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

AMD has unveiled its next-generation Ryzen 8000 series processors, designed specifically for gaming laptops, with the flagship being the Ryzen 9 8945HX. Unlike the Ryzen AI 300 series chips launched earlier this year, these new processors are based on the previous Zen 4 architecture. This move by Team Red introduces four new high-performance processors to the market, aimed at enhancing gaming experiences in laptops.

The Ryzen 9 8945HX stands out with its 16 cores and 32 threads, boasting a boost clock speed up to 5.4GHz. For those looking for a slightly less powerful option, the Ryzen 7 8745HX offers 8 cores and 16 threads with a boost clock of 5.1GHz. These new processors share remarkably similar specifications with their last-generation counterparts, such as the AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX, which also featured 16 cores and a 5.4GHz boost clock alongside 80MB of cache.

These Ryzen 8000 processors are set to be paired with the most advanced graphics chips found in high-end gaming laptops. My earlier review of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 Mobile highlighted some performance struggles when it was coupled with a lower-power AMD Ryzen AI HX 370 processor, which utilized the newer Zen 5 architecture. In contrast, the Ryzen 9 8945HX can operate at a configurable TDP ranging from 55W to 75W, promising a significant performance uplift, though the gain could have been more substantial with a Zen 5 chip at the same power level.

If you're holding out for the latest in AMD's processor technology for your gaming laptop, you won't have to wait long. These Ryzen 8000 series chips are expected to be integrated into high-end gaming laptops in the coming months. Below, I've detailed the specifications of the new processors to give you a clearer picture of what to expect:

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