Unveiling AMD’s 6-Core Krackan Point Chip with Innovative 3+3 Core Design

AMD’s forthcoming Krackan Point APU has made an intriguing appearance in the Geekbench AI benchmark, highlighting a curious 3+3 configuration. This new addition to AMD’s Zen 5-based lineup is set to cater to the budget segment, putting a spotlight on affordability without compromising on performance.

The “Ryzen AI 5” APU is a testament to AMD’s focus on mainstream consumers, as one of its chips has been tested, not on the typical Geekbench 6 for CPU performance but rather the specialized Geekbench AI test for the NPU. Despite being an early engineering sample, the benchmark results offer a glimpse into the capabilities of this processor, scoring 2019 in Single Precision, 1276 in Half Precision, and 3773 in Quantization.

An interesting aspect of this APU is its configuration. It is powered by a 6-core/12-thread setup, divided into two clusters. Each cluster contains 3 cores (3x Zen 5, 3x Zen 5c), though there’s no clarity on whether both clusters reside on the same CCD. This arrangement strikes an interesting parallel with AMD’s Ryzen 5 8500G, which consolidates all six cores within the same cluster.

Speculation suggests that this could be the 6-core Ryzen AI 5 340/330 APU, considered the entry-level model of the Krackan Point series. The lineup appears to build up to a mid-range offering with the 8-core Ryzen AI 7 350, distinguished by a different naming convention.

AMD’s Krackan Point is anticipated to hit the market by early 2025, aiming to enhance performance and extend battery life in next-gen consoles. While the Strix Point series has yet to secure a firm place in the realm of gaming handhelds, the potential for expansion remains on the horizon.

The Ryzen AI “HX” series promises to deliver impressive specifications across its range. From the high-end Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 with 12 cores and a maximum clock speed of 5.1 GHz to the speculated Ryzen AI 5 HX 330 boasting 6 cores, AMD reinforces its dedication to offering a diverse and powerful selection for various tech enthusiasts. The GPU power, combined with AI-focused capabilities, ensures that this series is poised to meet a wide array of consumer needs.