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AMD Introduces Ryzen 9000X3D Processors Tailored for Elite Gaming and Productivity

### AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D and 9900X3D: Entering a New Chapter in High-Performance CPUs

AMD has once again redefined desktop computing with the unveiling of its Ryzen 9 9950X3D and 9900X3D processors at CES 2025. Building on the achievements of its 3D V-Cache technology, these latest chips are designed for a niche yet expanding audience: users who seek elite gaming performance alongside strong multi-core capabilities for professional tasks. Below is an overview of the advantages these processors offer and how they compare to their predecessors and rivals.

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### **Key Features and Specifications**

The Ryzen 9 9950X3D and 9900X3D showcase AMD’s most recent advancements in the Zen 5 architecture, merging high core counts with the advantages of 3D V-Cache technology. Here’s what sets these chips apart:

– **Core and Thread Count**:
– The **9900X3D** is equipped with 12 cores and 24 threads, achieving clock speeds of up to 5.5 GHz.
– The **9950X3D** elevates the standard with 16 cores and 32 threads, reaching a peak clock speed of 5.7 GHz.

– **Cache**:
– Both models include an extra 64MB of L3 cache thanks to 3D V-Cache, contributing to totals of 144MB for the 9950X3D and 140MB for the 9900X3D. This additional cache significantly enhances gaming performance by allowing quicker access to frequently accessed data.

– **Performance Gains**:
– AMD asserts an **8% increase in gaming performance** and a **13% uplift for professional content creation tasks** compared to the prior-generation Ryzen 9 7950X3D.

– **Thermal Design**:
– Similar to the 9800X3D, the cache is arranged beneath the CPU cores rather than above, a design decision that improves thermal efficiency and cooling performance.

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### **Gaming Performance: Moderate Enhancements**

While the 9950X3D and 9900X3D are outstanding in capability, AMD has been clear about their gaming performance. The company indicates that these processors only deliver about **1% more speed in games** compared to the 9800X3D, which debuted in late 2024. Such a small advancement suggests AMD is focusing on a distinct audience—users needing equilibrium between gaming and demanding multi-threaded tasks.

For gamers who predominantly utilize their PCs for gaming, the 9800X3D remains an attractive option, providing nearly the same performance at what is likely a lower price. Nevertheless, for users involved in activities like video editing, 3D rendering, or software development, the enhanced cores and threads of the 9950X3D and 9900X3D could be transformative.

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### **Professional Workloads: The Strength of These Chips**

The real prowess of the 9950X3D and 9900X3D shines in their capacity to manage CPU-heavy tasks. With up to 16 cores and 32 threads, these processors are well-suited for professionals who must manage multiple demanding applications simultaneously. For example, content creators can leverage the additional cores when rendering videos or conducting simulations, while developers can compile extensive codebases with heightened efficiency.

The 3D V-Cache also enhances performance in specific professional applications, especially those that are heavily reliant on cache memory. AMD predicts a **13% performance enhancement in content creation software** compared to the 7950X3D, making these processors a valuable upgrade for professionals.

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### **Core Parking and Gaming Optimization**

A distinctive feature of AMD’s X3D processors is their dual-chiplet configuration. In these CPUs, one chiplet houses the 3D V-Cache while the other does not. To maximize gaming efficiency, AMD’s drivers and the CPU scheduler in Windows seek to “park” the cores lacking the cache during gaming sessions. This technique ensures that games utilize the faster, cache-enabled cores.

However, this system has not functioned flawlessly at all times. Some users of the Ryzen 7000X3D series have reported core parking issues that can lead to fluctuating performance. AMD has committed to addressing these concerns, and the new Ryzen 9000X3D series is anticipated to benefit from these enhancements. For those still facing challenges, tech enthusiasts like YouTuber JayzTwoCents have provided comprehensive guides on troubleshooting and optimizing core parking for improved performance.

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### **Pricing and Availability**

AMD has yet to disclose the pricing for the 9950X3D and 9900X3D, but educated predictions can be made based on prior pricing trends. The 9800X3D launched

AMD Introduces Laptop CPU Range Merging New Silicon with Renamed Previous Chips

# AMD’s Newest Ryzen AI Processors: Premium Performance with Budget-Friendly Rebranding

At CES 2025, AMD’s recent revelations have paved the way for a groundbreaking year in both laptop and desktop computing. The company introduced a range of new processors, from state-of-the-art Ryzen AI CPUs boasting advanced AI features to cost-effective Ryzen 200 series chips that revamp older technology. Below is a comprehensive overview of what AMD offers to both consumers and professionals.

