AMD has expanded its Ryzen AI Max family at CES 2026 with two new processors, the Max+ 392 and the Max+ 388. The pair extend the Strix Halo design—a configuration that combines one or two CPU chiplets with a large IOD housing a capable GPU—and broaden options for portable PCs seeking high-end performance without a discrete GPU. Among the two, the Max+ 388 is highlighted as potentially the best fit for the ultimate handheld gaming PC thanks to its single-chiplet configuration that preserves full CPU and GPU capabilities.
The Max+ 392 uses two CPU CCDs, delivering 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Max+ 388 uses a single CCD with 8 cores and 16 threads. By comparison, the current Ryzen AI Max 385 is also a single CCD part, but its GPU consists of 32 CUs. Across the Strix Halo line, the chips offer 40 RDNA 3.5 compute units, 64 MB of L3 cache, and a 256-bit unified memory bus. All Strix Halo parts share a maximum 120 W TDP, with a default 55 W configurable limit. The family supports up to 128 MB of unified memory.
AMD has emphasized AI capabilities at CES, but the new Max+ variants underscore how core count, GPU shader units, and memory bandwidth intersect in portable form factors. The Max+ 388’s single CCD design preserves all CPU cores and the full 40 CUs, which helps avoid the compatibility quirks seen in some dual-CCD games that require forcing threads onto a single chiplet.
Third-party handhelds illustrate how these chips are used in devices today. For example, GPD's Win 5 can be configured with 32, 64, or 128 GB of RAM, and power envelopes around 80 W are achievable, higher than the default 55 W. The Win 5 currently ships with either the Max 385 or the Max+ 395, and an update to the Max+ 388 would align with AMD's new chips.
From a gaming perspective, the Ryzen AI 400 series is essentially the 300-series Strix Point under a new label, with only modest clock bumps in some SKUs. The 400 series still tops out at 16 RDNA 3.5 CUs, and its memory bus width is 128 bits, half the width of the Strix Halo’s 256-bit bus. In handheld form, this reduced bandwidth can become a bottleneck, especially at higher visual settings. AMD’s CES messaging leans toward AI features, but the Max+ 388 remains positioned as the strongest gaming option within the Ryzen AI Max family for portable scenarios.
Altogether, the Ryzen AI Max family continues to present a compelling option for portable gaming without a dedicated GPU, balancing CPU core counts, GPU shaders, and AI acceleration. CES 2026 coverage will show how competitors respond, but AMD’s approach of tightly integrating CPU, GPU, and AI in a single package retains appeal for handheld gamers and mobile creators alike.
As devices roll out with these SKUs, exact performance will depend on cooling, thermals, and software optimization. The introduction marks AMD's continued strategy to push AI-accelerated compute in portable form factors.
