, designed to deliver a more responsive and intelligent computing experience. AMD claims the new Ryzen processors offer a 1.3x performance boost in multitasking compared to competitors, and a remarkable 1.7x improvement in content creation tasks. This translates to smoother workflows, faster rendering times, and an overall more efficient user experience.
These new chips boast impressive specifications, including 12 CPU Cores – the individual processing units within the processor – and 24 threads, which are independent streams of instructions. This configuration allows for parallel processing, enabling the chip to handle multiple tasks simultaneously with ease. The increased core and thread count, combined with dedicated AI acceleration hardware, are key to the performance gains seen in the Ryzen AI 400 Series.
Building on a Legacy of Innovation
The Ryzen AI 400 Series builds upon the foundation laid by the Ryzen AI 300 Series processor, announced in 2024. AMD first entered the Ryzen processor market in 2017, and has consistently pushed the boundaries of performance and innovation. Each generation has brought improvements in efficiency, speed, and features, culminating in the powerful AI capabilities now offered in the Ryzen AI 400 Series.
Expanding the AI PC Ecosystem
Rahul Tikoo, Senior Vice President and General Manager of AMD’s client business, highlighted the company’s rapid expansion in the AI PC space. During a recent press briefing, Tikoo announced that AMD now has over 250 AI PC platforms powered by its processors – a 2x growth over the past year. This demonstrates the growing demand for AI-powered PCs and AMD’s success in meeting that demand.
“In the years ahead, AI is going to be a multi-layered fabric that gets woven into every level of computing at the personal layer,” Tikoo stated. “Our AI PCs and devices will transform how we work, how we play, how we create and how we connect with each other.” This vision underscores AMD’s belief that AI will become an integral part of our daily lives, seamlessly integrated into the devices we use every day.
Gaming Gets a Boost with the Ryzen 7 9850X3D
AMD didn’t forget about gamers at CES 2024. The company also announced the release of the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D, the latest iteration of its gaming-focused processor. This chip is designed to deliver exceptional gaming performance, with optimized architecture and features for demanding titles. The 9850X3D leverages AMD’s 3D V-Cache technology to provide a massive amount of on-chip memory, reducing latency and improving frame rates.
“No matter who you are and how you use technology on a daily basis, AI is reshaping everyday computing,” Tikoo emphasized. “You have thousands of interactions with your PC every day. AI is able to understand, learn context, bring automation, provide deep reasoning and personal customization to every individual.” This highlights the broad applicability of AI, extending beyond gaming and content creation to enhance all aspects of the computing experience.
Availability and Future Outlook
PCs featuring either the Ryzen AI 300 Series processor or the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D processor are expected to become available in the first quarter of 2026. This means consumers will soon be able to experience the benefits of AI-powered computing firsthand. Major PC manufacturers are already working to integrate these new processors into their upcoming product lines.
Redstone Ray Tracing: Elevating Visual Fidelity
Beyond the processors themselves, AMD also unveiled the latest version of its Redstone ray tracing technology. Ray tracing simulates the physical behavior of light, resulting in more realistic and immersive graphics in video games. The updated Redstone technology allows for improved visual fidelity without sacrificing performance or speed. This means gamers can enjoy stunning graphics without experiencing lag or frame rate drops.
The Impact of Ray Tracing on Gaming
Ray tracing is a game-changer for visual quality, adding depth and realism to game environments. It accurately simulates how light interacts with objects, creating more believable shadows, reflections, and global illumination. AMD’s Redstone technology makes ray tracing more accessible, allowing a wider range of gamers to experience this cutting-edge technology.
The Rise of the AI PC: A New Era of Computing
AMD’s announcements at CES 2024 clearly demonstrate the company’s commitment to driving the adoption of AI PCs. The Ryzen AI 400 Series and Ryzen 7 9850X3D processors, combined with advancements in ray tracing technology, are poised to deliver a transformative computing experience. The increasing number of AI PC platforms powered by AMD processors signals a growing trend towards intelligent and personalized computing.
The future of computing is undoubtedly AI-powered. AMD is at the forefront of this revolution, empowering users with the tools they need to work, play, and create in new and exciting ways. As AI continues to evolve, we can expect even more innovative features and capabilities to emerge, further enhancing the capabilities of our personal computers.
Follow along with all of GearTech’s coverage of the annual CES conference here.