Apple Might Feature AMD Zen Custom SOC in Next-Gen MacBook Pro

The side by side generation of Apple MacBook Pro products are rumored to feature an AMD bit within them. Bits and Chips reports that due to tech stagnation in regards to Intel's mobility processors, Apple might spring send over to military camp AMD and utilise their latest Zen based processors to power off the MacBook Pro lineup.

Side by side-Generation Apple MacBook Pro Might Feature a Custom AMD Zen Scrap

For a long time, Apple MacBook Pro series has been featuring a mix of U and H series processors. Ordinarily, both tiers get their graphics updated with performance enhancements around the same time just with Kaby Lake, the high-performance models might be looking elsewhere for that actress horsepower.

The latest Intel mobility processor roadmap shows that after Skylake, Intel would exist shifting to a new CPU family known as Kaby Lake. This family will be available in several variants. However, MacBook Pro'south have relied on faster graphics operation and that doesn't seem to be the case in the upcoming generation of Intel processors.

Intel's 14nm Kaby Lake, Java Lake and 10nm Cannonlake CPU roadmap leaks out. (Image Credits: Anandtech Forums)

The U-series models in this family are going to exist available in Q1 2022 with GT3e graphics. The faster H-serial processors will rely on a slower GT2 graphics chip. This problem is with GT2 parts equally Apple has a major focus on graphics performance from Integrated GPUs. While 13" models of the MacBook Pro can utilize the U-series chips, the loftier-operation aimed, 15" models will not exist a major graphics update if Apple decides to become with new Kaby Lake or fifty-fifty the Coffee Lake parts available in mid 2022.

The only high-performance variant that Intel has in their H-series line is based on Skylake and has GT4e graphics. This model is fast but comes at a loftier cost. The GT3e graphics chips are merely offered in sub-45W variants with either Kaby Lake or Coffee Lake fries. It's possible that Intel could offer plenty GPU updates with Kaby Lake that it somewhat matches the GT3e tier level performance just there'due south another solution.

AMD's Custom Zen Based SOC Could Exist A Potential Candidate For Apple MacBook Pro

AMD is known to offer custom chips based on their latest Zen architecture in 2022. Apple could get that route if Intel is unable to meet their requirements in the graphics department. AMD can exploit this state of affairs and round up a custom Zen based SOC featuring their latest GCN cores and a couple of HBM (cache/system subsystem) for Apple.

Recently leaked details show AMD'due south next generation APU solutions with power equally low as 10W and base models with 35-45W TDP. That matches Intel'south H-serial processors in terms of power consumption and added graphics operation from the GCN cores sounds like a potential candidate for the latest MacBook Pro models.

Such a custom fleck could be a big win for AMD's custom-SOC division. By 2022, such a chip would exist very feasible to produce in terms of cost and volume as FinFET procedure would have matured plenty and HBM2 yields would be platonic to supply to mass market place.

Of form, we aren't setting this in rock as if Apple is indeed going to feature a AMD chip inside their next gen laptop solution. But the possibility of it happening is loftier given the latest Intel roadmap leak. Intel is known for changing roadmaps from time to time so we might just meet them slipping in a GT3 graphics chip under the H-series lineup. For more on Zen architecture, you can read an in-depth technical analysis over here.

Next Generation AMD CPUs And APUs

WCCFTech	AMD Summit Ridge	AMD Pinnacle Ridge	AMD Bristol Ridge	AMD Raven Ridge	AMD Grayness Hawk
Family Proper noun	Ryzen	TBD	AMD 7th Gen A-Series	Ryzen	TBD
Product Architecture	Zen	Zen Refresh / Zen 2	Excavator	Zen	Zen ii
Process Node	14nm	12nm	28nm	14nm	14nm
CPU Cores	Up to eight	Up to eight	Up to 4	Up to iv	Up to 4
GPU Architecture	N/A	North/A	Caribbean Islands	Vega	Navi
TDP	65W-95W	65W-95W	xv-65W	TBA	TBA
Socket	AM4	AM4	AM4	AM4	AM4
Memory Back up	DDR4	DDR4	DDR4	DDR4	DDR4
Launch	2017	2018	2016 (Mobile) 2022 (Desktop)	2017 (Mobile) 2022 (Desktop)	2019