Recently, Gigabyte updated the memory support list for its B650M motherboards, and the name Ryzen 9000G prominently appeared. This new AMD APU, codenamed “Gorgon Point,” is based on the Zen 5 architecture and RDNA 3.5 integrated graphics, making it the successor to the previous 8000G series.
The Ryzen 9000G series APUs are built on the Gorgon Point silicon, which is considered an optimized version of Strix Point. As many are aware, Strix Point is the core architecture for AMD’s Ryzen AI 300 series processors, targeting high-performance laptops. Gorgon Point inherits Strix Point’s hybrid core design, with the highest configuration featuring up to 12 cores (4 Zen 5 performance cores + 8 Zen 5C efficient cores), supporting 24 threads, and paired with an integrated GPU boasting 16 RDNA 3.5 Compute Units (CUs). Compared to the Hawk Point and Phoenix architectures used in the previous Ryzen 8000G series, the Ryzen 9000G offers improvements in core count, graphics performance, and manufacturing process. The Zen 5 architecture delivers an approximate 16% IPC (instructions per clock) uplift, while the RDNA 3.5 graphics architecture provides higher power efficiency and rendering efficiency compared to RDNA 3, making it suitable for light gaming and content creation.
Compared to traditional desktop CPUs, the Ryzen 9000G series APUs’ unique advantage lies in their powerful integrated graphics. Thanks to a monolithic design and high power delivery on the desktop platform, Ryzen 9000G can fully unleash both CPU and GPU performance, avoiding the common performance bottlenecks seen in mobile platforms. Furthermore, the desktop platform supports memory overclocking and iGPU overclocking, which can boost gaming frame rates and graphics processing capabilities.
The Ryzen 9000G series will also integrate an XDNA 2 Neural Processing Unit (NPU), offering up to 50-55 TOPS of AI computing performance, a significant improvement over the previous XDNA architecture. This feature positions it as one of the first desktop APUs to support Microsoft Copilot+ certification, providing hardware acceleration for AI-driven applications such as real-time speech transcription, image generation, and machine learning inference. As AI technology becomes more prevalent on desktops, the Ryzen 9000G’s NPU will offer users a more efficient localized AI experience, reducing reliance on cloud computing.
In terms of compatibility, the Ryzen 9000G will continue to use the AM5 socket, making it compatible with existing 600 series and upcoming 800 series motherboards, requiring only a BIOS update for support. This design continues AMD’s strategy of long-term support for the AM5 platform, providing users with a flexible upgrade path. It’s worth noting that the Ryzen 9000G’s PCIe lane count may still be 16 PCIe 4.0 lanes, which is lower than the 24 PCIe 5.0 lanes of Granite Ridge (Ryzen 9000 series CPUs). This might limit its performance with high-bandwidth expansion devices, but it will have little impact on users relying on integrated graphics.
AMD may also introduce lower-end models based on Kraken Point silicon within the Ryzen 9000G series to cover the mid-to-low-end market. Kraken Point is a streamlined version of Strix Point, with fewer cores and GPU compute units, suitable for entry-level desktops or thin and light laptops. Concurrently, the high-end models might introduce a “Ryzen 9” level APU for the first time, filling the gap in the G series’ high-performance market. Compared to the previous Ryzen 8000G’s maximum 8-core configuration, the Ryzen 9000G’s 12-core design will improve multi-tasking capabilities.
The market expects the Ryzen 9000G series to be officially released in the fourth quarter of 2025. Meanwhile, AMD also plans to launch the Zen 6-based Medusa Point APU in 2026. As the final product based on the Zen 5 architecture, the Ryzen 9000G will provide excellent performance and future compatibility for transitional users.
For tech enthusiasts, the highlights of the Ryzen 9000G series are its versatility and high cost-effectiveness. Whether building a compact gaming PC, a home media center, or an AI workstation, the Ryzen 9000G can deliver balanced performance. Its combination of integrated graphics and AI computing capabilities not only meets the current demand for lightweight computing devices but also lays the foundation for a future AI-driven desktop ecosystem.