The Consumer Electronic Show 2025 has started with a big bang and revealed multiple upcoming devices from smart rings to smart TVs, but we haven’t just been graced with full-blown gadgets. AMD’s CES 2025 announcements have also caused a stir, with the release of new AI chips that are designed to provide top-notch internal hardware for the next generation of gaming and work devices.
AMD’s CES news has spurred excitement for the upcoming Lenovo Legion Go handheld which is expected to feature the Ryzen Z2 chip. AMD had indicated that the Steam Deck would also arrive with the chip but Valve has adamantly denied the rumors. Valve designer Pierre-Loup Griffais took to Bluesky to state, “There is and will be no Z2 Steam Deck.”
What chipset it will feature instead remains undisclosed but we’re still excited about the AMD Ryzen Z2 specs and AI PCs coming this year.
Image: AMD
Everything You Need to Know about the AMD CES 2025 Announcements
There are two main areas of excitement with AMD’s CES 2025 announcements—AI and gaming. The company released a plethora of chips that are set to improve the gaming experience for consumers across platforms as well as provide support for AI PCs that will release this year. Let’s understand the upcoming chipset releases a little further.
AMD’s AI Chips Are Set to Transform What Tech Can Do with AI
At the heart of the AMD AI PC revolution is the new Ryzen AI Max chip lineup, designed to help PC makers do more and offer more. The formidable AMD Ryzen AI PRO processors are expected to arrive with upcoming Dell Pro devices, so there isn’t a long wait to see the chips in action. Similarly, Microsoft’s Copilot+ PCs have already turned towards integration of the new Ryzen AI 7 PRO 350 and Ryzen AI 5 PRO 340 processors, but it won’t be the only adopter for long.
There are three primary processor series in the AI chip lineup.
AMD Ryzen AI Max and Ryzen AI Max PRO Series Processors
Designed for next-gen AI PCs, the AI Max and AI Max PRO processors have been configured to guarantee high performance for gamers as well as AI users who need their computers to handle challenging workloads. These processors promise “workstation-level performance” that is supported by the dedicated NPU and memory support of up to 126 unified memory and 96 GB of graphics memory. All of this is combined into an ultra-portable form factor.
AMD Ryzen AI 300 and Ryzen AI 300 PRO Series Processors
Designed for everyday business productivity, these processors are more likely to be found on our everyday PCs. Like the AI Max chips, these chips are based on the “Zen-5” architecture but should be more suitable for a wider range of form factors and budgets.
AMD Ryzen 200 and Ryzen 200 PRO Series Processors
These processors are a lot less noteworthy with their “Zen 4” architecture but they will still allow PC makers to embrace AI on a budget. Systems powered by these processors are scheduled to release in Q2 2025, unlike the other two, which can be expected in Q1.
Image: AMD
AMD’s New Gamer-centric Chips Cannot Be Ignored Either
As mentioned earlier, AMD’s CES news doesn’t end with its support for AI PCs. The “AMD Ryzen 9950X3D and 9900X3D, AMD Ryzen Z2, and AMD Ryzen 9000 Mobile processors elevate gaming performance across desktop, handheld and mobile gaming systems,” and deserve to be mentioned as well.
“Gaming has become the one of the biggest forms of entertainment around the world, and with titles becoming more immersive and demanding, having the right hardware and software is critical for the best player experience.
Today’s announcements underscore our commitment to providing gamers everywhere the freedom to choose their own gaming experiences without being held back by performance bottlenecks.”
—Jack Huynh, senior vice president and general manager, Computing and Graphics Group, AMD
There are three categories of chips to keep our eyes on here as well.
Ryzen 9950X3D and 9900X3D Desktop Processors
Designed for the desktops of gamers and content creators, the processors promise higher clock speeds at lower temperatures, allowing for better performance compared to previous generations. The Ryzen 9950X3D features 16 “Zen 5” CPU cores and AMD RDNA 2 graphics.
Ryzen Z2 Series Handheld Gaming Processors
Handheld gaming consoles spark joy for us and millions of users worldwide, and the future of these consoles rests in AMD’s hands. With the AMD Ryzen Z2 Series processors featuring up to 8 “Zen 5” CPU cores and RDNA 3.5 architecture-powered graphics, users can look forward to ultra-responsive gaming experiences. The Z2 series features the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme, AMD Ryzen Z2, and the AMD Ryzen Z2 Go.
Ryzen 9000HX Series for Mobile Notebooks
Unwilling to leave mobile gaming behind, the AMD CES 2025 announcements also include the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D, the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX, and the AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX, for future gaming laptops. Claiming ownership of one of the “fastest mobile processors built for gamers and creators,” AMD is all set to power the future of gaming.
The AMD AI chips can expect to face stiff competition from the Nvidia GeForce RTX 50 Series chips, which were also unveiled at CES 2025, but we’ll have to see which company comes out on top.