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## **Ryzen AI 300 Series: Advancing the AI Landscape**

The Ryzen AI 300 series from AMD, which debuted in 2024, has undergone a major enhancement. These processors aim to utilize AI features for various tasks such as live transcription, superior video conferencing, and AI-facilitated productivity applications like Microsoft’s Copilot+.

### **New Models: Ryzen AI 7 350 and Ryzen AI 5 340**
The newly introduced Ryzen AI 7 350 and Ryzen AI 5 340 processors broaden the selection with mid-range alternatives:
– **Ryzen AI 7 350**: Comprises 8 CPU cores divided between high-efficiency Zen 5 cores and power-saving Zen 5C cores, paired with a Radeon 860M GPU featuring 8 graphic cores.
– **Ryzen AI 5 340**: Provides 6 CPU cores (also divided between Zen 5 and Zen 5C) and a Radeon 840M GPU with 4 graphic cores.

Both processors come with a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) capable of 50 TOPS (trillion operations per second), enabling them to utilize Copilot+ features. They represent an excellent choice for individuals pursuing AI-enhanced computing at a budget-friendly price.

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## **Ryzen AI Max and Max+: Elite Performance Champions**

For users desiring top-notch performance, AMD has rolled out the Ryzen AI Max and Max+ series. These processors cater to sleek laptops needing substantial processing capability without the inconvenience of a dedicated GPU.

### **Key Features**
– **Ryzen AI Max+ 395**: Boasts 16 Zen 5 CPU cores and a Radeon 8060S GPU featuring 40 graphic cores.
– **Ryzen AI Max 390**: Offers 12 CPU cores along with a Radeon 8050S GPU equipped with 32 graphic cores.
– **Ryzen AI Max 385**: Contains 8 CPU cores and the same Radeon 8050S GPU as the Max 390.

All these processors come with the same 50 TOPS NPU seen in lower-tier models, ensuring exceptional performance in AI-related tasks. The built-in GPUs, with up to 40 cores, guarantee decent gaming performance and media handling, making these options attractive for both creative professionals and gamers.

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## **Ryzen HX and HX3D: Desktop Performance for Portable Devices**

AMD also aims at high-performance gaming laptops and workstations with its new Ryzen HX and HX3D processors. These chips are essentially desktop CPUs adapted for laptop use, delivering unmatched power for intensive applications.

### **Key Features**
– **Ryzen 9 9955HX**: A 16-core processor engineered for gaming laptops equipped with dedicated GPUs.
– **Ryzen 9 9955HX3D**: Incorporates AMD’s 3D V-Cache technology, adding an extra 64MB of L3 cache to enhance gaming and multitasking efficiency.

These processors are perfect for users in need of desktop-level power in a portable package, suitable for gamers, video editors, and 3D designers.

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## **Ryzen 200 Series: A Budget-Friendly Option**

For those budget-minded consumers, AMD has launched the Ryzen 200 series. However, these processors are not entirely novel—they are rebranded iterations of the Ryzen 8040 series, which were minor enhancements of the Ryzen 7040 series.

### **Processor Overview**
– **Ryzen 9 270, Ryzen 7 260, Ryzen 7 250**: Feature 8 Zen 4 CPU cores and Radeon 780M GPUs with 12 graphic cores.
– **Ryzen 5 240, Ryzen 5 230**: Present 6 Zen 4 CPU cores and Radeon 760M GPUs with 8 graphic cores.
– **Ryzen 5 220, Ryzen 3 210**: Comprise a combination of Zen 4 and Zen 4C cores, along with Radeon 740M GPUs for fundamental graphic tasks.

While these processors can manage everyday computing needs, they do not possess the AI capabilities of the Ryzen AI series. This makes them less equipped for the future but still a reasonable choice for users upgrading from older machines.

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## **The Pros and Cons**

### **Advantages**
– **AI Integration**: The Ryzen AI series continues to expand the potential functionalities of laptops, making AI-based tasks more achievable for the average user.
– **Diverse Performance Options**: Ranging from premium gaming laptops to budget alternatives.

“Individual Films Waymo Autonomous Vehicle Continuously Moving in Loops, Resulting in Bewilderment”

### Waymo’s “Looping Event”: An Insight into Autonomous Driving Challenges

The aspiration for a completely autonomous future frequently encounters obstacles, as demonstrated by a recent occurrence involving a Waymo self-driving vehicle in Scottsdale, Arizona. The car, part of Waymo’s fleet of driverless taxis, became ensnared in a “looping event,” continuously circling a parking lot for over five minutes while its passenger, Mike Johns, was heading to the airport. This peculiar incident underscores both the potential and the difficulties of self-driving technology.

