AMD has just quietly launched its new Ryzen 8000HX “Dragon Range Refresh” processors, primarily aimed at mid- to high-end gaming laptops. These models replace the previous Ryzen 7000HX models that have been in AMD’s catalog since mid-2023; they also use the Zen 4 architecture and almost all of its features, including 5nm manufacturing by TSMC.
A refreshed range with no real new features
More specifically, four mobile CPUs are making their appearance, with a number of cores between 8 and 16, up to 80 MB of cache memory, and frequencies that can reach 5.4 GHz in Boost mode for the fastest of them. All models also feature an integrated Radeon 610M graphics solution with RDNA 2 architecture that can be described as basic: with only 2 cores, it will clearly be impossible to use it for gaming. Gaming laptops equipped with one of these processors will therefore have to integrate a dedicated graphics chipset in addition.
The power consumption limit – or TDP – of these new Dragon Range Refresh ranges between 45 watts and 75 watts depending on the model and the efficiency of the cooling system used by laptop manufacturers. Finally, note that no NPU is embedded in the chip, leaving this functionality to the “Strix Halo” models available on the market for a few weeks.
| Model | Hearts / Threads | Frequency Boost / Base | Memory Cache | Graphics engine | TDP (configurable) |
| Ryzen 9 8945HX | 16 / 32 | 5.4 / 2.5 GHz | 80 MB | Radeon 610M | 55-75W |
| Ryzen 9 7945HX | 16 / 32 | 5.4 / 2.5 GHz | 80 MB | Radeon 610M | 55-75W+ |
| Ryzen 9 8940HX | 16 / 32 | 5.3 / 2.4 GHz | 80 MB | Radeon 610M | 55-75W |
| Ryzen 9 7940HX | 16 / 32 | 5.2 / 2.4 GHz | 80 MB | Radeon 610M | 55-75W+ |
| Ryzen 7 8840HX | 12 / 24 | 5.1 / 2.9 GHz | 76 MB | Radeon 610M | 45-75W |
| Ryzen 7 7840HX | 12 / 24 | 5.1 / 2.9 GHz | 76 MB | Radeon 610M | 45-75W |
| Ryzen 7 8745HX | 8 / 16 | 5.1 / 3.6 GHz | 40 MB | Radeon 610M | 45-75W |
| Ryzen 7 7745HX | 8 / 16 | 5.1 / 3.6 GHz | 40 MB | Radeon 610M | 45-75W |
In concrete terms, these Ryzen 8000HX processors don't bring much to the table compared to the previous generation, except for a reduction in the number of models and therefore a simplification of the range. It's therefore easier to understand why AMD preferred to remain discreet for their launch. To benefit from all the new features and improvements of the Zen 5 architecture (and a 3D cache on certain models), you will therefore have to turn instead to the Ryzen 9000 "Fire Range" processors that AMD launched at the beginning of the year.
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