The year 2024 marked a critical period for AMD, manifesting in a series of noteworthy developments in different domains. This review encapsulates the dynamics that Team Red, as AMD is often referred to, maneuvered through in various segments, including CPUs, GPUs, AI contributions, and notable market trends.
CPU: A Tale of Two Stories
Vanilla Ryzen 9000 CPUs
In 2024, AMD faced a series of challenges, notably with the delayed launch of its much-anticipated Zen 5 CPUs under the Ryzen 9000 series. Initially set for a July release, these CPUs hit the market a month later in August, creating a rather inauspicious start. The actual performance of these chips failed to impress in the gaming sector, where users experienced only about a 5% uplift compared to AMD’s bold projection of a 10% increase. This disappointing performance led the community to dub it ‘Zen 5%’, a clear indication of unmet expectations.
Aftermath and Comparisons
Sales of the Ryzen 9700X and 9600X struggled, heavily impacted by the steep discounts on the Ryzen 7000 series that provided a more economical alternative for consumers. Despite the lackluster reception, AMD capitalized on Intel’s difficult year, which was plagued by stability issues in its 13th and 14th-gen processors. Moreover, Intel’s Core Ultra 200S (Arrow Lake) series also fell short of expectations, giving AMD a chance to recoup some standing amidst the competition. While not a complete victory, AMD’s fallback on prior models proved relatively effective in cushioning the blow from the poor performance of their newly launched CPUs.
The Redemption – Ryzen 9800X3D
A substantial turnaround came with the November release of the Ryzen 9800X3D, featuring 3D V-Cache technology. This particular CPU managed to redeem AMD’s earlier setbacks, quickly receiving accolades as the best gaming CPU release of the year. Despite minor stock shortages, the 9800X3D reestablished AMD’s reputation, delivering what the Ryzen 9000 series failed to achieve. With this launch, AMD not only addressed the gaming community’s needs but also reasserted its competitive edge in the overall CPU market, positioning itself well for future advancements.
GPU: Moments of Promise Amidst Disappointments
Encounters with Minimal Upgrades
AMD’s GPU journey in 2024 was marked by a blend of promising moments and significant disappointments. Early in the year, the release of the RX 7600 XT—a slightly upgraded version of the budget RX 7600—did not significantly advance its position in the market. This GPU struggled to present a compelling value, especially when compared to its Nvidia counterpart, the RTX 4060, which outshined the RX 7600 XT in various aspects. The lack of substantial upgrades left consumers yearning for more, and AMD’s lower-end series did not see the anticipated rollouts of the RX 7400 and RX 7300, further compounding the issue.
Anticipations Fading with RDNA 4 No-Show
Fans and industry experts harbored high expectations for the RDNA 4 series, speculating a potential late 2024 release. However, these hopes were dashed when AMD announced a delay, pushing the expected launch into early 2025. This delay left a notable gap in AMD’s GPU advancements for the year, undermining consumer confidence and leaving enthusiasts with fewer new options. The absence of RDNA 4 became a significant talking point, leading to discussions about AMD’s strategic focus and its implications for market dynamics.
Silver Lining – RX 7900 GRE
Amidst these GPU-sector setbacks, a positive highlight was the global release of the RX 7900 GRE in February 2024. Initially a China-exclusive GPU from mid-2023, the RX 7900 GRE’s global availability changed the narrative for AMD’s GPU lineup. It quickly rose to the top of recommendations for 4K gaming, redeeming AMD’s position and providing a much-needed uplift in the company’s GPU efforts for the year. The RX 7900 GRE reaffirmed AMD’s capability to deliver high-quality gaming solutions, despite the absence of the RDNA 4 series and other lower-end models.
Emergence in the AI Scene
Ryzen AI 300 for Copilot+ PCs
AMD’s foray into the AI scene in 2024 was prominently marked by the launch of its Ryzen AI 300 processors, referred to as Strix Point. Targeting laptops under Microsoft’s Copilot+ initiative, these processors began shipping in July. Exhibiting impressive AI capabilities, they presented formidable competition to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X and Intel’s Lunar Lake processors. The introduction of these powerful AI processors showcased AMD’s commitment to advancing laptop technology, placing it in direct competition with other leading tech firms in the AI-powered laptop sector.
Performance and Limitations
Despite initial limited availability, the Ryzen AI 300 processors managed to make a solid impression in terms of performance. They excelled not only in AI tasks but also in enhancing the overall functioning of laptops, including gaming capabilities. However, the competition remained stiff, particularly against Intel’s Lunar Lake processors, which stood as strong contenders in the market. The closely contested field for AI-powered laptops highlighted the competitive spirit and rapid advancements within the sector, demonstrating AMD’s strategy to keep up with and perhaps surpass its rivals.
Additional Noteworthy Events
FSR 3.1 Update
Among the slew of events, AMD made significant strides in its FidelityFX Super Resolution technology, advancing it to version 3.1. While still trailing behind Nvidia’s groundbreaking DLSS, the update hinted at future improvements possibly driven by AI implementations. Industry researchers speculated that subsequent versions could narrow the gap, broadening the scope of gaming visuals and performance.
Data Center Success
A prominent achievement in 2024 was AMD surpassing Intel in data center revenue, marking a significant milestone in the company’s diversification strategy. This success was reflective of AMD’s efforts to tap into lucrative segments beyond consumer-level hardware. The accomplishment underscored a growing recognition of AMD’s prowess in high-performance computing and data center solutions.
Layoffs and AI Focus
In 2024, AMD underwent significant restructuring, marked by considerable layoffs. This period of transition paralleled a noticeable pivot towards AI-centric solutions, which some industry analysts believe contributed to the delay of the RDNA 4 release. The strategic focus on AI was perceived as a move towards higher profit margins, signaling AMD’s long-term vision and adaptability in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.
Concluding Thoughts
The year 2024 was a pivotal time for AMD, showcasing significant advancements and changes across various areas. Commonly known as Team Red, AMD experienced noteworthy progress in several segments, including CPUs, GPUs, contributions to artificial intelligence, and observable market trends.
In the realm of CPUs, AMD made substantial strides with the release of its latest processors, which boasted improved performance and efficiency. These advancements helped AMD capture a larger share of the market, competing closely with other major companies in the industry.
The GPU segment also saw exciting developments, with AMD introducing new graphics cards that outperformed previous models. These GPUs provided gamers and professionals with enhanced capabilities, further solidifying AMD’s position in the graphics market.
AMD’s contributions to AI cannot be overlooked either. The company continued to innovate, developing new technologies and software that pushed the boundaries of what artificial intelligence could achieve. These contributions were vital in cementing AMD’s role as a leading player in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
Overall, 2024 was a year of remarkable achievements for AMD. The company’s dedication to innovation and excellence across CPUs, GPUs, and AI, along with its ability to adapt to market trends, ensured its continued success and growth in the tech industry.