AMD’s Krackan Point APU, boasting a 6-core setup, has recently emerged on the Geekbench AI benchmark, showcasing an intriguing 3+3 layout.
AMD Krackan Point: Introducing the "Ryzen AI 5" APU
AMD is gearing up to release its Krackan Point series, another addition to the Zen 5 family aimed at general users but focusing on budget-friendly options. While we’ve discussed this lineup before, detailed specs of its models have remained under wraps until now.
Thanks to a leak on X (shared by @Olrak29_), we have fresh insights suggesting that one of the Krackan Point processors has gone through testing on the Geekbench platform. Interestingly, it wasn’t the standard Geekbench 6 CPU test but rather the Geekbench AI assessment, tailored for the Neural Processing Unit (NPU). The results were quite telling: the processors notched up 2019 points in Single Precision, 1276 in Half Precision, and 3773 in Quantization.
Image Source: Geekbench
Although these scores aren’t groundbreaking, it’s crucial to note that the chip tested was an early engineering sample. What captured our attention more were the specifics of this CPU. The System Information indicates it was part of an ASUS laptop, marked as AMD Engineering Sample: 100-000001600-40_Y. The setup reveals it to be a 6-core/12-thread processor featuring two clusters of cores.
Here’s where it gets interesting: each cluster contains 3 cores (3x Zen 5, 3x Zen 5c), though it’s unclear if these clusters reside on the same CCD. Theoretically, both scenarios are feasible. Reflecting on AMD’s Ryzen 5 8500G, which aligns all six cores on a single cluster in a 2+4 configuration (2x Zen 5 + 4x Zen 5c), the tested Krackan Point could possibly distribute its cores across dual CCDs. However, this remains conjecture, and there’s a chance all cores might be situated on one CCD.
Rumors suggest that this particular processor could be the 6-core Ryzen AI 5 340/330 APU, essentially the entry-level model in the Krackan Point lineup. Alongside it, the 8-core Ryzen AI 7 350 is also expected, positioned as the mid-tier model. It’s worth noting the unique naming for the Krackan Point series, differentiating it from the Strix Point CPUs, which use the Ryzen AI Pro nomenclature.
Looking ahead, AMD might launch the Krackan Point in early 2025, catering to cost-effective platforms. This could see these chips debuting as Ryzen Z2 Extreme in future gaming consoles, promising better performance and improved battery life over the Z1 Extreme. While Strix Point hasn’t gained much traction in the handheld gaming arena, a few devices might soon adopt Strix Point chips.
AMD Ryzen AI "HX" APUs Lineup:
Stay tuned for more details as these developments pave the way for exciting advancements in the AMD lineup, promising something for every gamer and tech enthusiast.
Source: Geekbench
