AMD Ryzen 5 2400G review

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Meet The Ryzen G Processor Series

The Ryzen Processor Family

AMD made the rather sensible decision to re-name Zen to something similar sounding. Yes, the Zen thus Summit Ridge product series has officially been named 'AMD Ryzen', kind of extrapolated from 'risen' we guess. The two models released today are the AMD Ryzen 3 2200G and AMD Ryzen 5 2400G. If you compare the Ryzen 5 2400G towards a Ryzen 5 1400, you'll notice both are priced the same, but the Ryzen 5 2400G is an APU, with a faster base and turbo clock frequency. 


Overview


APU

So what is the difference between a processor and an APU some might wonder? An APU is a processor series with integrated graphics (in the processor die), an idea much like what Intel did with originally. APU is an abbreviation for Accelerated Processing Unit. Back in 2005, when AMD bought ATI, rumors immediately popped up about the technology you see these days. Earlier in 2011, you may have noticed the introduction of APUs like the E350 (Zacate and Ontario chips). The Llano and later Kaveri series were intended to address the entry-level to mid-range segment of both the notebook, but also desktop market, which is where it all really started to get more serious. For AMD things really changed after Kaveri, as it is no longer a CPU and GPU separated on the ASIC die, no it is a true hybrid convergence of the two units. I'd almost state that both the CPU and GPU functions as co-processors, embedded with each other sharing the very same data pool making it a very efficient product. A trend that is now advancing with Raven Ridge. So yes, we can now add to that Desktop platform, Raven Ridge, the 'G' series APUs. A processor series with Radeon Vega architecture graphics integrated into the APU die. We look at the Series 3 and 5 model G processors, let us peek at the specifications below to see what they are pitted against.


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RyzenCores / 
Threads
CPU clock / 
turbo
L2 
cache
L3 
cache
IgpshadersMax. GPU clockMemCTDPTDPprice
Ryzen 5 2400G 4/8 3.6 / 3.9 GHz 2 MB 4 MB Vega11 704 1,250 MHz DDR4-2933 45-65 W 65 W $ 169
Ryzen 3 2200G 4/4 3.5 / 3.7 GHz 2 MB 4 MB Vega8 512 1,100 MHz DDR4-2933 45-65 W 65 W $ 99

You have seen the reviews, compared to Intel Core i5 and i7 the Ryzen processors are threaded beasts and pretty darn fast alright. Ryzen launched with three primary 8-core models (initially), followed by six and four-core SMT models. These range segmentations are of course comparable to Core i3, i5, and i7 for the Intel product lines and segments. Let me reiterate and make clear that ALL Ryzen processors are unlocked, that entails all Ryzen 3, 5 and 7 processors, but also all APUs. The motherboards need a chipset that is unlocked as well though, but the B350 (mainstream) and X370 (high-end) series are covering all of that, for the new G models, you will require a firmware update only. The new Ryzen 3 and 5 G series processors are 65W parts. Under the hood, this Raven Ridge APU is sharing that Ryzen processor design slash Summit Ridge design elements, yes. The processors follow that very same architecture parts (physically), which promises a thing or two in the future APU wise. This is, however, a true quad-core part, just one CCX (with four cores) is present, set up as a 4+0 fashion.


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Waddup G?

Radeon Graphics is what that is all about, based on Vega architecture:

  • AMD Ryzen 3 2200G with Radeon Vega 8 graphics
  • AMD Ryzen 5 2400G with Radeon Vega 11 graphics.

You might have noticed that both APUs have an extension in their name, Vega 8 and 11 graphics. This refers to Radeon graphics, and more specifically the shader processors. Each shader cluster holds 64 shaders, multiply that by 8 and 11 and yes, that's your shader count, always indicative of performance to some degree. This means that AMD Ryzen 3 2200G has a GPU with 512 shader processors and that Ryzen 5 2400G has got 704 of them. We can already tell you that's really significant, compared to what Intel is doing on say the 8600/8700 it could be easily 2 to 3 x the performance in gaming. AMD will make use of system memory (DDR4) for the framebuffer. This is also one of the reasons why AMD quickly bumped up their memory compatibility rating to a default of 2933 MHz as faster most certainly is better here. It's not just that, being Vega, the driver suite applies towards the APU as well, including the new Adrenalin suite with all it's capturing and overlay features, game support. But also things like Enhanced sync as well as free sync and more rudimentary, advanced video de- and encoding capabilities including even HEVC 10bpc up-to 60 FPs decodes in ultra HD and 51 FPS encodes.


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One thing different from regular Ryzen is XFR, this G series does not have it. As you know, XFR allows it to clock a little higher over the maximum boost frequency if certain registers and variables like power load and temperature allow it. This is not active for the new APUs, the peak CPU clock is listed for each APU is the max boost clock the CPU can hit (so there is no extra boost beyond that available) unless you overclock manually of course. With Raven Ridge, AMD places a lot of focus on the entry-level gaming, multi-media experience and compute side of things, thus the GPU. There's a heck of a lot more to be found inside the APU though, a DDR4 memory controller, proper Video Decoder core logic, a Northbridge, and a PCI Express interface with 8 lanes Gen 3.0 available for graphics. Are there any other differences? Well, there are cost-reducing changes to packaging and assembly, including a revised CPU package and a transition to a traditional nonmetallic TIM for the 2400G and 2200G. These changes further improve the price competitiveness of the Ryzen 2000G Series products in a highly competitive midrange market.

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