The AMD Ryzen AI Max series processors are high-performance, AI-focused APUs that combine CPU, GPU, and NPU cores into a single SoC. Built on the Zen 5 architecture, these chips feature RDNA 3.5 graphics and a dedicated XDNA 2 NPU, providing exceptional AI acceleration for gaming, content creation, and professional tasks on slim laptops and mini PCs.

The Ryzen AI Max series offers impressive performance, versatility, and efficiency, with the capability to handle complex AI models. Available in various models such as the AMD Ryzen AI Max 385, Max 390, and Max+ 395, this article takes a closer look at the Ryzen AI Max+ 395 processor, its functionality, and its applications.

What is the Ryzen AI Max+ 395 Processor?

The Ryzen AI Max+ 395 is a high-end processor from AMD, specifically designed for gaming, content creation, and AI workloads. Built on the Zen 5 architecture, it integrates a CPU, GPU, and AI acceleration into a single chip. The processor features RDNA 3.5 graphics and an XDNA 2 NPU for enhanced performance in AI tasks. It also includes an integrated Radeon 8060S GPU with 40 compute units, a dedicated XDNA2 NPU for AI acceleration, and a 16-core or 32-thread Zen 5 CPU. This combination of advanced GPU, CPU, and AI capabilities makes the Ryzen AI Max+ 395 ideal for compact yet powerful mini PCs and laptops.

Ryzen AI Max+ 395 Processor

Ryzen AI Max+ 395 Specifications

• Processor Type: High-performance, AI-focused processor developed by AMD.
• Cores/Threads: 16 Cores / 32 Threads
• Architecture: Zen 5 (Strix Halo)
• Manufacturing Process: 4 nm
• Cache: 64 MB L3 Cache
• Base Clock Speed: 3 GHz
• Boost Clock Speed: Up to 5.1 GHz
• Total Cache: 80 MB (16 MB L2 + 64 MB L3)
• TDP (Thermal Design Power): 55W
• Configurable TDP: 45W to 120W
• Graphics Model: Integrated AMD Radeon 8060S Graphics
• Graphics Cores: 40
• Graphics Frequency: Up to 2900 MHz
• AI Engine: XDNA 2 NPU
• NPU TOPS (AI Performance): Up to 50 TOPS
• System TOPS (Overall Performance): Up to 126 TOPS
• Memory Type: 256-bit LPDDR5x
• Max Memory Speed: LPDDR5x-8000
• Max Memory Capacity: 128 GB
• USB Ports: Two Native USB 4, Three USB 3.2 Gen 2
• PCI Express Version: PCIe 4.0

How does AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 Work?

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 operates as an integrated processor that combines a high-performance RDNA 3.5 GPU, a dedicated AI accelerator (XDNA2 NPU), and a powerful Zen 5 CPU into a single package. This unified design allows the CPU, GPU, and NPU to share high-bandwidth LPDDR5x memory, reducing data transfer delays and boosting AI performance.

By using a unified memory architecture, all components can access the same pool of system RAM and GPU VRAM, eliminating the need for time-consuming data copying between different memory pools. This results in faster processing speeds and improved efficiency, especially when handling large datasets.

The NPU works alongside the GPU in a hybrid mode to accelerate AI tasks, delivering high TPS (tokens per second) performance, which is essential for AI-driven applications like generative AI. The integrated components in this architecture efficiently manage diverse tasks such as content creation, video encoding, and AI processing, offering high performance with lower power consumption compared to traditional, discrete GPUs.

Ryzen AI Max+ 395 Architecture

The Ryzen AI Max+ 395 is an accelerated processing unit (APU) built on the Strix Halo architecture. It integrates several powerful components into a single chip, including:

• Radeon 8060S GPU with 40 RDNA 3.5 compute units
• Zen 5 CPU with 16 cores
• XDNA 2 NPU for AI acceleration

Manufactured using TSMC's 4nm process, this processor is designed for AI-accelerated computing, delivering high performance and efficiency. With its high core count, powerful integrated graphics, and support for LPDDR5x memory (up to 128GB), the Ryzen AI Max+ 395 is built to handle demanding tasks such as AI processing, gaming, and content creation.

