AMD has recently unveiled its next-generation Ryzen 8000 series processors, specifically designed for high-performance gaming laptops, with the flagship model being the Ryzen 9 8945HX. Unlike the Ryzen AI 300 series chips that were introduced earlier this year, these new processors are based on the previous-generation Zen 4 architecture.
AMD is launching four new processors in this series, catering to a range of gaming needs. The top-tier Ryzen 9 8945HX comes equipped with 16 cores and 32 threads, boasting a maximum boost clock of up to 5.4GHz. At the other end, the Ryzen 7 8745HX offers 8 cores and 16 threads, with a boost clock reaching 5.1GHz. These new chips closely resemble their predecessors in the Ryzen 7000 series; for instance, the Ryzen 9 7945HX also features 16 cores and a 5.4GHz boost clock, along with 80MB of cache.
Despite being built on the last-generation 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 performance struggles when paired with the less powerful AMD Ryzen AI HX 370, which utilizes 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, although a Zen 5 chip with the same power budget would have offered even greater improvements.
If you're holding out for the latest from AMD to upgrade your gaming laptop, you won't have to wait long. These new processors are expected to be integrated into high-end gaming laptops in the coming months. Below, I've detailed the specifications of the new Ryzen 8000 series 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
