AMD Unveils Next-Gen Gaming Laptop Chips Using Last-Gen Architecture

AMD has recently unveiled its highly anticipated Ryzen 8000 series processors designed specifically for gaming laptops, headlined by the powerful Ryzen 9 8945HX. Despite the buzz surrounding these new offerings, it’s worth noting that these processors are constructed using the previous-generation Zen 4 architecture, rather than the newer Zen 5.

The Ryzen 8000 lineup consists of four new processors aimed at high-performance gaming laptops. At the top tier is the Ryzen 9 8945HX, boasting 16 cores, 32 threads, and a boost clock reaching up to 5.4GHz. Positioned on the lower end is the Ryzen 7 8745HX, equipped with 8 cores, 16 threads, and a boost clock of 5.1GHz. Interestingly, these processors share strikingly similar specifications with their predecessors in the Ryzen 7000 series, such as the Ryzen 9 7945HX, which also features 16 cores, a boost clock of 5.4GHz, and an 80MB cache.

These CPUs will be coupled with some of the most advanced graphics solutions available in premium gaming laptops. For context, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 Mobile struggled with the lower-powered AMD Ryzen AI HX 370, despite the latter being based on the newer Zen 5 architecture. In contrast, the Ryzen 9 8945HX can be configured to operate within a TDP range of 55W to 75W, potentially delivering enhanced performance compared to its Zen 5 counterpart under the same power constraints.

While these chips may not bring revolutionary changes, they still promise solid improvements in performance. For enthusiasts eagerly awaiting AMD's latest processors, high-end gaming laptops featuring these CPUs should start rolling out over the coming months. Below is a detailed breakdown of the new Ryzen 8000 series specifications:

AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX

• CPU Cores: 16
• Threads: 32
• Boost Clock: 5.4GHz
• Integrated GPU: AMD Radeon 610M
• GPU Cores: 2
• Configurable TDP: 55W – 75W
• Total Cache: 80MB

AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX

• CPU Cores: 16
• Threads: 32
• Boost Clock: 5.3GHz
• Integrated GPU: AMD Radeon 610M
• GPU Cores: 2
• Configurable TDP: 55W – 75W
• Total Cache: 80MB

AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX

• CPU Cores: 12
• Threads: 24
• Boost Clock: 5.1GHz
• Integrated GPU: AMD Radeon 610M
• GPU Cores: 2
• Configurable TDP: 45W – 75W
• Total Cache: 76MB

AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX

• CPU Cores: 8
• Threads: 16
• Boost Clock: 5.1GHz
• Integrated GPU: AMD Radeon 610M
• GPU Cores: 2
• Configurable TDP: 45W – 75W
• Total Cache: 40MB