AMD Unveils Ryzen AI Max 400 Series Processors for Advanced AI Development

AMD has introduced the Ryzen AI Max 400 series, a significant update to its AI-focused processor lineup, targeting AI development platforms and professional workloads. Building on the foundation of the previous Ryzen AI Max 300 series, also known as "Strix Halo," the new processors deliver enhanced performance, expanded memory support, and advanced AI capabilities.

Key Features of the Ryzen AI Max 400 Series

The Ryzen AI Max 400 series integrates up to 16 high-performance "Zen 5" CPU cores, paired with a robust SoC die. This die features a powerful integrated GPU (iGPU) with up to 40 compute units based on the latest RDNA 3.5 graphics architecture. The processors also include a next-generation Neural Processing Unit (NPU) capable of delivering up to 55 TOPS (trillions of operations per second), and a 4-channel (256-bit wide) LPDDR5X unified memory interface.

All three models in the series come equipped with AMD PRO features, offering enterprise-grade security and manageability that rival Intel’s vPro platform. Consumer versions of these processors are expected to launch later in the year.

Expanded Memory Support and Performance Enhancements

The standout improvement in the Ryzen AI Max 400 series is its upgraded memory controller. The new processors now support up to 192 GB of LPDDR5X memory, a substantial increase from the 128 GB limit of the previous generation. This expanded memory capacity is particularly beneficial for AI workloads, enabling support for large language models (LLMs) with over 300 billion parameters.

Users can manually allocate memory between the system and the iGPU, with the option to dedicate up to 160 GB as video memory for demanding graphics and AI tasks. Additionally, the iGPU’s maximum boost frequency has been raised to 3.00 GHz (up from 2.90 GHz), while the "Zen 5" CPU cores now reach up to 5.20 GHz (previously 5.10 GHz). The integrated NPU also receives a 10% performance boost, now achieving 55 TOPS.

Ryzen AI Max 400 Series Processor Models

  • Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 495: The flagship model features 16 cores and 32 threads, with CPU boost speeds up to 5.20 GHz. It includes the full 40 CU iGPU and a 55 TOPS NPU.
  • Ryzen AI Max PRO 490: This model offers 12 cores and 24 threads, boosting up to 5.00 GHz. The iGPU is equipped with 32 compute units, and the NPU delivers up to 50 TOPS.
  • Ryzen AI Max PRO 485: The entry-level option in the series, featuring 8 cores and 16 threads, also boosts up to 5.00 GHz. It shares the 32 CU iGPU and 50 TOPS NPU with the 490 model.

AMD has also announced plans for an updated Ryzen AI Halo machine, which will be powered by the Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 495 and equipped with 192 GB of memory, further pushing the boundaries of AI development hardware.

Enabling Next-Generation AI Workloads

With support for up to 192 GB of LPDDR5X memory and enhanced AI processing capabilities, the Ryzen AI Max 400 series is designed to meet the demands of cutting-edge AI research and development. The ability to handle large-scale language models and complex AI tasks positions these processors as a compelling choice for professionals and organizations seeking high-performance, scalable AI solutions.