AMD RDNA 3.5 iGPU: Big gains for integrated graphics

AMD’s latest graphics update isn’t a full-blown new GPU architecture – but it feels like one for integrated graphics. The company’s RDNA 3.5 architecture represents a focused refinement of its previous RDNA 3 design, aimed squarely at boosting performance and efficiency in low-power contexts like laptops, handhelds, and mobile APUs.

Here’s what that evolution means for real-world performance, why RDNA 3.5 matters, and how AMD’s newest integrated GPUs stack up in 2026.

What AMD RDNA 3.5 actually is

Think of RDNA 3.5 as RDNA 3, but tuned and optimized, not replaced. Unlike a ground-up redesign, RDNA 3.5 refines key parts of the graphics pipeline to improve performance per watt and overall throughput. Key changes include doubling texture sampler and pixel interpolation rates, optimizing memory access patterns, and generally squeezing more work out of each compute unit (CU).

Those tweaks are especially useful when graphics hardware is constrained by tight power limits – the exact situation for integrated GPUs in thin laptops and handheld devices.

The first iGPUs to use RDNA 3.5

RDNA 3.5 shows up in AMD’s Ryzen AI 300 “Strix Point” processors on the GPU side, specifically:

• Radeon 890M: 16 compute units
• Radeon 880M: 12 compute units

These are the first widely tested RDNA 3.5 iGPUs, and they demonstrate what AMD’s shader tweaks and pipeline improvements can do.

Performance gains you can actually feel

Compared to last-generation RDNA 3 integrated GPUs, the new RDNA 3.5 units deliver solid uplifts:

• 19%–32% higher scores in synthetic GPU benchmarks like 3DMark at the same power level.
• Up to ~46% faster graphics compute scores in Vulkan and OpenCL tests versus RDNA 3.

That’s a meaningful jump – not just in benchmarks, but in everyday usage. For gamers and content creators using laptops with RDNA 3.5 iGPUs, this can translate into smoother gameplay at 1080p in esports or lighter titles, and snappier UI and media performance.

Showdown: RDNA 3.5 iGPU vs. Entry-level discrete GPUs

One of the most interesting outcomes from early testing is how close RDNA 3.5 integrated graphics can get to low-end discrete GPUs:

• The Radeon 890M RDNA 3.5 often beats or matches performance of NVidia-class entry-level cards like the RTX 3050 4 GB or Radeon RX 6400 in certain tests – all while drawing far less power.

For devices like ultraportable laptops or handheld gaming PCs where power and heat are limited, that’s a huge deal. You’re looking at performance that feels like a discrete GPU in many scenarios, without the extra space, cooling, or battery drain.

Why AMD didn’t just jump to RDNA 4

Even though AMD continues advancing discrete GPU architectures with RDNA 4 for standalone graphics cards, the company deliberately stuck with RDNA 3.5 for integrated graphics in its mobile and APU lineup. The reason? RDNA 3.5 hits a sweet spot in performance per watt and fits the power envelopes of laptops and handhelds far better than a full-on RDNA 4 design would.

This decision boosts real-world efficiency – and aligns with what most users want from thin and light devices: responsive graphics without throttling or early battery exhaustion.

Real-world takeaways

Here’s what RDNA 3.5 means for you:

• Better mobile GPU performance: Not just iterative gains – measurable uplifts in both benchmarks and gameplay.
• Discrete-like power in an integrated chip: RDNA 3.5 iGPUs are finally encroaching on entry-level dGPU territory.
• Efficient for thin and light devices: Improvements aren’t just about speed – they also lean into power and memory efficiency.

Who needs to pay attention

If you’re shopping for a gaming or productivity laptop without a dedicated GPU, RDNA 3.5 makes that choice more compelling. Titles that once felt stuttery at low settings may now be smoother thanks to these architectural tweaks. Content creators working on lighter video or 3D tasks will also notice better performance over older RDNA designs.

If you’d like a comparison table of RDNA 3.5 vs RDNA 3 iGPUs or a breakdown of which laptops and APUs are shipping with these new graphics right now, just let me know.

Sources: TopCPU, Wccftech, Tomshardware