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

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

AMD is set to release four new high-performance processors for gaming laptops. The top-tier model, the Ryzen 9 8945HX, boasts 16 cores, 32 threads, and a boost clock of up to 5.4GHz. On the other end, the Ryzen 7 8745HX features 8 cores, 16 threads, and a 5.1GHz boost clock. These new processors share strikingly similar specifications to their last-generation equivalents, such as the AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX, which also offers 16 cores and a 5.4GHz boost clock along with 80MB of cache.

Despite using the last-gen architecture, these processors will be integrated into high-end gaming laptops alongside the most powerful graphics chips available. My earlier review of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 Mobile highlighted some performance limitations when paired with the lower-power AMD Ryzen AI HX 370, which is based on the newer Zen 5 architecture. In contrast, the Ryzen 9 8945HX can operate within a power range of 55W to 75W, promising a significant performance uplift. However, a Zen 5 chip with the same power budget would likely have offered even greater improvements.

If you're holding off on purchasing a gaming laptop in anticipation of AMD's latest processors, you won't have to wait long. These new chips are expected to be incorporated into high-end gaming laptops in the coming months. Below are the detailed specifications for the new processors:

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