Architecture Components

The Ryzen AI Max+ 395 integrates several advanced components to deliver high performance across various tasks. Here's a breakdown of its key elements:

CPU

The Ryzen AI Max+ 395 features a 16-core Zen 5 CPU with 32 threads, offering clock speeds ranging from 3.0 GHz to 5.1 GHz. This processor is optimized for AI-accelerated computing and works alongside the integrated Radeon 8060S GPU and XDNA2 NPU, delivering up to 126 TOPS of system-wide AI performance. Built using TSMC’s 4nm FinFET process, the CPU benefits from a robust cache hierarchy, with a total of 80 MB cache. It also supports up to 128 GB of LPDDR5x-8000 RAM for high bandwidth and efficiency.

GPU

The integrated RDNA 3.5-based AMD Radeon 8060S GPU in the Ryzen AI Max+ 395 features 40 compute units (CUs), delivering desktop-class graphics performance for demanding tasks like gaming and content creation. This GPU utilizes a portion of the system’s unified memory, which can be configured with up to 96 GB for graphics. The GPU’s performance is comparable to dedicated graphics cards like the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti, even though it shares memory and power resources with the CPU cores in the APU. This unified memory design enables efficient multitasking and seamless performance for high-end applications.

AI Accelerator

The XDNA 2 engine in the Ryzen AI Max+ 395 is a dedicated neural processing unit (NPU) integrated into the SoC (System on Chip). This NPU is specifically designed to accelerate AI workloads, such as language models and image generation.

The XDNA 2 NPU works in tandem with the RDNA 3.5 integrated GPU and the Zen 5 CPU cores, leveraging the unified memory architecture to enhance both performance and efficiency. The collaboration between these components allows for optimized processing power, enabling seamless execution of demanding tasks.

Primarily focused on AI processing, the XDNA 2 NPU excels in tasks like generative AI, significantly boosting performance in areas such as image generation and large language models. By operating in hybrid mode alongside the GPU and CPU, it delivers exceptional AI performance, combining the strengths of all three accelerators for maximum efficiency.

This architecture makes use of a unified memory pool, allowing the GPU, NPU, and CPU to access the same data without the need for separate copy operations. This design improves memory efficiency and accelerates AI processing, resulting in faster performance and reduced latency.

Memory & Cache

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 processor supports 64GB/128GB of LPDDR5x memory running at 8000 MHz. It features a 256-bit memory bus that can accommodate up to 128GB of memory. This system memory is shared between the CPU and the integrated graphics, allowing flexible memory allocation for both system and video tasks.

The processor also includes a total of 80 MB of combined L2 and L3 cache. The L2 cache is 16 MB, with 1 MB per core, while the L3 cache is 64 MB and can be shared across all cores, providing efficient data access and boosting overall performance.

Manufacturing Process

The Ryzen AI Max+ 395 processor is built using a multi-chip design, where the CPU cores, GPU, and AI accelerator are fabricated on a 4nm FinFET process by TSMC. This process involves creating multiple chips (dies), including a central I/O die, and integrating them into a single package. The architecture is then integrated into devices by OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) like Framework, GEKOM, and HP.

Base Clock & Boost Clock

The base clock is the processor's standard operating speed, while the boost clock represents the highest speed it can reach for brief bursts of demanding tasks.

• Base Clock: 3.0 GHz — This provides consistent, reliable performance for everyday tasks like document editing, web browsing, and light applications.
• Boost Clock: Up to 5.1 GHz — The boost clock offers a significant performance increase for short periods, making it ideal for handling heavy workloads such as video editing, complex AI computations, and gaming, ensuring a smoother and more responsive experience when the processor is under heavy load.

Connectivity

The Ryzen AI Max+ 395 processor offers extensive connectivity options, supporting a range of ports and standards:

• USB Ports: Includes USB 2.0, USB 3.2 Gen 2, and USB 4.
• PCIe Support: PCIe 4.0 for fast data transfer and high-performance devices.
• Display Options: Supports DisplayPort 2.1 for high-speed display configurations, such as with the Framework desktop.
• Networking: Includes ports like a 5Gbit Ethernet port and HDMI 2.1.
• Wireless Connectivity: Depends on the specific laptop or motherboard but typically includes Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi 6E for fast, reliable wireless connections.

Software System

The software ecosystem for the Ryzen AI Max+ 395 is built to support both gaming and AI development:

• Adrenalin Edition AMD Software: This suite provides gaming and driver features, allowing developers to run AI models on the integrated NPU or GPU.
• OS Compatibility: The processor supports Windows 10 and future operating system updates, alongside system-specific drivers for optimal performance.
• AI Development Tools: Developers can deploy AI models (such as TensorFlow and PyTorch) using ONNX Runtime, which enables easy model porting and execution on the processor's hardware accelerators.
• On-Device AI Inference: By utilizing the Ryzen AI software and ONNX Runtime, developers can run AI models directly on the device without relying on cloud computing, enabling faster, on-device AI processing.

