AMD Unveils New Gaming Laptop Chips Using Previous Architecture

AMD has recently unveiled its next-generation Ryzen 8000 series processors tailored for high-performance gaming laptops, with the flagship being the Ryzen 9 8945HX. Unlike the Ryzen AI 300 series chips that were released earlier this year, these new processors utilize the previous Zen 4 architecture rather than the newer Zen 5.

The lineup includes four new processors, with the Ryzen 9 8945HX leading the pack. It boasts 16 cores and 32 threads, with a boost clock that can reach up to 5.4GHz. On the other end of the spectrum, the Ryzen 7 8745HX comes with 8 cores and 16 threads, achieving a boost clock of 5.1GHz. These processors share similar specifications with their predecessors, such as the Ryzen 9 7945HX, which also features 16 cores and a 5.4GHz boost clock, along with 80MB of cache.

These new Ryzen 8000 processors are designed to pair with the top-tier graphics chips in premium gaming laptops. My review of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 Mobile earlier this year highlighted its performance limitations when coupled with the lower-power AMD Ryzen AI HX 370 processor, despite its Zen 5 architecture. In contrast, the Ryzen 9 8945HX can operate within a power range of 55W to 75W, promising a significant performance uplift. While a Zen 5 chip with the same power budget would have offered even greater performance gains, the Ryzen 9 8945HX remains a robust choice for gaming enthusiasts.

If you've been holding out for AMD's latest processors to upgrade your gaming laptop, you won't have to wait much longer. These new chips are expected to be integrated into high-end gaming laptops in the coming months. Below, I've detailed the specifications of the new processors for a clearer understanding of what to expect.

AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX Specs

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 Specs

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 Specs

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 Specs

CPU Cores: 8

Threads: 16

Boost Clock: 5.1GHz

Integrated GPU: AMD Radeon 610M

GPU Cores: 2

Configurable TDP: 45W – 75W

Total Cache: 40MB