AMD's Next Wave: Ryzen 7 9700X3D and Radeon-Packed AI MAX+ Processors Spotted

AMD's Processor Offensive: New Ryzen 7 9700X3D and AI MAX+ Chips Surface in PassMark

AMD continues its relentless assault on the processor market, with exciting new Ryzen chips recently spotted in the PassMark database. These upcoming processors, boasting enhanced 3D V-Cache technology for gamers and potent integrated graphics, hint at a formidable lineup for enthusiasts and professionals alike.

Ryzen 7 9700X3D: A New Contender for 3D V-Cache Supremacy

While AMD skipped the Ryzen 7 7700X3D in the previous generation, a legacy of performance was established with the Ryzen 7 5700X3D. This chip, though slightly lagging behind the 5800X3D, offered a significant gaming advantage over its non-X3D counterparts. The much-anticipated Ryzen 7 9700X3D, now appearing in preliminary leaks, seems poised to carry this torch forward. According to PassMark data, it could be the second 8-core processor to feature AMD's groundbreaking 3D V-Cache, likely operating at more conservative clock speeds compared to its presumed flagship sibling, the 9800X3D. Whispers also suggest a potential 9850X3D, further expanding the 8-core X3D family.

Initial benchmarks from a single PassMark entry for the 9700X3D paint a tantalizing, albeit preliminary, picture. With reported specifications of 8 cores, 16 threads, a 120W TDP, and a substantial 96MB of L3 cache, this chip appears to be a gamer's dream. Interestingly, the leaked benchmark shows it slightly outperforming the 9800X3D, a result that requires a healthy dose of skepticism. The reported boost clock of 5.79 GHz also raises an eyebrow, potentially indicating an overclocked sample or an anomaly in the data. Nevertheless, the mere presence of the 9700X3D ignites excitement for a new tier of affordable X3D performance.

Ryzen AI MAX+ 388 and 392: Integrated Radeon Powerhouses Emerge

Beyond the gaming-focused Ryzen 7 series, AMD is also refining its AI-accelerated processors. The existing Ryzen AI MAX 385 offers a respectable 8-core configuration and an RDNA 3.5 GPU with 32 compute units. However, the newly discovered Ryzen AI MAX+ 388 and 392 models promise a significant leap in integrated graphics capabilities, specifically featuring the full-fledged Radeon 8060S. This powerful onboard GPU boasts 40 compute units, mirroring AMD's strategy with its desktop Radeon graphics cards.

The PassMark listing for the AI MAX+ 388 suggests a configuration potentially similar to the 385 but with a more robust graphics engine. The inclusion of 24GB of memory further hints at its enhanced capabilities. The "+" in the MAX+ branding is strongly speculated to denote the integration of the complete Radeon 8060S. While these new chips may not match the raw computational prowess of a hypothetical MAX 390, their superior integrated graphics could make them compelling choices for devices where discrete GPUs are not feasible, such as high-performance gaming tablets. This strategic move aligns with industry trends, akin to Intel's approach with its Core Ultra 300 series, where "X" variants often feature unhindered graphical power. The surfacing of these chips in PassMark, a generally reliable source for impending retail products, suggests their imminent arrival on the market, barring any last-minute strategic shifts from AMD.