This combination of connectivity and software capabilities ensures that the Ryzen AI Max+ 395 processor is not only powerful for gaming but also highly efficient for AI development and inference.

Advantages of Ryzen AI Max+ 395

1. All-in-One Solution: The processor integrates the GPU, CPU, and AI accelerators on a single chip, eliminating the need for a separate discrete graphics card.
2. Outstanding Multi-Core Performance: It provides exceptional multi-core performance, making it ideal for demanding applications.
3. Power Efficiency: Perfect for compact systems where power and thermal constraints are important, delivering high performance while keeping power consumption low.
4. Integrated AI Engine: The AI engine accelerates the implementation of AI-driven applications, making it highly suitable for tasks like machine learning and image recognition.
5. Creator Tool Performance: The processor provides a substantial performance boost for creative applications such as video editing, graphic design, and rendering.
6. Compact Form Factor Compatibility: Ideal for mini-ITX or other small form factor builds, where space and power are limited but high performance is still necessary.
7. Dedicated NPU Acceleration: The NPU accelerates AI tasks, making it well-suited for privacy-focused applications that require local data processing.
8. Gaming and Creative Stability: Delivers stable performance for high-end gaming and professional creative workflows in a compact, efficient package.

Disadvantages of Ryzen AI Max+ 395

1. Cost: The processor can be expensive, especially compared to other mainstream options.
2. Not Suitable for GPU-Heavy Applications: It may not be ideal for GPU-intensive professional applications, such as 3D rendering or CAD, where a dedicated graphics card is essential.
3. Gaming Performance Limits: It may not match the raw power of high-end, discrete GPUs for gaming at 1440p/4K resolutions with high refresh rates.
4. Memory Bandwidth Limitations: The GPU shares system RAM via the PCIe bus, which could result in lower memory bandwidth compared to dedicated VRAM.
5. Increased Heat and Noise: Under full system load, the processor’s higher power draw can generate additional heat and increase fan noise.
6. Potential Compatibility Issues: There may be compatibility problems with older software or hardware due to the advanced nature of the processor’s architecture.

This combination of strengths and weaknesses makes the Ryzen AI Max+ 395 a versatile and powerful option for many applications, though not without its limitations in certain professional and gaming scenarios.

Applications of Ryzen AI Max+ 395

The Ryzen AI Max+ 395 processor excels in a variety of applications, particularly in AI and creative fields:

1. AI Workloads: Specifically designed to run large AI models, this processor accelerates AI-driven tasks efficiently.
2. Creative Software: It enhances creative software performance, such as video editing and image generation, by accelerating AI-enhanced features.
3. Privacy-Sensitive AI Applications: The NPU (Neural Processing Unit) allows local AI processing, making it suitable for privacy-focused tasks and applications, where sensitive data is processed directly on the device rather than the cloud.
4. Healthcare AI: It can be applied in healthcare for personalized treatment plans and diagnostic applications, helping AI-driven systems provide better patient care.
5. Entertainment Industry: The processor supports entertainment applications, such as animation generation and graphic rendering, allowing for high-quality, real-time creation.
6. Gaming at Higher Resolutions: The Ryzen AI Max+ 395 can run modern games at higher settings and resolutions, like 1440p, frequently incorporating FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution) features for enhanced visual fidelity.
7. High-Performance Gaming: Perfect for living room PCs or mini-ITX builds, it enables high-performance gaming without the need for a separate, larger graphics card.
8. Compact Systems for Creators and Developers: Combining Zen 5 CPU cores, RDNA 3.5 graphics, and XDNA 2 AI acceleration, it offers desktop-class power in compact systems, making it ideal for creators, developers, and AI enthusiasts.

What is XDNA 2 NPU?

The XDNA 2 NPU (Neural Processing Unit) is a dedicated AI accelerator within the Ryzen AI Max+ 395 processor. Its primary function is to accelerate AI workloads, especially those requiring high levels of parallel computation, like image recognition, machine learning, and generative AI tasks. The XDNA 2 NPU is optimized for handling AI-specific tasks locally on the device, improving privacy, speed, and efficiency. By working in tandem with the GPU and CPU, it enhances the processor's ability to run complex AI models without relying on cloud computing, enabling real-time AI inference on the device itself.

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