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

AMD has recently unveiled its next-generation Ryzen 8000 series processors, designed specifically for high-performance gaming laptops. Leading the pack is the formidable Ryzen 9 8945HX, which is built on the last-generation Zen 4 architecture, unlike the newer Ryzen AI 300 series chips that hit the market earlier this year.

AMD is introducing four new processors to cater to gamers looking for top-tier performance. The flagship Ryzen 9 8945HX boasts 16 cores and 32 threads, with a boost clock reaching up to 5.4GHz. For those who might not need such extensive power, the Ryzen 7 8745HX comes with 8 cores, 16 threads, and a boost clock of 5.1GHz. Interestingly, these new chips share very similar specifications to 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 processors are poised to be paired with the most advanced graphics chips available in high-end gaming laptops. My recent review of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 Mobile revealed that it struggled when coupled with the lower-power AMD Ryzen AI HX 370, despite the latter being built on the newer Zen 5 architecture. In contrast, the Ryzen 9 8945HX offers a configurable TDP ranging from 55W to 75W, which is likely to enhance performance significantly. Although a Zen 5 chip with a similar power budget would have provided an even greater performance boost, the Ryzen 9 8945HX still promises robust gaming capabilities.

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

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