AMD Medusa Point Sets Record as Fastest x86 Chip on Geekbench

AMD’s upcoming next-gen mobile APU family, “Medusa Point,” scheduled for release in late 2026, has made another appearance on Geekbench as an engineering sample. According to a report by Tom’s Hardware’s Hassan Nasir, this latest benchmark result surpasses the scores of two previous leaks. Notably, the single-core performance of this chip outstrips all current x86 mobile processors.

Details of the Latest Benchmark Results

The Geekbench listing for “AMD Eng Sample 100-000001713-33_N” matches the identification number of the earlier leaks, confirming it as the same chip. The platform name, “AMD Plum-MDS1,” identifies it as part of the Medusa Point family.

In this latest test, the chip achieved a single-core score of 3,329 and a multi-core score of 16,555. Compared to the previous leak, this represents a 5% improvement in single-core performance and a 10% increase in multi-core performance. The single-core score of 3,329 outperforms all mobile chips in Geekbench’s database, except Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 Elite series.

What stands out is how this score approaches the level of desktop-grade CPUs. For example, the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X (12 cores) and Ryzen 7 9800X3D (8 cores) both scored 3,333, while the 10-core Medusa Point is only 4 points behind. Impressively, it even surpasses the Ryzen 5 9600X (6 cores) score of 3,318, indicating desktop mid-range performance in a mobile chip.

Speculated Clock Speeds and Configuration

In earlier leaks, clock speed data was unavailable, but this time, Geekbench has reported accurate figures. The base clock is 2.0 GHz, with a boost clock reaching 5.37 GHz—a remarkably high frequency for a mobile processor.

The chip features a 10-core configuration. Based on AMD’s naming conventions, the SKU is likely to be named “Ryzen AI 9 565.” AMD has previously released the Ryzen AI 9 365 (10 cores) under Strix Point and the Ryzen AI 9 465 (10 cores) under Gorgon Point, making “Ryzen AI 9 565” a logical next step for Medusa Point’s 10-core setup.

The current Ryzen AI 9 365 has an average multi-core score of 12,410, so Medusa Point’s score of 16,555 represents a 33% improvement. This significant leap is attributed to architectural updates (Zen 6) and the increased boost clock speed.

Medusa Point’s Positioning

In terms of multi-core performance, this 10-core SKU performs similarly to the Strix Halo Ryzen AI Max+ 390, which features larger 12-core to 16-core dies and is a high-end SKU. The fact that Medusa Point achieves comparable performance with just 10 cores highlights the efficiency improvements of the Zen 6 architecture.

When compared to Intel, Medusa Point outperforms the Core i9-14900KS (24 cores) with a single-core score of 3,226 and the Core Ultra 9 285K (24 cores) with 3,195. Achieving desktop-level single-core performance in a mobile chip is a remarkable feat.

Although Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 Elite X2E-90-100 (18 cores) retains its lead with a single-core score of 3,573, Medusa Point achieves approximately 93% of this score with just 10 cores. This narrowing performance gap demonstrates AMD’s exceptional design capabilities, especially amid increasing competition from ARM architectures.

Timeline for Product Launch

AMD is expected to officially unveil Medusa Point in 2026, positioning it as a Zen 6-based mobile APU. The most likely release timeframe appears to be the latter half of the year. Given the rapid performance improvements observed in these engineering samples, the production models might achieve even higher scores.

Medusa Point will be marketed as part of the Ryzen AI 500 series. AMD’s mobile product lineup has evolved from Strix Point (Ryzen AI 300) to Krackan Point (Ryzen AI 400) and Gorgon Point (Ryzen AI 400). Medusa Point is positioned to be the next-generation flagship mobile APU in this series.

Looking ahead, there is speculation about higher-end SKUs. The leaked 10-core configuration is expected to represent the mid-range Ryzen AI 9 565. It is highly likely that 12-core and 16-core higher-end SKUs exist, and their performance will be the next point of interest.

Editorial Opinion

The latest benchmark results for Medusa Point significantly raise the performance ceiling for x86 mobile processors, earning high praise. Achieving desktop-level performance in single-core tasks is a development that could have a substantial impact on the market for mobile workstations and high-end laptops. This development is particularly promising for creators and scientific computation professionals, as it suggests the possibility of achieving desktop-like capabilities in mobile devices.

However, it is important to note that these figures are based on an engineering sample, and it remains uncertain whether similar performance levels will be maintained in mass-produced models. The final performance of the product will be influenced by cooling design and power consumption constraints, necessitating close monitoring until the official product launch.

From a long-term perspective, the performance gap between mobile and desktop processors is narrowing. It’s encouraging to see the x86 architecture, through high-efficiency and high-performance designs, successfully countering the rise of ARM architectures, thereby maintaining healthy market competition. However, the details of the Zen 6 microarchitecture remain undisclosed, leaving questions about the extent of IPC improvements and power consumption characteristics. The ultimate success of Medusa Point will hinge on its real-world thermal and power performance.

References

• ” AMD’s next-gen 10-core ‘Medusa Point’ APU shows up on Geekbench again, with its best score yet — leaked SKU outpaces every other x86 mobile chip in the single-core test ”, by Hassam Nasir — Tom’s Hardware, 2026-07-19T14:35:00.000Z (ARR)
• Source URL: https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/cpus/amds-next-gen-10-core-medusa-point-apu-shows-up-on-geekbench-again-with-its-best-score-yet-leaked-sku-outpaces-every-other-x86-mobile-chip-in-the-single-core-test