AMD expands Ryzen AI Max for serious handheld gaming
AMD used CES 2026 to quietly grow its Ryzen AI Max APU lineup, rather than unveil an all new consumer CPU family. While that might sound underwhelming, one of these new chips looks like a perfect match for top tier handheld gaming PCs.
The Ryzen AI Max series, also known by the codename Strix Halo, was already interesting thanks to its mix of strong Zen 5 CPU cores and a surprisingly powerful integrated GPU. Until now, the flagship gaming option was the pricey Ryzen AI Max+ 395. With the arrival of the Ryzen AI Max+ 392 and Max+ 388, there is now a new sweet spot for gamers who want maximum performance without the dual chiplet quirks.
The star of the show is the Ryzen AI Max+ 388 which offers a focused design that can make handheld gaming smoother and more consistent.
What makes Strix Halo special for gaming
Ryzen AI Max APUs are built differently from regular mobile CPUs. Instead of pairing a slim integrated GPU with the CPU, AMD has gone all in on graphics and memory bandwidth.
Each chip combines:
- One or two core chiplets for the CPU side, using Zen 5 cores
- A large input output chiplet that houses the GPU and memory controllers
The integrated GPU is the real highlight. It offers:
- Up to 40 RDNA 3.5 compute units, equal to 2560 shaders
- 64 MB of shared Level 3 cache
- A 256 bit wide unified memory bus
In other words, this is not your usual low power integrated GPU. It is built to rival entry level dedicated graphics in a laptop or handheld. All Strix Halo chips share some important specs too, including a maximum TDP of 120 watts and support for up to 128 GB of unified memory. Device makers can tune these chips lower or higher depending on cooling and battery capacity. For example, the GPD Win 5 handheld is configured up to around 80 watts and can be ordered with 32, 64, or 128 GB of RAM.
That combination of a wide memory bus, large cache, and many RDNA 3.5 compute units positions Ryzen AI Max as one of the best options for gaming without a dedicated GPU.
Ryzen AI Max+ 388: the new handheld gaming sweet spot
The big change at CES 2026 is the arrival of two new chips: the Ryzen AI Max+ 392 and Max+ 388.
- Ryzen AI Max+ 392: two core chiplets with 12 cores and 24 threads
- Ryzen AI Max+ 388: a single core chiplet with 8 cores and 16 threads
Both of these chips finally get the full 40 compute unit GPU that used to be reserved for the top Ryzen AI Max+ 395 model. That means the more affordable models can now deliver the same raw GPU horsepower while differing mainly in CPU core count and layout.
The layout matters because some games still do not behave nicely on dual chiplet CPUs. On chips with two core chiplets, the operating system can spread a game’s threads across both CCDs which sometimes leads to uneven frame times and stuttering. Enthusiast users can fix this by forcing a game to one chiplet using third party tools, but that is extra hassle that not everyone wants.
The Ryzen AI Max+ 388 neatly sidesteps this problem. It keeps the full 40 compute unit GPU but uses only a single CCD with 8 cores and 16 threads. That is plenty of CPU power for gaming while avoiding cross chiplet issues.
Compared to the older Ryzen AI Max 385, which also used a single CCD but only had 32 GPU compute units, the 388 bumps shader count by 25 percent. For a handheld like the GPD Win 5, that is a straightforward performance win. The current Win 5 configurations offer the Max 385 or the Max+ 395, but it would make a lot of sense for GPD and similar vendors to add the 388 as the prime gaming option.
The CPU boost clock on the 388 is marginally lower than the 395, at 5.0 GHz versus 5.1 GHz, but in real gameplay that tiny difference will be almost impossible to feel. The extra simplicity of a single chiplet design is far more important for consistent gaming performance.
Ryzen AI 400 vs Ryzen AI Max: where each fits
Alongside Strix Halo updates, AMD also launched the Ryzen AI 400 series of APUs. The branding might suggest a whole new architecture, but these chips are essentially refreshed Ryzen AI 300 series parts, also known as Strix Point, with minor clock increases.
They are still very capable processors, especially for thin and light laptops and more modest portable PCs. Their main strengths are:
- Lower power consumption which helps with battery life
- Solid Zen 5 CPU performance for general use and light gaming
However, their integrated GPUs are much smaller. The Ryzen AI 400 series tops out at 16 RDNA 3.5 compute units and uses a memory bus that is only half as wide as Strix Halo. That makes the GPU and memory bandwidth the primary bottlenecks in demanding games.
For players who are happy to lower settings and sacrifices some visual detail, the Ryzen AI 400 family is fine. But if you want a handheld that can push higher settings and maintain strong frame rates across a wider range of titles, Strix Halo and especially the Ryzen AI Max+ 388 stand out as the better fit.
At CES, AMD chose to focus its marketing heavily on AI capabilities rather than pure gaming. Even so, the underlying hardware story is clear. With Strix Halo, AMD currently offers the strongest integrated graphics solution for gaming laptops and handhelds that do not use a dedicated GPU. The new Max+ 388 model in particular hits a very attractive balance of core count, GPU power, and simplicity.
The remaining open question is how Intel’s upcoming Panther Lake based Core Ultra 300 processors will compare when they arrive. For now, though, if you are eyeing a high end handheld gaming PC in the near future, a configuration with Ryzen AI Max and especially the single chiplet Max+ 388 should be high on your watch list.
Original article and image: https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/processors/the-amd-ryzen-ai-max-range-gets-two-more-entries-one-of-which-looks-perfect-for-the-ultimate-in-handheld-pc-gaming/
