AMD unveils Ryzen AI 400 series CPUs with new AI PC focus
At Mobile World Congress 2026, AMD formally unveiled the Ryzen AI 400 series, a new lineup of processors designed to push local artificial intelligence capabilities across desktops and mobile workstations.
While the gaming audience remains fixated on raw frame rates and clock speeds, the broader industry continues its pivot toward the “AI PC.” This latest silicon brings dedicated neural processing units (NPUs) to the AM5 desktop socket for the first time, prioritising chatbots and generative tasks over pure polygon pushing.
Ryzen AI 400 specifications and Copilot+ support
The new chips combine AMD’s “Zen 5” CPU architecture with RDNA 3.5 graphics, but the headline feature is the integrated XDNA 2 NPU. Capable of delivering up to 50 TOPS of AI compute, these processors are the first desktop silicon to officially support Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC experiences. This allows users to run large language models and AI assistants locally, keeping sensitive data on the device rather than the cloud.
Jack Huynh, senior vice president at AMD, framed the release as a fundamental shift, stating the PC is evolving from a tool into an “intelligent assistant that works alongside you.”
Availability is currently restricted to pre-built systems rather than boxed retail units for DIY builders. Systems from partners like HP and Lenovo are expected in the second quarter of 2026. This rollout strategy mirrors trends in next-generation hardware development, where full system integration often takes precedence over component flexibility.
AMD also expanded its professional lineup with the Ryzen AI PRO 400 series for mobile workstations, boasting up to 60 TOPS of AI compute and enterprise-grade security features.
For the dedicated gamer, the announcement carries caveats. While the RDNA 3.5 graphics architecture promises strong integrated performance, reports suggest these chips utilise efficient “Zen 5c” cores rather than the full-performance cores found in the Ryzen 9000 series. It signals a bifurcation in AMD’s strategy: efficiency and AI for the mainstream, and raw wattage for the enthusiast.
Pricing for specific OEM systems has not yet been confirmed.
Source: AMD Press ReleaseEpic Games has confirmed that Rick and Morty are making their way back to Fortnite for a third collaborative wave, bringing the internet’s favorite brined scientist back to the battle royale.
The publisher revealed the new crossover in a teaser for Chapter 7 Season 2, explicitly confirming that the long-requested Pickle Rick skin will headline the update alongside the formidable Rick Prime.
It has been quite some time since the duo first portal-hopped into the game back in late 2022. While those initial drops covered the base versions of the Smith family and the ever-anxious Mr. Meeseeks, Wave 3 appears to be leaning into the more meme-centric corners of the show’s history. Pickle Rick remains perhaps the singular most inescapable image from the series’ run, making his eventual transition to a playable skin both inevitable and surprisingly overdue given the game’s multiverse trajectory.
As for what is actually in the box, reliable dataminer ShiinaBR indicates the Wave 3 collection focuses primarily on the Rick Prime and Pickle Rick outfits. Early in-game footage teased by the official Fortnite account shows a torture sequence referencing Season 5, implying the character models will be faithfully specific to their source episodes. While pricing is rarely confirmed until the shop refreshes, previous collaborative skins have hovered around the 1,500 V-Bucks mark, with discounted bundles expected for those wanting to grab the full set.
Players can expect the Rick and Morty Wave 3 skins to hit the Item Shop on Friday, March 6, 2026, following the standard daily reset at 4 PM PT / 7 PM ET. Personally, I am mostly curious to see if the hitbox on a literal pickle offers any competitive advantage, or if I’m just paying to make myself a more vibrant, vinegar-soaked target.
