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

AMD has recently unveiled its next-generation Ryzen 8000 processors, tailored specifically for high-performance gaming laptops, with the flagship being the Ryzen 9 8945HX. Unlike the Ryzen AI 300 series laptop chips that were introduced earlier this year, these new processors are built on the previous Zen 4 architecture.

AMD is rolling out four new processors designed for gaming enthusiasts. The top-tier model, the Ryzen 9 8945HX, boasts 16 cores and 32 threads, with a boost clock reaching up to 5.4GHz. At the other end, the Ryzen 7 8745HX comes equipped with 8 cores and 16 threads, achieving a boost clock of 5.1GHz. These new chips share strikingly similar specifications with their predecessors, such as the Ryzen 9 7945HX, which also features 16 cores and a 5.4GHz boost clock alongside 80MB of cache.

Despite utilizing the last-generation architecture, these processors are set to power high-end gaming laptops alongside the most advanced graphics chips available. My earlier review of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 Mobile paired with the lower-power AMD Ryzen AI HX 370, which is based on the newer Zen 5 architecture, highlighted some performance limitations. In contrast, the Ryzen 9 8945HX can be configured with a TDP ranging from 55W to 75W, promising a significant performance boost. While a Zen 5 chip with the same power budget would have offered even greater performance gains, the Ryzen 8000 series should still deliver impressive results.

If you've been holding off on purchasing a gaming laptop in anticipation of AMD's latest offerings, you won't have to wait much longer. These new processors are expected to start appearing in high-end gaming laptops in the coming months. Below, I've outlined the detailed specifications of 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