AMD aims latest processors at AI whether you need it or not

Ryzen AI PRO 300 series leans heavily on Microsoft's Copilot+ PC requirements

AMD has introduced its latest processors designed for business applications. The line-up includes the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375, Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370, and Ryzen AI 7 HX PRO 360. Built on AMD's Zen 5 microarchitecture, the devices aim for high performance and advanced AI capabilities for enterprises.

At the top end is the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375, a 12-core, 24-thread processor with 24 MB of L3 cache and a turbo boost clock of up to 5.1 GHz. Meanwhile, the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 offers the same L3 cache and clock speeds but on eight cores and 16 threads. Ryzen AI 7 HX PRO 360, with six cores and 12 threads, features 16 MB of L3 cache and a maximum boost clock of 5.0 GHz.

These chips mirror the consumer-focused Ryzen AI 300 series but include AMD PRO security features for enterprise use. Their variable thermal design power (15-54 W) makes them suitable for a range of devices, from ultrathin notebooks to workstations.

A notable feature of the new series is the inclusion of a dedicated NPU boasting 55 tera operations per second (TOPS), allowing these processors to handle AI-driven tasks such as real-time language translation, automated video editing, and security. While this is AMD's first time incorporating an NPU in its PRO series, Intel's Meteor Lake has already introduced AI capabilities in its vPRO-enabled SKUs. However, AMD's offering does show that it's catching up fast.

AMD's focus on security is also significant, especially in these troubled infosec times. The Ryzen AI PRO 300 series includes "AI-enhanced" threat detection and local data processing that sidesteps the cloud. It's also pushing the security suite's hardware-based encryption and its remote manageability feature. The latter is essential if it's to be useful for IT departments managing large fleets of devices.

AMD is claiming the Ryzen AI PRO 300 series delivers up to 40 percent better productivity performance compared to Intel's Meteor Lake processors. However, it's important to note that Meteor Lake targets the sub-28 W segment and has yet to make a significant impact on the market. So, while AMD's 55 TOPS NPU and multi-threaded performance are impressive, the comparison may not provide the full picture.

More questions arise when AMD compares its top NPU performance to that of Apple's M4 and Intel's Meteor Lake, without acknowledging Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite, which boasts a 45 TOPS NPU. Although Qualcomm's chip isn't vPRO or PRO-enabled, it still qualifies for Microsoft's Copilot+ requirements and supports Microsoft's Pluton security.

AMD heavily promotes the Ryzen AI PRO 300 series as "Copilot+ ready," emphasizing its integration with Microsoft's AI-enhanced productivity tools. The promise is that features like real-time transcription and smart document analysis will significantly boost day-to-day productivity. However, it's unclear how many enterprises will prioritize AI-enhanced tools such as real-time translation and smart spreadsheets.

While AI has sucked all oxygen out of IT boardrooms, whether it will be the decisive factor for CFOs approving hardware budgets remains to be seen. The success of AMD's latest chips could depend as much on the adoption of Microsoft's AI tools as on the chips themselves.

In the AI-driven landscape, AMD's Ryzen AI PRO 300 series represents a calculated bet on the future of enterprise computing. These processors, with their powerful NPUs and robust security features, are designed to meet the growing demands of AI integration in business operations. However, much of their success will hinge on how quickly Microsoft's AI functionality rolls out and whether enterprises are ready to embrace it.

For now, AMD has positioned itself as a strong contender in the AI-driven enterprise market, but the long term impact of this bet is yet to be determined. ®