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### The Incident: A Whirling Ride

Mike Johns, an AI consultant and founder of Digital Mind State, was eager to experience a ride in a Waymo self-driving vehicle. However, his excitement quickly turned to annoyance when the car started orbiting a parking lot close to his pickup point. In a video he shared on LinkedIn, Johns voiced his disbelief and worry, stating, “Why is this happening to me on a Monday? I have a flight to catch, why is this thing going in circles? I’m feeling dizzy.”

During the ride, Johns reached out to Waymo’s customer service via the car’s integrated communication system. Despite his agitation, the customer support agent reassured him they were working to resolve the problem. Ultimately, the vehicle returned to its intended route, and Johns arrived at the airport in time for his flight. Waymo subsequently confirmed that Johns was not billed for the ride.

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### Waymo’s Follow-Up: A Software Solution

Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet, Google’s parent company, recognized the incident and attributed it to a software glitch. A Waymo representative stated that the “looping event” transpired on December 9, 2024, and was remedied in a later software update. The company clarified that the issue was localized to the specific area where the incident occurred and was corrected during a routinely scheduled update.

While Waymo did not specify whether the update addressed a broader routing concern or was confined to that location, the organization highlighted that such events are infrequent. “Our rider support agent did assist in initiating maneuvers that contributed to resolving the issue,” the representative commented.

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### The Human Factor: Real or Artificial?

An intriguing aspect of the incident was Johns’ uncertainty regarding whether he was conversing with a human or an AI agent during his dialogue with Waymo’s support team. While Waymo confirmed that all its rider support personnel are trained human operators, Johns remained doubtful. His spokesperson later stated that he had not received a comprehensive explanation regarding the incident from Waymo, leaving him with unresolved questions about the experience.

This ambiguity highlights a broader concern in the autonomous vehicle sector: the necessity for clear communication and a “human touch” in circumstances where technology fails. Johns himself remarked that the incident felt like “a case of today’s digital age, a half-developed product, and nobody meeting the customer halfway.”

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### Could the Issue Have Been Prevented?

Waymo vehicles feature a “Pull Over” option that enables passengers to conclude their ride early by tapping a button in the app or on the car’s passenger display. However, Johns was unaware of this capability at the time of the occurrence. His spokesperson confirmed that he did not utilize the feature before reaching out to customer service.

This underscores the significance of informing users about the functionalities and features of autonomous vehicles. A simple awareness of the “Pull Over” option might have alleviated Johns’ agitation and hastened the issue resolution.

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### The Larger Perspective: Hurdles in Autonomous Driving

The “looping event” serves as a reminder that while self-driving technology has achieved remarkable progress, it is not void of challenges. Routing mistakes, software issues, and unforeseen circumstances can disrupt the user experience and undermine public confidence in autonomous systems. Incidents like this emphasize the necessity of thorough testing, solid customer support, and transparent communication to provide a seamless experience for riders.

As a frontrunner in the autonomous vehicle arena, Waymo has a duty to tackle these challenges proactively. The company’s swift response and software update are steps in the right direction, but the incident also sheds light on areas needing enhancement, particularly in user education and communication following an incident.

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### Conclusion: A Bump on the Path to Autonomy

The Scottsdale incident represents a small yet significant illustration of the complexities involved in deploying self-driving technology at scale. Although Waymo’s vehicles have successfully navigated millions of miles of autonomous driving, occasional glitches like this one serve as a reminder that the journey to full autonomy is still a work in progress.

For passengers like Mike Johns, the experience may act as a cautionary lesson about the existing state of self-driving technology. For Waymo and other entities in the industry, it provides a chance to learn, adjust, and continually enhance their systems to ensure that such “looping events” become relics of the past. As the technology progresses, so too must the systems and processes that support it, guaranteeing a

“AMD’s Latest Radeon RX 9000 GPUs Tackle Performance and Efficiency Issues”

# Enhanced Ray Tracing and ML-Driven FSR Upscaling: AMD’s RDNA 4 Strives to Bridge the Gap with Nvidia

The rivalry between AMD and Nvidia within the GPU sector has been intense for many years, with both companies striving for supremacy in gaming, AI, and professional tasks. As Nvidia gears up to launch its RTX 50 series, AMD has started to tease its next-gen RDNA 4 architecture, which promises noteworthy enhancements in ray tracing, AI functionality, and upscaling technologies. These advancements could assist AMD in narrowing the performance divide with Nvidia, especially in arenas where Nvidia has usually maintained an advantage, like ray tracing and machine learning (ML)-assisted upscaling.

