AMD has unveiled its next-generation Ryzen 8000 series processors, designed specifically for high-performance gaming laptops, with the flagship model being the Ryzen 9 8945HX. Unlike the recently launched Ryzen AI 300 series chips, which are based on the new Zen 5 architecture, the Ryzen 8000 series sticks with the last-generation Zen 4 architecture.
The Ryzen 8000 lineup includes four new processors tailored for gaming enthusiasts. The top-tier 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 with 8 cores, 16 threads, and a 5.1GHz boost clock. These processors closely mirror the specs of their predecessors, such as the Ryzen 9 7945HX, which also features 16 cores and a 5.4GHz boost clock, alongside 80MB of cache.
These new processors are set to be paired with the most advanced graphics cards in high-end gaming laptops. My recent review of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 Mobile highlighted performance struggles when paired with the lower-power AMD Ryzen AI HX 370, which utilizes 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 boost, though a Zen 5 chip within the same power envelope would likely yield even greater improvements.
If you're holding out for AMD's latest processors to upgrade your gaming laptop, you can expect to see these chips in high-end models over the coming months. Below, I've detailed the specifications of the new Ryzen 8000 series:
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
