Updated for 2026. Covers the Ryzen 8000G series, the new Ryzen AI 400G series, and older AM4 APUs that are still worth buying.
An AMD APU (Accelerated Processing Unit) is a Ryzen processor with a proper Radeon graphics chip built in. That means you can build a working PC, and even game at 1080p, without buying a separate graphics card. AMD marks these chips with a “G” at the end of the model name (Ryzen 7 8700G, Ryzen 5 5600G). On the newest generation, the “G” comes after the number (Ryzen AI 7 450G).
Quick answer: which AMD APU should you buy in 2026?
| Use case | Best APU | Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Best overall integrated graphics | Ryzen 7 8700G (Radeon 780M) | AM5 / DDR5 |
| Best value gaming APU | Ryzen 5 8600G (Radeon 760M) | AM5 / DDR5 |
| Cheapest build / upgrade old PC | Ryzen 5 5600G or 5600GT | AM4 / DDR4 |
| Office PC with AI features (Copilot+) | Ryzen AI 7 450G (pre-built PCs) | AM5 / DDR5 |
| Home theatre PC / mini PC | Ryzen 5 8500G | AM5 / DDR5 |
Current AMD desktop APUs at a glance
| Processor | Cores / Threads | CPU arch. | Integrated GPU | Socket |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen AI 7 450G | 8 / 16 | Zen 5 | Radeon 860M (8 CU, RDNA 3.5) | AM5 |
| Ryzen 7 8700G | 8 / 16 | Zen 4 | Radeon 780M (12 CU, RDNA 3) | AM5 |
| Ryzen 5 8600G | 6 / 12 | Zen 4 | Radeon 760M (8 CU, RDNA 3) | AM5 |
| Ryzen 5 8500G | 6 / 12 | Zen 4 + Zen 4c | Radeon 740M (4 CU, RDNA 3) | AM5 |
| Ryzen 7 5700G | 8 / 16 | Zen 3 | Radeon Vega 8 | AM4 |
| Ryzen 5 5600G / 5600GT | 6 / 12 | Zen 3 | Radeon Vega 7 | AM4 |
Ryzen AI 400G (2026): the newest AMD APUs
In March 2026, AMD brought its laptop “Gorgon Point” chips to the AM5 desktop socket as the Ryzen AI 400G series. There is no “Ryzen 9000G”. The flagship Ryzen AI 7 450G has 8 Zen 5 cores, a 65 W TDP, Radeon 860M graphics and a 50 TOPS NPU. That NPU makes it the first desktop socket chip to meet Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC requirements.
Two catches to know before getting excited:
- They are OEM-only for now. You will find them in pre-built and business desktops, not on store shelves as boxed CPUs.
- The graphics are not faster than the 8700G. The 860M has 8 compute units versus 12 on the 8700G’s 780M. For gaming, the older 8700G is still the integrated-graphics champion. Reports also say the AI 400G chips have fewer usable PCIe lanes than regular Ryzen desktop CPUs.
Ryzen 8000G: the best AMD APUs you can actually buy
Launched in early 2024, the 8000G series uses Zen 4 CPU cores and RDNA 3 graphics, the same architecture as Radeon RX 7000 graphics cards.
- Ryzen 7 8700G: the Radeon 780M is the strongest integrated GPU on any desktop socket. It plays esports titles (Valorant, CS2, Fortnite, Rocket League) comfortably at 1080p, and many AAA games at 1080p low or 720p with FSR upscaling.
- Ryzen 5 8600G: about two-thirds of the 8700G’s graphics power, for noticeably less money. This is the value pick.
- Ryzen 5 8500G: has a small 4-CU GPU. It is fine for office work, 4K video playback and light games, but it is not a gaming APU.
Ryzen 5000G: still worth it on AM4?
If you already own an AM4 motherboard and DDR4 RAM, the Ryzen 5 5600G / 5600GT and Ryzen 7 5700G are cheap and capable. Their Vega graphics are older and slower than RDNA 3, but they handle 1080p esports games at low settings and make excellent office or home server chips. For a brand-new build, AM5 with an 8000G is the better long-term choice.
Older APUs like the Ryzen 3 2200G, Ryzen 5 2400G, 3200G and 3400G are only worth buying used at very low prices. They lack modern features and are noticeably slower.
How to get the best gaming performance from an AMD APU
- Use fast dual-channel RAM. Integrated graphics share system memory, so RAM speed directly affects FPS. Always use two sticks (dual channel). On AM5, DDR5-6000 is the sweet spot.
- Set the iGPU memory (UMA frame buffer) in BIOS to 2–4 GB if your motherboard allows it.
- Turn on FSR / AMD Fluid Motion Frames in supported games for a big FPS boost.
- Keep the chipset and Adrenalin drivers updated.
- Do not skimp on cooling. APUs boost higher and hold FPS better when they run cool.
Do regular Ryzen 7000 / 9000 CPUs have onboard graphics?
Yes, but only a tiny 2-CU “Radeon Graphics” chip meant for display output and troubleshooting, not gaming. If you want to game without a graphics card, you need a G-series APU.
APU vs dedicated graphics card: which should you choose?
Choose an APU for budget builds, small form factor and mini PCs, office machines, home theatre PCs, or if you plan to add a graphics card later. Choose a dedicated GPU if you want to play new AAA games at high settings, edit 4K video seriously, or run local AI models. Even an entry-level card like the Radeon RX 7600 or GeForce RTX 5060 is several times faster than the best APU.
FAQ
Which AMD processor has the best integrated graphics?
On the desktop, the Ryzen 7 8700G with Radeon 780M graphics. In laptops and mini PCs, the Ryzen AI Max (Strix Halo) chips are far more powerful, but they are not available as socketed desktop CPUs.
Can I add a graphics card to an APU later?
Yes. All AMD APUs work with a dedicated graphics card. Note that APUs use PCIe 4.0 (not 5.0) and have fewer PCIe lanes than non-G Ryzen CPUs. That makes little difference for mid-range graphics cards.
Do AMD APUs need a special motherboard?
No, but the motherboard must have display outputs (HDMI/DisplayPort) on the back panel, and AM4 boards may need a BIOS update for newer APUs.