Last month at Computex, AMD unveiled its upcoming Zen 5-based desktop and mobile processors, scheduled for release later this month. Following this announcement, information about their successor, code-named “Medusa,” has surfaced. Reports indicate that Medusa, part of the Zen 6 lineup, is expected to launch in late 2025, contrary to previous speculations of a 2026 debut.
Sources referenced by YouTuber Moore’s Law Is Dead suggest that AMD aims to finalize the Zen 6 architecture by Q2 2025, with production potentially commencing later that year. Another insider has confirmed Medusa’s positioning as a Zen 6 product, targeting both laptops and the desktop AM5 platform. Moreover, Strix Halo and Medusa Halo, based on Zen 5 and Zen 6 architectures respectively, are expected to utilize TSMC’s N3E (enhanced 3nm process).
AMD’s naming conventions for products include “Ridge” for desktops, “Point” for mobile devices, and “Halo” for extreme mobile variants. Under the Zen 5 architecture, Granite Ridge is designated for desktops, while Strix Point is for mobile platforms. However, the appearance of the Strix Halo product has been delayed, likely due to challenges with TSMC’s 3nm process.
Initially, AMD intended to introduce Zen 5 on the 3nm node for both Strix Point and Strix Halo. However, complications with chiplets and TSMC’s delays led to AMD sticking with 4nm for Strix Point. Nonetheless, Strix Halo is anticipated to launch later this year with a 3nm design, aiming to compete with Intel’s Lunar Lake and featuring an enhanced neural processing unit (NPU).
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Given the accuracy of past leaks from Moore’s Law Is Dead, these rumors carry some weight but should be approached with caution.
New laptops featuring AMD’s Ryzen 300 AI Strix Point processors are expected to start shipping later this month from major OEMs. Additionally, Ryzen 9000 desktop components are slated to hit the market soon, with an initial leaked price of $310.
