Sep 7, 2023
When shopping for a new laptop, you will be comparing many specs to
choose the best fit for your needs. For many users, the most
important consideration will be the laptop’s processor, or CPU
(Central Processing Unit). One popular CPU brand is AMD. This guide
will help identify some of the benefits of AMD CPUs, and it will
also help explain some of the options on offer.
Why Choose an AMD-Powered Laptop?
AMD has a reputation for making power-efficient CPUs that tend to
offer superior battery life. This is an important consideration for
many users — especially those frequently on the go.
AMD Ryzen™ CPUs excel in multithreading, which is particularly
useful for content creators. Many creative apps take advantage of
multiple threads, for example when rendering videos or 3D content.
The latest-generation AMD CPUs with Zen4 architecture excel in power
efficiency, as well as feature the AMD XDNA™ AI Engine that enhances
usability by enabling better handling of many everyday and advanced
artificial intelligence functions.
AMD also offers discrete GPUs. Some laptop makers take advantage of
a combination of AMD components to deliver exceptional performance
and attractive prices.
Deciphering Key CPU Spec Sheet Details
To choose a suitable processor, you will need to learn how to
compare various specs. Below are some key specs to consider.
Clock Speed
Clock speed describes the operating frequency of the CPU. This
translates into how many instructions the processor can run per
second. Measured in gigahertz (GHz), generally the higher this
number, the better.
Usually, you will find two numbers on the spec sheet: the base
clock, and boost clock. The latter refers to the maximum frequency
the CPU can reach temporarily to run especially heavy tasks.
Nowadays, most CPUs run at 2.0 GHz or more as a base clock, which is
enough for most casual users. More advanced users, such as light
content creators, casual gamers, or multitaskers would be more
comfortable with 3.0 GHz or more. For power users, it’s best if the
CPU can be boosted to above 5.0 GHz.
However, since so many factors contribute to the equation of the
processor's performance, clock speed doesn't tell the whole story.
Core Count
Another important spec is the core count of the CPU. In general, the
higher this number, the better the ability of the CPU to run
multiple processes in parallel.
For most casual users, four or six cores would be adequate. More
advanced users will probably be better off going with at least six
cores. For power users, eight will likely prove to be the minimum.
If needed, AMD offers up to 16-core CPUs.
Thread Count
The number of sequences a CPU can run at once is called a thread
count. Many modern laptop CPUs can run more than one thread on each
core. In the case of the latest generation of AMD processors, this
number is usually double the core count.
Thread counts of at least eight are typically recommended for casual
users. No fewer than 12 threads are the recommended minimum for more
advanced users, and 16 threads or above for power users.
Built-In Graphics
Most laptop CPUs come with an integrated graphics processing unit
(GPU) to handle the graphical tasks. Though not as powerful as the
dedicated GPUs featured in performance laptops, the integrated
graphics are capable of handling everyday tasks.
For many users, an integrated GPU is perfectly adequate. To
determine how powerful the integrated graphics are, look at the GPU
core count. The higher the number is, the better. However, you will
notice that some of the most powerful integrated graphics processors
will have a rather small number of graphics cores. This is true
because it is understood that power users typically opt for more
powerful laptops that support dedicated GPUs, so there is no need
for robust integrated graphics.
Benchmark Performance
Benchmarks provide valuable insights into CPU performance under
real-life scenarios and even extreme conditions. They are primarily
only useful for power users, since understanding them can be
complex. Most typical users won’t need to bother with running such
tests. If you are curious to learn about CPU benchmarking, however,
visit the
Geekbench website
to learn more about one of the most popular, free benchmarking
options. You can also research other benchmarks yourself — there is
plenty of free info online.
AMD CPU Offerings
AMD uses a tiered naming convention to help users easily choose the
right CPU.
The most common line of AMD CPUs available in laptops Is the AMD
Ryzen™ offering. It’s tiered into four levels: 3, 5, 7, and 9. As a
rule of thumb, the higher the number, the more powerful the CPU.
If you’d like to dig deeper, look into the other information
provided in the specific product name. As of 2023, AMD CPU names are
composed of five segments.
The first digit refers to the portfolio model year. AMD releases new
CPUs every year or so, with the 2023 generation denoted by 7 in the
first part of the name.
The second digit signifies the product tier. Ranging from one to
nine, it reflects the market segment (e.g., Ryzen™ 5 CPUs will
usually have number 5 in the second place of the product name).
The next digit reflects the processor architecture. AMD's latest
proprietary Zen 4 architecture will have the number 4 as the third
digit, for example.
The fourth digit helps further differentiate CPUs within the
segment. The upper models within the segment will feature a number 5
in the fourth position, while the lower models will usually be
denoted with 0.
Finally, there is a one- or two-letter code for the form factor and
TDP (Thermal Design Power). For most Windows-based laptops, this
will be U for Premium Ultrathin, HS for Thin Gaming or Creator, and
HX for Max Performance. This letter code provides a good idea of
what purpose the CPU was designed for.
Our Recommendations
If you’re still not sure which AMD laptop CPU is the perfect fit for
you, below is a little cheat sheet.
AMD Ryzen™ 7 7730U mobile processor
is a great option for casual users and on-the-go professionals. It’s
an 8-core, 16-thread processor with a 16 MB cache that can be
boosted to up to 4.5 GHz. This CPU was designed specifically for
premium ultrathin laptops and strikes a perfect balance between
optimal power and energy efficiency. You can find it in many ASUS
laptops, such as the
ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED
AMD Ryzen™ 7 7735HS mobile processor
is a good option for casual gamers. Its 8 cores and 16 threads
handle everyday tasks and games very well, even when on the go. It
has 16 MB of L3 cache and can be boosted to up to 4.7 GHz clock
speed when you need a little extra push. Laptops like the
TUF Gaming A16 Advantage™ Edition
combine the power of this CPU with AMD’s own Radeon™ RX 7600S
discrete GPU to give you a competitive. You can also choose the same
laptop with an AMD Ryzen™ 9 7940HS mobile processor and AMD Radeon™
RX 7700S GPU for added power.
AMD Ryzen™ 7 7840HS mobile processor
is a great example of a CPU well suited for light content creators
and multitaskers. With 8 cores and 16 threads, as well as 3.8 GHz
base clock speed that can be boosted to up to 5.1 GHz, it provides
all the power you need to start a creative journey or multitask
efficiently. One example of a laptop equipped with this CPU is an
ASUS Vivobook Pro 15 OLED. The same laptop is also available with a higher-tiered AMD Ryzen™
9 7940HS processor, providing even more power.
AMD Ryzen™ 9 7945HX mobile processor
is a beast of a laptop CPU, best fitted for serious gamers and
professional content creators. This 16-core, 32-thread CPU offers 64
MB of cache memory and can be boosted to breathtaking 5.4 GHz clock
speed for an ultimate edge — no matter whether in gaming or content
creation. You can find this CPU in the ROG’s gaming laptop
powerhouse — the
ROG Strix SCAR 17.
Find Your Best Fit
Laptops with AMD CPUs prove especially suitable for on-the-go
multitaskers and content creators. If this description fits you, be
sure to check out the ASUS laptops powered by AMD Ryzen™ processors
to find your next laptop.
Explore AMD-powered ASUS Laptops