Two unreleased AMD processors have recently appeared in the PassMark database: the Ryzen AI MAX+ 388 and the Ryzen 7 9700X3D. Both are 8-core, 16-thread offerings targeting the highly-integrated APU platform and desktop gaming market, respectively, hinting at AMD’s finalization of its two-tier approach to the Zen 5 and Zen 6 architectures.

The Ryzen AI MAX+ 388 is a new addition to the Strix Halo SoC family, positioned between the 385 and 395 models. It features an 8-core, 16-thread design with integrated Radeon 8060S graphics and a full 40 RDNA 3.5 compute units. This matches the GPU size of the flagship 395, but the CPU cores are halved for a more balanced configuration. With 32MB of L3 and 8MB of L2 cache, the PassMark scores show a single-threaded performance of approximately 4145, and a multi-threaded score of 31702. While the test page doesn’t detail the clock rate or TDP, similar products indicate a power consumption between 45 and 120 watts, with typical platforms consuming around 55 watts.

The MAX+ 388 is closer to the high end of the graphics range than the 385 model, featuring 32 CU Radeon 8050S. This allows it to capably run mainstream AAA games at 1080p and provide a comprehensive GPU experience on thin and light notebooks or handheld devices. Its eight-core design leaves room for reasonable power consumption and heat dissipation while still delivering solid multi-threaded performance in productivity scenarios. Given AMD's modular chip architecture in the Strix Halo series, the 388 is likely designed for cost-sensitive or regional markets and could first appear in all-in-one PCs and high-performance mobile devices.

The Ryzen 7 9700X3D, also revealed in the database, signifies a continuation of the next generation of 3D V-Cache technology. It's another 8-core, 16-thread model labeled as Zen 6 architecture, boasting a nominal frequency of 5.8GHz, a multi-threaded score of 40,438, and a single-threaded score of 4,687. Given that the current 9800X3D peaks at 5.2GHz, and the upcoming 9850X3D is rumored to be around 5.6GHz, the 5.8GHz figure stands out as a potential instance of overclocking for performance testing.

Comparing PassMark data across several 8-core products reveals that the Ryzen 7 9700X3D slightly outperforms the 9800X3D by about 1% to 2%, significantly exceeding the standard 9700X's score of 37,139. While the Ryzen AI MAX+ 388 scores a bit lower than these desktop models, its integrated GPUs offer a clear advantage for portable platforms. If the final production model’s frequency and cache design align with the test samples, the 9700X3D is expected to be a pioneering member of the Zen 6 architecture in gaming performance.

From the data available, the Ryzen AI MAX+ 388 showcases AMD's horizontal scaling approach within the Strix Halo platform—reducing core counts while maintaining high-specification GPUs to cut costs while preserving full graphics capabilities. Meanwhile, the Ryzen 7 9700X3D demonstrates a continuation of 3D caching techniques on the desktop side, enhancing gaming performance through high-frequency and low-latency cache stacking. These processors cater to different use cases, with the MAX+ 388 focusing on integration efficiency and energy management, and the 9700X3D prioritizing single-threaded performance and gaming agility.

AMD has yet to officially announce the release date for these processors. Speculations suggest Strix Halo APUs will gradually encompass more platforms by mid-2025, while the Zen 6 architecture Ryzen X3D model is expected to debut in early 2026. Whether an integrated SoC or a high-cache desktop chip, both products indicate AMD's commitment to advancing AI computing and gaming performance, setting the stage for the next generation of mobile and desktop competition.