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

AMD has just unveiled its next-generation Ryzen 8000 series processors, tailored for high-performance gaming laptops. The star of the show is the Ryzen 9 8945HX, boasting 16 cores, 32 threads, and a boost clock reaching up to 5.4GHz. However, these chips are built on the previous Zen 4 architecture, unlike the newer Ryzen AI 300 series which leverages the Zen 5 architecture.

Alongside the Ryzen 9 8945HX, AMD is introducing three more processors to cater to various performance needs. The Ryzen 7 8745HX, for instance, comes with 8 cores, 16 threads, and a 5.1GHz boost clock. These new processors bear striking similarities to their last-gen equivalents; the Ryzen 9 7945HX, for example, also features 16 cores and a 5.4GHz boost clock, coupled with 80MB of cache.

These Ryzen 8000 series processors are designed to pair seamlessly with the fastest graphics chips found in premium gaming laptops. My earlier review of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 Mobile highlighted its struggle when paired with the lower-power AMD Ryzen AI HX 370, which, despite being on the newer Zen 5 architecture, couldn't fully unleash the GPU's potential. In contrast, the Ryzen 9 8945HX can be configured with a TDP ranging from 55W to 75W, promising a significant performance boost, albeit not as substantial as it might have been with a Zen 5 chip at the same power level.

If you've been holding out for AMD's latest offerings to power your next gaming laptop, you're in luck. These new processors are set to hit the market in high-end gaming laptops in the coming months. Below is a breakdown of the specs for each new chip:

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