AMD's next-generation Ryzen 7000-series "Phoenix" mobile processors are all the rage these days. Bound for 2023, these chips feature a powerful iGPU based on the RDNA3 graphics architecture, with performance allegedly rivaling that of a GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU—a popular performance-segment discrete GPU. What's more, AMD is also taking a swing at Intel in the CPU core-count game, by giving "Phoenix" a large number of "Zen 4" CPU cores. The secret ingredient pushing this combo, however, is a large cache.

AMD has used large caches to good effect both on its "Zen 3" processors, such as the Ryzen 7 5800X3D, where they're called 3D Vertical Cache (3D V-cache); as well as its Radeon RX 6000 discrete GPUs, where they're called Infinity Cache. The only known difference between the two is that the latter is fully on-die, while the former is stacked on top of existing silicon IP. It's being reported now, that "Phoenix" will indeed feature a stacked 3D V-cache.

AMD is planning a massive integrated graphics performance uplift for its next-generation Ryzen 7000U mobile processors. Codenamed "Phoenix," this SoC will feature a CPU based on the "Zen 4" microarchitecture with a higher CPU core count than the Intel alternative of the time; and an iGPU based on the RDNA3 graphics architecture. AMD is planning to endow this with the right combination of a CU count and engine clocks, to result in performance that roughly matches the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU, a popular performance-segment discrete GPU for notebooks, according to greymon55. Other highlights of "Phoenix" include a DDR5 + LPDDR5 memory interface, and PCI-Express Gen 5. The SoC is expected to be built on the TSMC N5 (5 nm) process, and debut in 2023.

A Chinese PC components OEM started making desktop graphics cards with NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU. Why, you ask? NVIDIA did not feel the need to enable LHR (lite hash-rate) limiters for its Laptop GPUs. This genius contraption also benefits from the lower TDP and aggressive power management of the mobile GPU. What's more, the OEM combined the GPU with 6 GB of memory as per its specification, not having to do 12 GB.

Pairing this with a fairly basic-looking cooling solution, the card is able to sell for as low as $540 a piece when bought in bulk quantities. Based on the same "GA106" silicon as its desktop counterpart, the RTX 3060 Laptop GPU has more CUDA cores—3,840 vs. 3,584, albeit with lower memory amount (which doesn't matter for mining), and tighter clock-speeds. The increased CUDA core count, along with lack of LHR, make this an interesting contraption.