Gigabyte Suggests AMD's Ryzen 9000G APUs Will Work with Current AM5 Motherboards

Gigabyte has hinted that AMD's next-generation Ryzen 9000G series APUs will fit into current-generation motherboards, specifically those in the AM5 socket. According to VideoCardz, one of Gigabyte’s B650 (AM5) motherboards already lists support for these unreleased processors, suggesting that with a necessary BIOS update, the 600 and 800 series motherboards will be compatible. However, official confirmation from AMD is still pending, so this remains a tentative indication. The Ryzen 9000G processors were first mentioned in late March, with early leakers suggesting they would use Gorgon Point silicon. They are set to replace the current Ryzen 8000G lineup, which was introduced in January 2024 and is built on Phoenix silicon. The Gorgon Point silicon is rumored to be a refresh of Strix Point (Ryzen AI 300), offering modest performance improvements across various benchmarks. Further evidence of the Ryzen 9000G APUs’ compatibility with existing AM5 motherboards comes from Gigabyte’s unintentional publication of a list of supported memory modules on its B650M GAMING WIFI6E motherboard. This aligns with earlier leaks and reinforces the notion that these processors will work with current motherboards. Expected specifications for the Ryzen 9000G APUs include up to 12 hybrid cores (with 4 performance cores using Zen 5 architecture and 8 efficiency cores using Zen 5c) and 24 threads. The graphics engine will boast 16 Compute Units based on RDNA 3.5, and an XDNA 2-based Neural Processing Unit (NPU) capable of delivering between 50-55 tera operations per second (TOPS) of AI performance. This capability might make them suitable for powering the first desktop Copilot+ PCs, if that feature is significant to consumers. The Gorgon Point silicon reportedly comes in several configurations—Gorgon Point 1, 2, and 3—each varying slightly in performance and features. Some of these configurations may find their way into lower-tier models under the Krackan Point designation. The primary difference between these variants lies in their core designs and performance levels, though they share many features. Unlike the distinct differences between Phoenix1 and Phoenix2 (the latter lacking an NPU), it remains unclear whether AMD will produce Krackan Point silicon with no NPUs or adopt a monolithic core design for cost savings. While these details are promising, it’s important to note that none of this information has been officially verified by AMD. Leaks suggest that the Ryzen 9000G APUs are slated for a Q4 2025 release, which means tech enthusiasts will have to wait a few more months for concrete details and benchmarks. To stay updated on the latest developments in the tech world, follow Tom's Hardware on Google News. This will ensure you receive up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews directly in your feeds. Remember to click the "Follow" button.