AMD has a new driver for its latest Ryzen AI 300 processors, and it introduces a feature that could provide a massive performance boost in games. It’s called Variable Graphics Memory, or VGM, and it allows the integrated graphics to convert up to 75% of the memory in a system to dedicated graphics memory. This, according to AMD, can not only boost performance in games, but also make some otherwise unplayable titles boot.
The new Ryzen AI 300 processors are mostly found in thin and light laptops, including devices like the Zenbook S 16 that aren’t targeted at gamers. In addition to VGM in the new driver, AMD also turned on its Fluid Motion Frames 2 (AFMF 2) feature for Ryzen AI 300 processors. With both features working in tandem, you can see the performance boost on the Zenbook S 16 below.
Guardians of the Galaxy is the most interesting inclusion, as AMD claims the game needs VGM turned on to even run. According to AMD, this is because some games come with hard-coded requirements for video memory. By default, the integrated graphics on a Ryzen AI 300 processor only get a dedicated 512MB pool, sometimes leading to errors or outright game crashes if the title calls for more dedicated memory. VGM gets around that issue.
It seems that AFMF 2 is pulling most of the weight when it comes to performance gains, however. In a less taxing scenario for integrated graphics, AMD showed its Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 hitting close to 100 frames per second (fps) or higher in the games it tested at 1080p.
As you can read in our testing of AFMF 2, it’s a huge improvement over the original version. The frame generation feature works with nearly any game, and the second version has much better image quality and stability. In addition, AMD added support for OpenGL and Vulkan with AFMF 2, allowing you to play nearly any PC game with the feature turned on.
AFMF 2 and VGM are available through a technical preview driver now. The driver also includes support for the recently released Warhammer 40K: Space Marines 2. As is always the case with preview drivers, there’s a chance you could run into some minor bugs, and AMD asks that users report bugs when using a preview driver.
Apple is less than a day away from launching its highly anticipated OLED MacBook Pro with a touch-sensitive screen. But it appears that the upgrade is going to cost a pretty penny. According to a report by Bloomberg, Apple is reportedly eyeing a starting price of $2,899 for the 14-inch MacBook Pro, while the 16-inch version could start at $3,399 in the US.
"At $2,899, the 14-inch model would mark the highest starting price for a new MacBook Pro model, surpassing the $2,799 Apple charged for a 17-inch version introduced in 2006," says the report. The report claims that Apple is targeting a minimum price hike of $400 for its upcoming redesigned 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models.
I've spent a good amount of time digging into the spec sheet of the new M6 MacBook Pro (14-inch), and for all intents and purposes, this is a classic Apple "chip and connectivity" refresh. It's not a full redesign. The chassis, Liquid Retina XDR panel, speakers, ports, and battery, all of them carry over unchanged.
However, the M6 brings more cores, stronger on-device AI, higher memory bandwidth on the larger configs, and modern wireless. Here’s the practical rundown of what actually improved, and whether those gains are worth your money.
Two new highly requested iCloud plugins just got added to ChatGPT, giving people who rely on Apple’s Mail and Calendar services a way to search emails, check appointments, and manage their schedules directly through the chatbot.
The integration is rolling out to all ChatGPT plans, including the free tier. You can access it on the web, desktop, and iOS.