AMD Strix Halo with 128GB memory set to compete with Apple M-Ultra?
Large memory capacity enabling new frontiers for powerful APUs.
The Strix Halo series, not yet confirmed by AMD, is rumored to launch with 16 Zen5 cores and up to 40 RDNA 3.5 Compute Units. This configuration is superior to the Strix Point mainstream APU, which is set to launch next month. However, the Halo targets an entirely different power category.
Shipping manifests indicate that AMD has recently begun testing a new reference platform for Strix Halo, which uses the FP11 socket. A platform equipped with this socket, called Maple Rev.B, supports 120W power for the APU and reportedly features support for 128GB of memory . This marks the first time AMD has tested such a high memory capacity with Halo, as previous tests only included 64GB and 32GB variants.
AMD Strix Halo with 128GB, 64GB and 32GB memory, Source: NBD
According to leaked documents, Strix Halo supports a 256-bit memory bus and LPDDR5-8000 memory . Unlike Apple’s M-Series Silicon, AMD’s APU does not have memory on the package, which will lead to larger board design requirements. The largest LPDDR5X modules are 128Gb (16GB) in capacity, meaning Strix Halo would require at least eight modules around the APU.
Such configurations are common among gaming laptop designs, which use 16GB GDDR6 memory (2GB per module). However, unlike Strix Halo, these designs separate the CPU and discrete GPU and still use system memory, which is either soldered to the motherboard or installed through modules. The Halo will not be as fast as NVIDIA’s RTX 4080/4090 Laptop GPUs in terms of gaming, but it will have a significantly smaller footprint and likely require less complex designs than RTX x050/060 class gaming laptops.
AMD Strix Halo mockups, Source: Chiphell & Olrak
The Halo package design would utilize two Zen 5 CCDs combined with a larger die primarily for graphics, memory controllers, and Infinity Cache. Various models are planned, featuring 6 to 16 Zen 5 cores and combining 16 to 40 RDNA 3.5 CU units. In terms of performance, the flagship Halo version could reach the level of an RTX 4070.
| AMD Strix Variants (Speculation) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VideoCardz.com | Cores Variants | GPU | GPU-Class | Memory (up to) | TDP |
Strix Halo | 16x Zen5 12x Zen5 8x Zen5 | 40x RDNA3.5 CU | RTX 4070 | 128GB LPDDR5x-8000 256-bit | ~120W (?) |
Strix Halo | 12x Zen5 8x Zen5 | 32x RDNA3.5 CU | RTX 4060 | LPDDR5x-8000 256-bit | ~70W (?) |
Strix Halo | 8x Zen5 6x Zen5 | 24x RDNA3.5 CU 32x RDNA3.5 CU (low freq) | RTX 4050 | LPDDR5x-8000 256-bit | ~55W (?) |
Strix Halo (LP) | 8x Zen5 6x Zen5 | 20x RDNA3.5 CUs | RTX 3050 Perf/W | LPDDR5x-8000 128-bit | ~45W (?) |
Strix Point | 12 (4x Zen5c, 8x Zen5) | 16x RDNA3.5 CU | TBC | LPDDR5x-7500 128-bit | ~28W (?) |
Source: NBD via Olrak