AMD's Ryzen AI MAX+ "Strix Halo" APUs have surfaced in Chinese markets in separate BGA packages, which is pretty weird to see, but they could be great for some experiments.
AMD's Ryzen AI MAX+ "Strix Halo" APUs Can Now Be Acquired Separately, But They Are Being Sold With a "Premium" Surcharge
Team Red's recent generation of mobile processors has managed to dominate the segment, not just because of their performance, but also because the adoption rates for these APUs have seen a massive rise. Now, it seems like you can get AMD's Strix Point APUs, notably the Ryzen AI 9 MAX+ 365, in separate packages. While they won't be very useful in their current state, pairing them up with a compatible motherboard could provide you with a working solution.
However, I am still curious about how these BGA packages actually end up in the retail segment, since the only way possible is if someone from the production lines manages to have a hold over the units, or through a third-party integrator looking to use these APUs in their products. There are multiple listings on the Chinese retail platform Goofish selling the Strix Point processors, with prices starting from 3998 RMB and going up to 4,449 RMB, around $550-$650.
AMD's Strix Halo APUs are primarily found in handhelds or mini-PCs, and we haven't seen them across other platforms, so this does open an opportunity to test these processors, perhaps in an intense OC environment? You'll likely need a compatible motherboard platform and some soldering skills to create something out of these APUs.
Interestingly, these BGA packages are being sold at a hefty price tag. For example, the ACEMAGIC F3A mini-PC with a 32GB/1TB configuration is going for around $800, while the APU here is alone being sold for $550, so the sellers are charging a premium just to bring you a separate package. We look forward to custom motherboards being sold in the retail channels with these APUs onboard, as this will make analyzing these processors much easier.
News Source: Videocardz
About the author: Muhammad Zuhair is a hardware and technology reporter for Wccftech, specializing in the semiconductor industry and the complex interplay between technology, manufacturing, and geopolitics. His coverage focuses on the corporate strategies and technological roadmaps of industry giants like TSMC, NVIDIA, Samsung, and Intel. Zuhair's expertise lies in deconstructing complex topics such as fabrication nodes (e.g., 2nm process), the economic impact of policies like the CHIPS Act, and the strategic development of AI infrastructure from NVIDIA, AMD and Intel.
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