## RDNA 4: A Peek into AMD’s Vision for 2025

AMD has announced that its RDNA 4 architecture is set for a launch in early 2025, starting with the Radeon RX 9070 XT and RX 9070 GPUs. These models are aimed at the upper-midrange market, designed to rival Nvidia’s RTX 4070 series. Although AMD has not yet disclosed detailed specs, the company has revealed some broad objectives for RDNA 4, including:

– **Enhanced Ray Tracing Performance**: AMD guarantees “substantially improved ray-tracing performance,” tackling a notable deficiency in its RX 6000 and RX 7000 series GPUs. Historically, AMD’s GPUs have found it challenging to compete with Nvidia’s in ray-traced gaming, even when they excelled in traditional rasterized tasks. Ameliorating this disparity could make AMD’s GPUs more attractive to gamers who emphasize visual quality.

– **Refined AI Capabilities**: RDNA 4 will incorporate “supercharged” AI compute abilities, potentially impacting gaming, content creation, and AI-oriented tasks. This aligns with wider industry patterns, as GPUs increasingly function as accelerators for machine learning and AI uses.

– **Streamlined Compute Units and Media Encoding**: AMD has suggested optimizations throughout, encompassing improved compute unit efficiency and enhanced media encoding quality. These upgrades could be advantageous for gamers, streamers, and professionals alike.

## FSR 4: AMD’s Initial ML-Enhanced Upscaling Algorithm

Among the most thrilling announcements linked to RDNA 4 is the launch of FidelityFX Super Resolution 4 (FSR 4), AMD’s inaugural upscaling algorithm utilizing machine learning. This represents a notable transition for AMD, as previous iterations of FSR relied on spatial upscaling methods instead of ML. By embracing machine learning, FSR 4 aspires to achieve:

– **Superior Image Quality**: ML-enhanced upscaling typically results in sharper and more intricate images compared to conventional techniques. This positions FSR 4 in direct competition with Nvidia’s DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) and Intel’s XeSS (Xe Super Sampling).

– **More Demanding Hardware Requirements**: While ML-based upscaling provides improved outcomes, it generally necessitates specialized hardware, such as dedicated AI cores. AMD has not yet indicated whether FSR 4 will be compatible with older Radeon GPUs or if it will be exclusive to RDNA 4.

Should FSR 4 match or surpass the caliber of DLSS, it could revolutionize AMD’s standing, particularly as upscaling technologies grow increasingly vital for achieving high frame rates at 4K and above.

## A Change in Naming and Market Positioning

With the RX 9000 series, AMD is embracing a new naming scheme that reflects Nvidia’s methodology. For instance, what would have been designated as the RX 9700 is now branded as the RX 9070. AMD states that this modification aims to simplify comparisons for consumers between Radeon GPUs and Nvidia’s GeForce products. However, the success of this approach is yet to be determined.

The RX 9070 XT and RX 9070 are being marketed as rivals to Nvidia’s RTX 4070 Ti and RTX 4070, respectively. AMD also intends to release RX 9060-series GPUs to compete against the RTX 4060 and 4060 Ti. Importantly, AMD has not disclosed any direct challengers to Nvidia’s high-end RTX 4080 and 4090 models or a successor to its flagship RX 7900 XTX. This indicates that AMD is primarily concentrating on the midrange and upper-midrange sectors for the moment, potentially leaving the high-end arena to Nvidia—at least for now.

## The Path Ahead: Challenges and Possibilities

AMD’s RDNA 4 architecture and FSR 4 constitute ambitious advancements; nonetheless, the company confronts several challenges as it attempts to lessen the gap with Nvidia:

1. **Ray Tracing Performance**: While AMD’s commitment to “significantly improved ray-tracing performance” is promising, the company must provide concrete outcomes to win over gamers. Nvidia enjoys a several-year lead in ray tracing, and its RTX 50

“AMD’s Latest Ryzen Z2 Processors Boost Gaming Handheld Efficiency, Featuring Premier Models at the Forefront”

### AMD Ryzen Z2 Series: A Revolutionary Leap for Handheld Gaming PCs

In the fast-paced realm of gaming technology, AMD has once again elevated the expectations with the unveiling of its Ryzen Z2 series processors. Building on the achievements of its earlier Ryzen Z1 series, this new collection promises improved performance and efficiency designed specifically for handheld gaming PCs. Launched at CES 2025, the Ryzen Z2 processors are ready to drive the upcoming generation of portable gaming devices, delivering a blend of state-of-the-art and rehashed technologies.

