Whether you suppose generative AI is prepared for prime time or not, there are many salient arguments for the concept that it is value upgrading to the newest {hardware}. Just like at all times, the latest chips are fabricated on the latest course of know-how and have the newest core architectures from every vendor. In the case of AMD, which means Zen 4 CPU cores, RDNA 3 graphics, and “XDNA” Ryzen AI neural processing items, or NPUs.
As of at this time, AMD has a three-pronged strategy to shopper CPUs for enterprise customers. At the highest finish are the Threadripper Pro 7000-series processors that we have already checked out a couple of occasions earlier than. For of us who do not want huge multi-core throughput, there are Ryzen PRO 8000-series desktop CPUs, after which for laptops we’ve got the Ryzen PRO 8040 collection cell processors.
It does not take a genius to determine that these components are essentially the identical {hardware} because the Ryzen 8000G desktop CPUs and Ryzen 8040 collection cell CPUs that each got here out earlier this yr. All of those components are primarily based on “Hawk Point” silicon, however the PRO variations of those processors do supply a number of additional options over the usual fashions. We’ll speak about these towards the tip. First, let’s check out these chips.
On the cell facet of issues, we’ve got components starting from the Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS all the way in which all the way down to the Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U. All of the HS components with a mannequin quantity ending in “45” have configurable TDPs between 35 and 54 watts, whereas the “40HS” components vary between 20 and 28 watts. Meanwhile, the “U” components have the standard 15-28W TDP vary. All of that is configurable by the system vendor, after all.
As the Hawk Point silicon solely has eight CPU cores in a single CCX, there’s not likely that a lot to distinguish these components. The Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U misses out on the Ryzen AI NPU, and it is possible that a few of these components have taken hits to the efficiency of their GPU {hardware}, but when so, AMD does not specify in its supplies at this time.
However, AMD comes out robust in its comparisons in opposition to Intel for at this time’s launches. On this slide, we see the Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U, configured for a 15W TDP, in contrast in opposition to Intel’s Core Ultra 7 165U and 165H processors at 15W and 28W TDPs, respectively. At least by AMD’s reckoning, its processor beats out the Intel chips by as a lot as 54% on this set of benchmarks regardless of the TDP benefit for Intel’s half.
In this slide, AMD compares workplace productiveness utilizing the UL Procyon benchmark suite. This set of benchmarks makes use of your system’s personal native set up of Microsoft Office functions to carry out a wide range of automated assessments. If we belief AMD’s numbers, its Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U at simply 15W is supposedly 70% quicker than Intel’s Core Ultra 7 165H at 28W. We have been impressed by the Core Ultra 7 165H within the MSI Prestige 16 AI EVO after we examined it, so which means these components have to be actually fast—or the additional 16GB of RAM in AMD’s take a look at platform provides it an enormous benefit over the Intel platforms.
Comparing top-end laptop computer components with discrete GPUs, AMD once more claims efficiency management, this time in opposition to Intel’s Core Ultra 9 185H. The positive aspects listed below are smaller total, though AMD highlights a 50% efficiency benefit in opposition to Intel’s quickest Core Ultra CPU in Topaz Labs AI-powered video upscaling, which might be spectacular if the AMD take a look at platform did not have a a lot bigger discrete GPU inside than the Intel rig (per AMD’s personal take a look at notes.)
Naturally, provided that these are the primary Ryzen PRO processors to come back with NPUs onboard, AMD needed to dunk on its competitor in some AI workloads. However, we’ve got to notice that AMD does not specify that the NPU is definitely in use right here. In our personal testing, we discovered that on each AMD and Intel, AI processing was quicker utilizing the built-in GPU on cell chips versus utilizing the NPU. It’s not fairly clear what’s being in contrast right here, then, however AMD claims to be as much as 85% quicker than Intel in these assessments, anyway.
On the desktop, we see a extra various collection of SKUs, fewer of which have Ryzen AI inbuilt. These components are as soon as once more essentially an identical to the Ryzen 8000G desktop processors that AMD launched again in January, simply with the Pro options enabled. The “E” fashions, as common, see a discount in base TDP, whereas the lower-end components from each normal and “E” households lose the NPU.
AMD has much less to say the efficiency of its Ryzen PRO 8000 desktop CPUs, however there are nonetheless some fairly attention-grabbing claims right here. AMD says that its Ryzen 7 PRO 8700G at 65 watts is quicker than Intel’s Core i7-14700 with the identical TDP throughout a reasonably respectable number of productiveness assessments. The standout is after all the triple efficiency within the 3DMark Time Spy graphics take a look at, however that is largely all the way down to the truth that we’re evaluating a classical desktop CPU with minimal graphics in opposition to what can be a repurposed cell processor that might as soon as have been branded “APU.” Still, the positive aspects within the different apps are spectacular, particularly contemplating that we’re evaluating an eight-core CPU to a 20-core chip.
Another issue that makes the efficiency distinction much more stunning is that the Ryzen 7 PRO 8700G attracts much less energy than the Core i7-14700. AMD hammers on the ability effectivity angle with these components—though we do must level out that comment on this slide: “it doesn’t matter what the workload, the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8700G Processor is extra environment friendly and higher performing.” That’s an enormous declare from AMD, however the numbers it presents are compelling and we do not see any apparent “catches” within the supplied take a look at information.
If you are studying this and realistically contemplating an AMD Ryzen PRO buy, you most likely already know what that “PRO” badge entails, however simply in case, let’s speak about it a bit. AMD’s PRO CPUs supply the identical efficiency and effectivity as its normal Ryzen CPUs, simply with some additional business-oriented options tacked on. That contains additional safety features like AMD Shadow Stack and the Pluton safety processor, distant administration options like assist for Windows Autopilot and cloud-based distant manageability, and an extended assist cycle.
AMD particularly factors out how its new cloud-based distant administration options for its Ryzen PRO 8000G desktop CPUs can streamline your IT operations by permitting distant technicians to do practically something remotely that they might do with the machine at hand.
AMD is partnering with the standard suspects for this launch, that being HP and Lenovo. The firm notes that the entire above {hardware} is coming quickly, so you will have your alternative of cell machines or micro-workstations with the brand new Hawk Point silicon ahead of later. Time will inform if the AI a part of these Ryzen PRO 8000 processors finally ends up with actual utility, however even when the NPUs have been fully absent, you’d nonetheless be taking a look at extraordinarily performant and environment friendly CPUs. That makes the Ryzen AI NPUs virtually like a cherry on prime of AMD’s 2024 industrial CPU portfolio.
