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

AMD has unveiled its next-generation Ryzen 8000 processors designed for high-performance gaming laptops, spearheaded by the formidable Ryzen 9 8945HX. Unlike the Ryzen AI 300 series laptop chips launched earlier this year, these new processors leverage the previous-generation Zen 4 architecture. This move by Team Red introduces four new processors tailored for gaming enthusiasts, with the flagship Ryzen 9 8945HX boasting 16 cores, 32 threads, and a boost clock reaching up to 5.4GHz. At the other end of the spectrum, the Ryzen 7 8745HX offers 8 cores, 16 threads, and a 5.1GHz boost clock. These new chips closely mirror the specifications of their predecessors; for instance, the AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX also featured 16 cores with a 5.4GHz boost clock and 80MB of cache.

Despite utilizing last-generation architecture, these processors are set to be paired with the most powerful graphics chips available in top-tier gaming laptops. My earlier review of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 Mobile highlighted its challenges when coupled with the lower-power AMD Ryzen AI HX 370, built on the newer Zen 5 architecture. In contrast, the Ryzen 9 8945HX can be configured with a TDP ranging from 55W to 75W, which should substantially enhance performance. While a Zen 5 chip with the same power budget would offer even greater performance gains, the Ryzen 8000 series still promises robust capabilities.

If you've been holding out for AMD's latest offerings to upgrade your gaming laptop, you can expect these processors to start appearing in high-end models over the coming months. Below, I've detailed the specifications of the new chips to help you make an informed decision.

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