#### A Quick Retrospective: The Ryzen Z1 Heritage

Almost two years ago, AMD rolled out the Ryzen Z1 series, which brought premium laptop-grade silicon to handheld gaming PCs. These processors were tailored for devices such as the **Steam Deck** and **Asus ROG Ally**, providing impressive gaming capabilities in a compact form factor. The Z1 series set a new benchmark for handheld gaming, but AMD’s latest Ryzen Z2 series aims to expand those horizons even more.

#### The Ryzen Z2 Collection: Three Chips, Three Levels

The Ryzen Z2 series includes three unique processors, each crafted to meet various performance and budget demands. Here’s an overview of what each chip offers:

1. **Ryzen Z2 Extreme**
The crown jewel of the series, the Ryzen Z2 Extreme, is a bona fide powerhouse. Based on AMD’s “Strix Point” architecture, it boasts:
– **8 CPU cores**: A hybrid arrangement of three high-performance Zen 5 cores and five efficiency-oriented Zen 5C cores.
– **RDNA 3.5 GPU**: Featuring 16 compute units (CUs), providing a marked enhancement in graphical performance.
Compared to the Ryzen Z1 Extreme, which included Zen 4 cores and RDNA 3 GPU cores, the Z2 Extreme brings incremental enhancements in both CPU and GPU capabilities. This makes it a perfect choice for gamers pursuing top-notch performance in their handheld devices.

2. **Ryzen Z2**
Serving as a mid-range choice, the Ryzen Z2 is effectively a rebranded variant of the Ryzen Z1 Extreme. It maintains the same specs:
– **8 Zen 4 CPU cores** with a peak clock speed of 5.1 GHz.
– **RDNA 3 GPU** featuring 12 cores.
While it doesn’t bring any new technology to the table, the Ryzen Z2 offers a solid blend of performance and efficiency, making it a dependable option for most handheld gaming PCs.

3. **Ryzen Z2 Go**
At the low-end tier, the Ryzen Z2 Go is a more budget-conscious alternative. It features:
– **4 Zen 3+ CPU cores**.
– **RDNA 2 GPU** with 12 cores.
Utilizing AMD’s older “Rembrandt” architecture, the Z2 Go is a slightly tweaked version of the Ryzen 5 6600U from 2022. Although it doesn’t possess the advanced features of its counterparts, it still provides a significant upgrade over the original Ryzen Z1, which had only four RDNA 3 GPU cores.

#### Performance Projections: A Leap Ahead of Rivals

Despite the varying architecture choices within the Ryzen Z2 lineup, all three chips are anticipated to exceed the performance of the Steam Deck’s custom APU, which relies on four Zen 2 CPU cores and eight RDNA 2 GPU cores. The Z2 series also overcomes a critical limitation of the original Ryzen Z1 lineup by offering more robust GPU options throughout.

For gamers, this translates to smoother gameplay, higher frame rates, and improved support for contemporary titles, even on entry-level devices powered by the Ryzen Z2 Go. The Z2 Extreme, with its advanced Zen 5 and RDNA 3.5 technologies, is set to provide a premium experience that competes with high-end gaming laptops.

#### The Broader Vision: The Bright Future of Handheld Gaming

The Ryzen Z2 series arrives at a moment when handheld gaming PCs are gaining considerable momentum. Devices such as the Steam Deck and Asus ROG Ally have shown the need for portable gaming solutions that don’t skimp on performance. With the Ryzen Z2 lineup, AMD is reinforcing this trend, equipping manufacturers with the resources to create even more powerful and adaptable handhelds.

Furthermore, the possibilities for some of these devices to run **SteamOS**—Valve’s Linux-based gaming operating system—opens up thrilling opportunities for a more cohesive and user-friendly gaming experience. This could help tackle some of the complications associated with running Windows on handhelds, such as software compatibility and interface optimization.

#### Concluding Remarks: A Mixed Bag with Promising Prospects

While the Ryzen Z2 series brings notable advancements, it also underscores AMD’s ongoing strategy of rebranding older silicon for lower-tier offerings. This tactic may frustrate enthusiasts yearning for a consistent upgrade path.