AMD's Next-Gen APUs: Leaked Release Date and Improved Graphics Performance

Gigabyte has sparked rumors about the next generation of AMD's top processors, potentially leaking the release date that AMD itself hasn't disclosed yet. The company is known for its credibility in such matters, making this leak significant. The much-anticipated Ryzen 8000G APUs are just around the corner, promising graphics power beyond anything seen in an integrated GPU thus far.

Based on the leaked information, the Ryzen 8000G Phoenix will feature the RDNA 3 architecture, boasting up to 12 RDNA 3 compute units (CUs) in the Ryzen 7 8700G. This matches the number of CUs in the underwhelming discrete GPU, the RX 6400. However, the integrated graphics in the new Ryzen 8000G APUs are expected to showcase improvements over the RX 6400.

Gigabyte, renowned for its high-quality motherboards, has released the latest AGESA beta BIOS for its X670, B650, and A620 motherboards. The announcement also hinted at the launch of the next-gen AM5 APU at the end of January 2024, providing a concrete time frame. An official confirmation from AMD is eagerly awaited to validate this information.

VideoCardz reports suggest that four new APUs will be unveiled, including models with eight and six cores, as well as budget chips featuring a combination of Zen 4 and Zen 4c cores. However, it remains to be seen how useful these APUs will be on the expensive AM5 platform.

Transitioning to the AM5 platform entails purchasing pricier motherboards and DDR5 RAM, adding to the overall cost. Even budget-friendly A620 motherboards can cost around $100, while 16GB of dual-channel DDR5 RAM starts at approximately $50. For users on a tight budget, it might make more sense to opt for a cheap discrete GPU, as most models are expected to outperform AMD's RDNA 3 APUs.

Nevertheless, for users seeking a balance between light gaming and longevity, upgrading to the AM5 platform could be a sensible choice. The Ryzen 8000G APUs are expected to deliver impressive graphics performance, although concrete benchmarks are still awaited as the rumored January 2024 release date approaches.