AMD Pushes Ryzen AI Forward, Takes Aim at DGX Spark

At CES 2026, AMD introduced its next generation of Ryzen AI processors, emphasising that better on-device AI performance doesn’t have to come with bigger machines or higher price tags. 

The new Ryzen AI 400 series is aimed at thin-and-light laptops and compact desktops; the expanded Ryzen AI Max lineup is built for more demanding, workstation-style AI workloads.

Ryzen AI 400 builds on CPU and graphics performance as AI workloads ramp up

Ryzen AI 400 builds on what AMD rolled out last year. The chips combine Zen 5 CPU cores, RDNA 3.5 graphics, and updated XDNA 2 NPUs, pushing AI performance up to 60 trillion operations per second. 

That’s up from 55 TOPS in the previous generation, along with small but noticeable gains in CPU and graphics performance.

“The PC is being redefined by AI, and AMD is leading that transformation,” said Jack Huynh, senior vice president and general manager, AMD Computing and Graphics Group. 

“Across consumer, commercial, and enthusiast systems, we’re delivering platforms that bring high-performance computing, leadership AI, immersive graphics, and a growing software ecosystem that empowers developers and creators, so intelligence is built in, performance and efficiency scale seamlessly, and innovation extends to every form factor.”

The goal here is to make AI feel like a built-in part of the PC experience. That means performance and efficiency that keep up as workloads get heavier (which is definitely already happening).

AMD says the Ryzen AI 400 processors are meant for people who want solid CPU, GPU, and AI performance without giving up battery life or portability. 

Systems built on the new chips are expected to start shipping from OEMs, including Dell, HP, and Lenovo, by March, and AMD also hinted that desktop versions are on the way later this year.

Why this matters  to MSPs and the wider chip market

AMD also lined up its chips against Intel’s latest mobile processors, saying its 28-watt Ryzen AI 9 HX 470 holds up better across everyday tasks like multitasking, content creation, and gaming, even when the system is running on battery power.

For MSPs, the real impact here is what becomes possible day to day. With stronger NPUs and GPUs baked into standard business laptops, more AI tasks, security tools, and Copilot-style features can run locally instead of constantly reaching back to the cloud.

Ryzen AI Max takes on heavier AI work for business use cases

The bigger change shows up in AMD’s expanded Ryzen AI Max lineup. This is where AMD is aiming at heavier AI work, packing enough performance into small systems to handle more demanding models locally instead of pushing everything to the cloud.

AMD also used Nvidia’s DGX Spark as a reference point, saying that Ryzen AI Max provides a more cost-effective way to get serious AI performance in a compact system. The idea is to deliver practical AI horsepower without having to move up to expensive, purpose-built hardware.

Just as importantly, AMD isn’t positioning Ryzen AI Max as an everyday PC. It’s intended for more demanding use cases, such as AI development and content creation. 

For MSPs, that distinction matters. Ryzen AI 400 raises the baseline for business devices, while Ryzen AI Max opens the door to compact AI systems that don’t feel like traditional servers.

This shift lines up with what many MSPs are already seeing play out across the channel. As AI becomes part of everyday work, there’s a growing demand for endpoints and compact systems that can handle real workloads locally. 

AMD’s Ryzen AI push fits neatly into that reality, giving partners more practical options as AI moves from experiment to expectation.