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| RDNA 3.5 could be in use until 2029. Pictured: A render showing an AMD gaming laptop. |
In the fast-moving world of PC hardware, where new architectures seem to debut yearly, AMD appears to be taking a different path for a key segment of its integrated graphics. According to a new leak, the company plans to keep its current RDNA 3.5 iGPU architecture in play for years to come, serving a specific—and sizable—portion of the market.
The RDNA 3.5 architecture first powered the integrated graphics in AMD’s Strix Point and the formidable Strix Halo APUs. It’s the silicon behind the capable graphics in popular dGPU-less systems, including a new wave of gaming handhelds like the Asus ROG Ally X and the GPD Win 5. Now, with the recent introduction of the Gorgon Point lineup, it seems this architecture has a much longer life ahead than many expected.
A Dual-Track Roadmap Emerges
The insight comes from notable hardware tipster @Kepler_L2 on X, who has a strong track record with AMD-related leaks. According to their report, AMD has effectively split its integrated GPU roadmap into two distinct tracks.
One track is for “premium” iGPU devices, which are slated to receive the next-generation RDNA 5 architecture. The other, more surprising track, is for products where extreme integrated graphics performance is not the priority. For these systems, AMD will continue to utilize the proven RDNA 3.5 design.
This strategic division makes practical sense. Why allocate expensive new silicon and R&D to systems that either don’t need it or already have powerful discrete graphics? The former category includes mainstream office and productivity laptops, where battery life and CPU performance often take precedence. The latter covers high-end gaming laptops and workstations, like an RTX 5070 Ti-equipped system, where the dGPU handles all heavy lifting.
Take, for instance, a powerhouse laptop like the Lenovo Legion 7 Pro. With a high-end discrete GPU onboard, the role of its iGPU is primarily for efficiency during light tasks. For such a machine, a cutting-edge integrated graphics architecture offers diminishing returns.
Embedded Source: Kepler_L2 shared the core of this roadmap discussion in a recent post, which you can see.
The Origins of the Leak: From AI Image to Informed Analysis
The entire discussion appears to have been sparked by a somewhat unusual source. A known Weibo leaker, Golden Pig Upgrade, initially shared what was described as an AI-generated roadmap image. While the image itself may have been speculative, it caught the attention of other reliable tipsters in the community.
Figures like @9550pro (HXL) began adding context, but it was Kepler_L2’s more detailed and informed interpretation that lent significant credibility to the claims. Their history of accurate AMD leaks suggests the AI image may have been based on genuine, circulating information about AMD’s long-term planning.
What This Means for the Future
While Kepler_L2’s report didn’t elaborate on the specifics of the “premium” RDNA 5 products, these are widely believed to be the rumored “Medusa” APUs. Codenamed Medusa, these are expected to be AMD’s next halo-grade chips for ultra-powerful mobile platforms, but they aren’t forecast to arrive until 2027.
This timeline reveals the crux of the strategy: AMD’s RDNA 3.5 iGPUs may not see a proper architectural successor for the mainstream segment until the end of the decade. The architecture will be refined and implemented across new process nodes and CPU cores (like the upcoming Kraken Point), but its foundational graphics technology would remain consistent.
For consumers, this signals a period of stability, but not stagnation, in the mainstream iGPU market. It allows AMD to optimize the architecture for power efficiency and cost, potentially bringing capable RDNA 3.5 graphics to more affordable systems. Meanwhile, the battle for integrated graphics supremacy will continue at the high end, with RDNA 5 poised to make a splash later this decade.
As always, this information comes from unofficial sources, but the credibility of the leaker makes it a roadmap worth watching. If accurate, AMD is making a calculated bet that for a large part of the market, the “good enough” of today will remain perfectly sufficient for years to come.
AMD is dividing their APU roadmap into:
— Kepler (@Kepler_L2) January 24, 2026
a) Products targeting lower end markets or markets that don't need good iGPU performance (i.e office laptops, and also laptops using high-end dGPUs). These will continue to use RDNA 3.5 until 2029.
b) "Premium" iGPU products with RDNA5. https://t.co/dfPw4G2Ee9