Recently, a new AMD Ryzen AI Max Pro 385 processor has appeared in the Geekbench database. This APU features 8 Zen 5 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 3.6 GHz and a maximum boost frequency of up to 5.0 GHz. The integrated graphics, based on the RDNA 3.5 architecture, is the Radeon 8050S, which has 8 compute units. This is slightly less powerful than the Radeon 8060S (12 compute units) found in the flagship Ryzen AI Max Pro 395. Geekbench 6 tests show that this processor scores approximately 2489 in single-core and 14136 in multi-core, demonstrating impressive computing power.
In terms of AI performance, the Ryzen AI Max Pro 385 is equipped with a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) that delivers up to 50 TOPS (Trillions of Operations Per Second) of computing power, with an overall AI performance exceeding 100 TOPS. Compared to high-end devices featuring the Ryzen AI Max Pro 395, the Pro 385 offers a more economical option.
Currently, the Ryzen AI Max Pro 385 has been spotted in the HP ZBook Ultra G1a 14-inch mobile workstation laptop. This device is positioned for the professional market, combining a thin and light design with powerful performance, making it suitable for demanding tasks like video editing and 3D modeling. Furthermore, the market anticipates the release of more mini PCs and laptops featuring this processor.
The Strix Halo series represents AMD’s high-end laptop lineup based on the Zen 5 architecture, with top configurations boasting up to 16 cores and 32 threads, coupled with powerful integrated graphics. However, the high price of the flagship models limits their widespread adoption. The introduction of the Ryzen AI Max Pro 385 fills this gap by offering users with a more limited budget near-flagship graphics performance and AI computing power, while maintaining reasonable power consumption and thermal performance.
In recent years, AMD has continuously optimized its APUs (Accelerated Processing Units). By integrating high-performance CPUs and GPUs, they can replace entry-level discrete graphics cards in certain scenarios, providing a competitive edge in thin and light laptops and mini PCs. Additionally, the improved power efficiency of the Zen 5 architecture ensures that the processor can maintain longer battery life under high loads, making it suitable for mobile office and creative work.
Compared to its competitors, the Ryzen AI Max Pro 385 stands out in its integrated graphics and AI performance. While Intel’s Core Ultra series still holds an advantage in CPU performance, it falls slightly short in integrated graphics and AI computing power. Apple’s M-series chips excel in power efficiency and ecosystem integration, but their price and expandability may be less flexible than AMD’s solutions. The emergence of the Ryzen AI Max Pro 385 further solidifies AMD’s competitiveness in the mid-to-high-end mobile market.
From an industry trend perspective, the widespread adoption of AI features is driving processor design towards multi-core architectures and efficient NPUs. The Ryzen AI Max Pro 385’s 50 TOPS NPU performance enables it to support real-time video processing, voice recognition, and generative AI applications, aligning with the growing demand for content creation and enterprise-level applications. Simultaneously, the improved gaming performance at resolutions below 1080p caters to casual gamers and light gaming users, making it a versatile processor.
With the powerful performance of its Zen 5 architecture, the graphics capabilities of its RDNA 3.5 integrated graphics, and efficient AI computing power, the AMD Ryzen AI Max Pro 385 injects new vitality into the mid-range market. It not only meets the demands of professional users for computing and graphics performance but also provides a cost-effective option for general consumers.