AMD Unveils Next-Gen Gaming Laptop Chips Using Previous Architecture

AMD has unveiled its next-generation Ryzen 8000 processors tailored for gaming laptops, spearheaded by the formidable Ryzen 9 8945HX. However, it's worth noting that these processors, unlike the Ryzen AI 300 series chips released earlier, are built on the previous-generation Zen 4 architecture.

AMD is set to launch four new processors designed for high-performance 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 of the spectrum, the Ryzen 7 8745HX comes with 8 cores, 16 threads, and a 5.1GHz boost clock. These new chips bear striking similarities to their predecessors; for instance, the AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX also featured 16 cores and a 5.4GHz boost clock, alongside 80MB of cache.

Despite using the last-generation architecture, these processors are set to be paired with the most powerful graphics chips available in high-end gaming laptops. My review of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 Mobile earlier this year highlighted its struggles when paired with the lower-power AMD Ryzen AI HX 370, which utilized the newer Zen 5 architecture. In contrast, the Ryzen 9 8945HX offers a configurable TDP ranging from 55W to 75W, promising a significant performance boost. Although a Zen 5 chip with the same power budget would have provided even greater performance, the Ryzen 9 8945HX is still a strong contender.

If you've been holding out for AMD's latest processors to upgrade your gaming laptop, you won't have to wait long. These new chips are expected to be integrated into high-end gaming laptops in the coming months. Below, I've detailed the specifications of these exciting new releases:

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