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

AMD has unveiled its latest Ryzen 8000 series processors, designed specifically for high-performance gaming laptops. Leading the charge is the Ryzen 9 8945HX, which, despite utilizing the last-generation Zen 4 architecture, promises robust performance for gamers. This series diverges from the Ryzen AI 300 chips introduced earlier this year, which were based on the newer Zen 5 architecture.

The new lineup includes four processors tailored for top-tier gaming laptops. The flagship Ryzen 9 8945HX boasts 16 cores and 32 threads, with a boost clock reaching up to 5.4GHz. On the other end, the Ryzen 7 8745HX comes equipped with 8 cores and 16 threads, achieving a 5.1GHz boost clock. Notably, these processors closely resemble their predecessors, such as the Ryzen 9 7945HX, which also features 16 cores and a 5.4GHz boost clock with 80MB of cache.

These Ryzen 8000 processors are set to be paired with the most powerful graphics chips available in gaming laptops. My earlier review of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 Mobile highlighted performance limitations when coupled with the lower-power AMD Ryzen AI HX 370. In contrast, the Ryzen 9 8945HX can operate with a configurable TDP ranging from 55W to 75W, which should enhance performance significantly, though the gains would have been even more substantial with a Zen 5-based chip at the same power level.

If you're holding out for AMD's latest offerings to upgrade your gaming laptop, you won't have to wait long. These processors are expected to hit the market in high-end gaming laptops over the coming months. Below is a detailed breakdown of the specs for the new chips:

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