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

AMD has unveiled its next-generation Ryzen 8000 processors tailored for gaming laptops, with the flagship model being the Ryzen 9 8945HX. These new chips, however, continue to leverage the previous Zen 4 architecture, unlike the more recent Ryzen AI 300 series which adopted the Zen 5 architecture. This choice might raise eyebrows among enthusiasts eager for the latest technology, but the performance these processors promise is still noteworthy.

AMD is introducing four new processors designed for high-performance gaming laptops. 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 offers 8 cores, 16 threads, and a 5.1GHz boost clock. These processors share remarkably similar specifications with their predecessors, such as the AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX, which also features 16 cores and a 5.4GHz boost clock along with 80MB of cache.

Despite sticking with the Zen 4 architecture, these processors are set to be paired with the most powerful graphics chips available in high-end gaming laptops. My earlier review of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 Mobile highlighted its struggles when paired with the lower-power AMD Ryzen AI HX 370, a chip built on the newer Zen 5 architecture. In contrast, the Ryzen 9 8945HX can be configured to operate between 55W and 75W, promising a significant performance boost, even if a Zen 5 chip with the same power budget would have offered even greater improvements.

If you've been holding out for AMD's latest processors to upgrade your gaming laptop, you won't have to wait much longer. These new 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