AMD's Ryzen AI 9 HX 370: The New AI Powerhouse in Asus Zenbook S 16
Image Source: ASUS
This year has seen a surge in AI capabilities within laptop processors, and AMD's Ryzen AI 300 series is leading the charge. With its advanced neural processing unit (NPU) boasting 50 trillion operations per second (TOPS), it surpasses even Qualcomm's Snapdragon chips and prepares to challenge Intel's upcoming "Lunar Lake" processors. The new Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, seen in the Asus Zenbook S 16, represents AMD's most sophisticated consumer-grade silicon yet.
Image Source: AMD
Unveiling the AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series
Built from the ground up for AI tasks, the AMD Ryzen AI 300 series features a 4-nanometer process node, allowing for more transistors and enhanced speed and efficiency. This architectural overhaul includes dedicated hardware for general functions, graphics, and AI, making it the most advanced system on a chip (SoC) AMD has created. Detailed insights into these chips reveal a remarkable engineering feat.
'Zen 5' Cores: The CPU at the Heart
The Ryzen AI 9 HX 370's CPU benefits from AMD's latest "Zen 5" architecture, which doubles the instruction and data bandwidth, leading to a 16% boost in instructions per cycle compared to Zen 4. With 12 high-performance cores and the ability to handle 24 processing threads, this CPU is designed for multitasking and complex tasks. The 5.1GHz boost speed and 28-watt TDP make it a powerhouse for thin-and-light laptop designs.
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Enhanced Graphics with RDNA 3.5
The integrated Radeon 890M graphics with RDNA 3.5 architecture provide a significant boost in visual performance. With 16 compute units and better performance per watt, the graphics capabilities enable smooth visuals and higher frame rates, even supporting 1080p gaming at 60fps without additional discrete graphics hardware. Memory management improvements ensure efficient power usage and faster performance.
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Advanced AI with XDNA 2 NPU
At the core of the AI capabilities is the XDNA 2 NPU, which enhances the AI performance significantly. With 32 engine tiles and support for Block Floating Point 16 (BFP16), the NPU delivers better precision and power efficiency. This results in faster and smarter AI performance for tasks such as automatic image enhancement, system optimization, and generative art tools, all running efficiently on-device.
Introducing the Asus Zenbook S 16 (UM5606)
The Asus Zenbook S 16 (UM5606) showcases the new Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor. This ultra-slim, 16-inch laptop combines premium features like a 3K-resolution OLED touchscreen display, ceramic-bonded aluminum chassis, and a feature-filled touchpad. Priced at $1,699.99, this laptop is available for purchase, with shipping starting on July 29.
Image Source: ASUS
Benchmarking the Zenbook S 16
The Zenbook S 16 underwent rigorous testing to compare its performance with other leading processors. It excelled in CPU-specific tests, like PCMark 10 and HandBrake, demonstrating superior performance in productivity and media tasks. The AMD-powered laptop also performed well in graphics tests, supporting 1080p gaming and content creation without a dedicated GPU.
Image Source: pcmug
Measuring AI Performance
AI benchmarking is still evolving, but the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 showed impressive results in Geekbench ML tests. Its XDNA2 NPU outperformed competitors, demonstrating exceptional machine-learning capabilities. Although AI performance varies depending on the API, the Zenbook S 16's efficient AI task handling sets a new standard for on-device AI features.
Image Source: pcmug
AMD's AI Powerhouse
The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 in the Asus Zenbook S 16 is a formidable competitor in the AI laptop market. Its top-tier performance in productivity, graphics, and AI tasks underscores the potential of AI-integrated processors. While the landscape continues to evolve with upcoming Intel and Qualcomm releases, AMD's latest processor makes a compelling case for the future of AI laptops.
Source: pcmug
