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[longdi]

Laptop only, needing additional components, thermals and always on software with 2ms processing time

Q: How would you rate the efficiency of the Renoir Zen 2 package vs the normal desktop counterparts?

A: Our mobile designs are optimized with different thermal levels required for laptop designs which are commonly 15, 35 and 45 watts along with additional system-level optimizations that have resulted in our most efficient processors yet. Desktop processors have more thermal headroom to work within typically 65 and 95 watts if not higher so we get to turn everything up to 11 on those which can be a lot of fun.

Q: How much of a difference (in broad terms) does smart shift make to the performance and power efficiency of Renoir?

A: Our SmartShift technology allows users to harness the combined power of our Ryzen 4000 Mobile Processors, Radeon Graphics, and the latest AMD Radeon Software Adrenalin 2020 edition together to deliver an improved computing experience. With SmartShift we can automatically shift power between the Ryzen processor and Radeon graphics as needed enabling the CPU to perform faster during CPU intensive workloads and inversely the graphics chip during graphics intensive workloads. We do this seamlessly to the operating system and via the Infinity Fabric architecture in real-time and within 2ms of whatever the workload demands. As for how much of a difference it makes, we have seen up to a 14 percent performance increase with AMD SmartShift but it varies from app to app/game to game.

Q: Is SmartShift 100% automated or can its bias (towards CPU/GPU) be user-defined?

A: It is automated and can’t be turned-off but you can see it in action within our Adrenalin software. In there you can see it in real-time shifting power and performance between the CPU and graphics processor.

Q: I know the current implementation of SmartShift requires a singular power source (and package?) for both the CPU and GPU but are there any plans to bring SmartShift to desktop platforms or is this a mobile-only solution? I.e. could users expect the future Renoir Desktop APU series to utilize some sort of smart shift?

A: I can’t comment on what may or may not be in our future roadmap, however, we are actively working with OEM partners on helping them improve their gaming systems and experiences. SmartShift, as you know it today, is just the first of a bunch of awesome technologies only possible with the combination of an AMD CPU, AMD GPU and our AMD software that we have in the works and that will advance the PC gaming experience significantly in the coming years. Implementing SmartShift requires a small set of additional requirements that we work hand in hand with our partners to enable including the right components, firmware design, and thermal designs.

Q: The SmartShift on the PS5 can help boost the GPU all the way up to 2.23 GHz, is this a behavior gamers can expect from laptop implementations as well?

A: In line with the previous question above, we have seen up to a 14 percent performance increase with AMD SmartShift on the Dell G5 SE 15. Any additional PlayStation 5 questions should be directed toward Sony.

Q: What is your favorite feature of Renoir?

A: The battery life and performance are just incredible. I’ve strived my entire career to bring desktop performance into a portable/mobile computer like a laptop and The Ryzen 4000 series mobile processors have made it possible in form factors that are practical to carry around with you all-day.I

Q: What is your favorite feature/use-case for SmartShift in laptops?

A: SmartShift is like a free upgrade for your CPU and Graphics card to the next higher tier. You get a performance boost on CPU and graphics intensive workloads where it would cost you significant amount of dollars more to equip that performance uplift individually. This is only possible because the AMD Advantage in that we are the only PC technology provider that has the complete high-performance ecosystem across CPUs, GPUs and software. How awesome is that? It’s been a long time since we’ve seen cross-component innovation like that for consumers and gamers outside of console architectures. This is disruptive stuff and it’s only the beginning of what’s possible.

Q: Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

A: AMD has a history of innovating in mobile computing; from introducing the first APUs, integrating CPU and GPU, in 2011 to launching the first x86 7nm mobile SoC this year. 2020 is an important year for us with our launch of the Ryzen 4000 Series Mobile processors and now with the Dell G5 15 SE being the first to have the Radeon RX 5600M integrated with SmartShift. This will be the fastest laptop featuring the RDNA architecture when it becomes available and will be offered at a disruptively compelling price point. We have never had such a solid selection of strong laptop solutions like we have today and I think people are going to be very excited to see so many compelling options coming to market for them to choose from..

Frank's coined term of 'AMD Advantage' is something that we have already begun to witness to a large extent. AMD has presence in pretty much all parts of the ecosystem; from CPUs to GPUs to APUs. When all of the products in a consumer device are designed by AMD, they can create some wonderful synergy that would normally not be possible between chips of different IHVs. This is something that as of this moment, neither Intel nor NVIDIA can reproduce - although that might change a couple of years later when Intel has its GPU side up and running.

Marrying Frank's industry expertise with AMD's technical skills seems to be a recipe for success and all in all, this was a wonderful chat. We wish him the very best of luck at AMD.

Interview: AMD's Chief Architect Of Gaming 'Frank Azor' On Ryzen 4000 Series Mobility CPUs, Smart Shift And The 'AMD Advantage'

Frank Azor, AMD's Chief Architect of Gaming talks about the AMD Advantage, Ryzen 4000 series processors, SmartShift and more.

wccftech.com

 

[Optimistic Gamer]

I feel like you killed this thread with that first line already.

 

[longdi]

I feel like you killed this thread with that first line already.

Amd engineer kinda skirted around but his first answer alludes to what we know, desktop cpu/gpu can be turned up to 11 and do not require smartshift

Desktop processors have more thermal headroom to work within typically 65 and 95 watts if not higher so we get to turn everything up to 11 on those which can be a lot of fun.

 

[SplunkyMunkey]

What sony and amd should of done with the smartshift instead of giving the power focus to the gpu they should also focus the power to the cpu when 5he gpu dont need the power. So with 3.5 with the less demanding gpu they could raise the cpu to 3.8 maybe 4.0ghz

 

[Kenpachii]

What sony and amd should of done with the smartshift instead of giving the power focus to the gpu they should also focus the power to the cpu when 5he gpu dont need the power. So with 3.5 with the less demanding gpu they could raise the cpu to 3.8 maybe 4.0ghz

They should just provide a good cooling solution that can cool there chips for the speeds advertised. What prevent AMD now from advertising top clocks that they won't be able to reach 24/7? It's shit design.

 

[sendit]

This is a smart design. Specifically for devices with a smaller footprint (console : desktop). Product designers will know well ahead of time at peak power draw and can design a cooling solution around that.

 

[psorcerer]

What prevent AMD now from advertising top clocks that they won't be able to reach 24/7?

If somebody says "can reach these clocks 24/7" they lie.
Or they mean: "you will provide your own cooling solution for that", like Intel with 9900K.

 

[longdi]

Video of smart shift in the above mentioned Dell laptop!

 

[DESTROYA]

Frank Azor ruined Dell and AW hopefully he doesn’t do the same to AMD

 

[GHG]

They should just provide a good cooling solution that can cool there chips for the speeds advertised. What prevent AMD now from advertising top clocks that they won't be able to reach 24/7? It's shit design.

What manufacturer doesn't do this these days?

The advertised boost clocks are never the sustained or all core boost clock speeds.

 

[IntentionalPun]

Laptop only, needing additional components, thermals and always on software with 2ms processing time

Why would you want this on a desktop?

Of course it's a mobile only solution.. it's a power saving technique you don't actually WANT unless using up power is a concern.