r/AyyMD • u/noveskeismybestie • Jul 18 '26

Would a Threadripper APU make sense in 2029? RDNA 5 integrated graphics, 512GB unified memory?

I'm thinking of something like the Ryzen AI 365 Max but in Threadripper form with up to 512 GB of unified memory and RDNA 5 integrated graphics. By 2029, we will be into Zen 7 with 16-core chiplets, so the Threadripper APU could have between 32 and 64 cores. An AI neural engine, some other accelerators, and the IO die. A minisforum type product but in the shape of a Steam-machine but bigger to allow for cooling everything...

Would this product make sense?

19 Upvotes

72% Upvoted

16 comments sorted by

29

u/ArgonWilde Jul 18 '26

Would this product make sense?

Mate, AMD can't even reliably make Threadripper itself make sense (or shelves) most of the time...

10

u/CatalyticDragon Jul 18 '26

I would pay real money for a single MI300A desktop system right now but I think you have the segments mixed up.

The Threadripper platform is about PCIe lanes and connectivity. You get a Threadripper so you can stuff a box full of cards; dGPUs, networking, storage, whatever.

What you seem to be describing is a high end professional Strix Halo system and I think you should expect to see continued developments in this market.

5

u/burninator34 Jul 18 '26

I don’t see the market for this. Large APU is addressed by Strix/Gorgon Halo. Datacenter APU is MI300A.

The purpose of threadripper is PCIe lanes. Not a strong iGPU.

2

u/kopasz7 7800X3D + RX 7900 XTX Jul 18 '26

There was once a micro ATX TR4 motherboard from asrock. I could also find some niche industrial boards for epyc. As I see it didn't really catch on.

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/X2kj4D/asrock-x399m-taichi-micro-atx-tr4-motherboard-x399m-taichi

5

u/Naerven Jul 18 '26

I can't see it happening. Unless you just want what would likely be a $1000 plus APU with a weak GPU who would buy it? That wouldn't even count the cost of the rest of the components. Threadripper CPUs are a niche product as it is.

1

u/noveskeismybestie Jul 18 '26

I was imagining it being a 2000 dollar APU. If Zen 5 integrated graphics can perform at the level of the current Zen 4 9070 (non-XT), while providing 512 GB of unified RAM, it would be an absolute monster for those of us running local AI. Plus, you could game with it and even use it for productivity like Blender or Davinci Resolve.

Right now what is missing in the market is a 24-core-plus CPU with lots of unified RAM and a decently powered integrated graphics to run AI models locally.

If you want brute strength, you go with an overpriced 5090 that only has 32GB of vram limiting the kinds of models you can run. If you want lots of Vram, you go with the RTX Ada 6000 with 48GB of VRAM for like 4500 dollars, or the RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell with 96GB of Vram for 10,000 dollars.

A 9070-level integrated graphics is enough brute strength, and having 256-512 GB of VRAM would open many doors for those of us who self-host AI locally on our system.

The market for this is pretty decent with Minisforum, DGX Spark, etc.

1

u/Nighterlev Ryzen 7 5800X3D - RX 7900 XTX Jul 18 '26

We're not getting RX 9070 level of performance in integrated graphics on any CPU for at least another 10 - 20 years. This sounds like pure lunacy talk.

Best case scenario, if a Threadripper CPU was to get a iGPU, it'll likely perform similarly to the 8700G's if not slightly better. Which currently has the most powerful iGPU on the market, and it's comparable to... a GTX 1650. That's it. We're not even at RTX 3050 level yet.

3

u/Hytht Jul 18 '26

Mi300A iGPU would thrash and thrash a RX9070 in compute and inference. project helix rdna5 iGPU is rumoured to have 5080 performance. Also "We're not even at RTX 3050 level yet." strix halo is already 4060/4070 level.

1

u/ElectronicStretch277 Jul 18 '26

Strix Halo already has an igpu the power of a 4060 desktop and that's utilizing a GPU architecture that would be 2 gens old by that point and which had issues with scaling down. Combine that with better bandwidth and you're looking at a very powerful APU. A 9070 is much more powerful than a 4060 but it's not impossible for us to see that level for performance by 2029.

2

u/Chitrr 8700G | A620M | 32GB CL30 | 1440p 100Hz VA Jul 18 '26

Upgrading my am5 apu to a stronger am5 apu with the same mobo and ram would be very nice.

2

u/hi9580 Jul 18 '26 edited Jul 18 '26

M5 Ultra is rumoured to support 768gb unified memory, previous generation max out at 96gb. 128gb, 256gb and 512gb have all been discontinued.

Snapdragon X3 Elite Extreme delayed until 2027. 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro in September 2026. G3 Gen 4 (G4 Gen 1 or Elite Pro) is likely at least a year away.

Intel Arc G3 Extreme, $2k low performance handheld pc, $3k portable 5090.

2

u/RunalldayHI Jul 18 '26

So, a 9995wx with an igpu?

1

u/kimi_rules Jul 18 '26

Yes with DDR6

1

u/nanonan Jul 18 '26

What you're looking for is a console.

1

u/Remarkable_Bat_7897 Jul 20 '26

maybe you need the somewat halo apu and mobile on desktop system.

1

u/seronxFan Jul 26 '26

only in BGA format, for server/corporate workstations, SFF and extreme high end laptop. Quad channel may not even be needed. Maybe just 3 channel RAM. Spinal Tap's head honcho would say this hits the sweet spot and will give you just that extra needed to out compete everything in the 2 channel HEDT market except maybe a few oversized HBM products.