AMD Zen 7 Grimlock APUs Might Keep Gamers Waiting For RDNA 5+ Until 2029

A major criticism of AMD was that the graphics architecture in its integrated GPUs lagged behind its latest graphics technology found in its discrete GPUs. Those days are mostly past; the firm's current integrated graphics are a generation or less behind its current discrete GPUs. It seems that will probably continue to be the case, as regular leaker Kepler_L2 says that AMD Zen 7 "Grimlock" CPUs will come with "RDNA 5+" graphics in 2029.

The comment came in a NeoGAF discussion about when AMD might bring RDNA 5 graphics to mainstream mobile processors. Kepler_L2 suggested that RDNA 5, in "5+" form, will make its way into regular mobile products in 2029 inside "Grimlock." While the leaker didn't elaborate on the differences between the two architectures, the naming suggests an iterative improvement rather than an entirely new graphics architecture. It may even be specifically mobile-oriented, much like the rumored "RDNA 4m" architecture.

This wouldn't be the first time AMD has developed an enhanced version of an existing graphics architecture specifically for integrated graphics. RDNA 3.5, used in the Ryzen AI CPUs, brought numerous efficiency-focused refinements to RDNA 3. AMD's current roadmap also reportedly divides its integrated graphics products into two categories: lower-end processors and products primed to be paired with discrete GPUs will continue using RDNA 3.5, while premium APUs will supposedly transition to RDNA 5.


Grimlock is reportedly the codename for AMD's Zen 7 processor generation, which is expected to follow the Zen 6-based Medusa family. Previous leaks have suggested that Grimlock desktop processors could arrive as early as 2028, with the mobile lineup following afterward. The processors are also rumored to make use of TSMC's upcoming A14 manufacturing process, although nobody really knows anything yet about the platform's final specifications and configuration beyond that it will probably make its way to Socket AM5.

The distinction between RDNA 5 and RDNA 5+ might be particularly interesting in the context of gaming handhelds. AMD's integrated graphics have been dominant in that market, with products like the Steam Deck and ROG Xbox Ally X20 demonstrating how much performance can be squeezed out of a relatively small power budget. An optimized RDNA 5 implementation could offer another substantial improvement in graphics performance and efficiency—a welcome gain in light of fierce competition from Intel in the space.

For now, though, there's almost no concrete information about what RDNA 5 actually changes, nevermind the differences between that and "RDNA 5+." AMD hasn't even announced the architecture, and Kepler_L2's brief comment doesn't establish whether it will be exclusive to integrated graphics or eventually find its way into discrete Radeon products. With 2029 still several years away, there's plenty of time for AMD's plans to change.