What can we Figure Out?
The newly announced AMD Ryzen 4000 series (codename Renoir) desktop APUs, in an alleged AMD PowerPoint slide (via @momomo_us) and CompSource, a U.S.-based retailer, is showing the price points for it. Although the slide looks genuine, we should always approach the knowledge with caution, because the source of the slide is questionable.
It’s funny how bad news often accompanies excellent news. PC builders and AMD fans are expecting AMD to unveil Renoir for the desktop for weeks. But sadly for enthusiasts, AMD revealed its Zen 2 APUs as OEM-only. AMD pledges to bring other APUs for DIY users at unspecified date and time.
So, technically, you cannot just attend your favourite hardware store or online retailer to select up a Ryzen 4000-series APU. But like with other OEM-exclusive chips, if you think that outside the box there are likely other ways to secure one.
Pricing can Still Vary
The table from the slide that is leaked pictured above seemingly shows suggested pricing for the Ryzen 4000-series APUs, so final pricing would generally vary. The G and GE-series reportedly share identical MSRPs. As a fast recap, the primary features a 65W TDP (thermal design power), while the latter runs within a 35W envelope.
Therefore, the GE variants accompany lower clock speeds compared to their G-series counterparts. During a scenario where cooling and power aren’t deciding factors, the G-series may be a better pick, since it delivers better performance at an equivalent price.
With and without the Wraith Stealth CPU cooler, CompSource lists the G-series parts. It isn’t weird for the APUs to return without a cooler since they’re aimed toward OEMs that are likely to use their own proprietary or an aftermarket cooler with the chips. As per CompSource’s listings, the worth difference between including and not including the cooler is a smaller amount than $2.
What are the Expected Pricing?
According to the slide, the purposed MSRPs for the Ryzen 7 Pro 4750G, Ryzen 5 Pro 4650G, and Ryzen 3 Pro 4350G are $309, $209, and $149, respectively. CompSource’s prices are up to 18% higher, so may vary.
It’s evident that the AMD Ryzen 4000 series CPUs’ specifications and MSRP are very on the contrary of their Ryzen 3000-series (codename Matisse) equivalent. Besides the very fact that the OEM market is larger than the DIY market, consistent with AMD, we also suspect that AMD didn’t bring desktop Renoir to the market, thanks to the fear of cannibalization within its own ranks.
If we specialise in the clock speeds, the Zen 2 APUs are only a hair behind the mainstream chips. With some overclocking, Renoir could easily surpass Matisse in gaming, like an act of magician with no suspicion.
That’s to not mention that Renoir is cheaper — that’s if we pass the MSRP values within the table — since the Ryzen 3000-series chips are selling for tons less than their debut price.
It seems like a nasty dream that Zen 2 APUs have finally landed, but are out of reach for budget DIY lovers. Once more, we’re back to the scheme and hope AMD unleashes a subsequent wave of APUs to the overall public sooner instead of later.