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AMD Ryzen 7000 Laptop CPU's

The Game Changer in Portable Computing

In 2022, AMD rolled out its first ever Ryzen 7000 Series laptop CPUs. This debut line, nicknamed 'Mendocino', is engineered for standard, day-to-day laptops, with a mix of basic Athlon chips and standard Ryzen 3 and 5 processors:

- Ryzen 5 7520U features 4 cores and 8 threads, with a maximum clock speed of 4.3GHz, 6Mb cache and 8-15W TDP.
- Ryzen 3 7320U has the same number of cores and threads, but with a maximum clock speed of 4.1GHz.
- Athlon Gold 7220U, the basic version, carries 2 cores and 4 threads, and can reach a maximum clock speed of 3.7GHz.

These processors are built on an improved version of Zen 2 architecture and use a 6nm process. They don't shift to 5nm yet. AMD emphasizes that these processors are particularly advantageous in terms of battery life, claiming up to 12 hours of usage depending on factors like battery size, screen size and brightness.

These CPUs work in conjunction with Radeon 610M integrated graphics, which AMD asserts can support 720p gaming at over 60fps, provide support for up to four screens, and accommodate DDR5 RAM.

Comparatively, AMD suggests that its new Ryzen 3 7320U performs up to 80% better in file compression, 57% better in multitasking, and 31% faster in "office productivity" compared to Intel’s 11th-gen core i3-1115G4. Furthermore, the Ryzen CPUs are said to boost app launch speed by up to 31%.

However, the major unveiling of new CPUs took place at CES 2023. These CPUs are grouped into the Ryzen 7030, 7035, 7040 and 7045 series, designed for varying grades of laptops ranging from thin and light, to extreme gaming and content creation. Each series comes with different specifications related to architecture, cores/threads, cache, memory, and node size. 

The Ryzen 7045 Series, based on Zen 4 architecture with a 5nm node, steals the spotlight. It is introduced as the 'Dragon Range', targeted at high-performance laptops capable of AAA gaming and other intensive tasks. It includes top-tier CPUs like the Ryzen 9-7945X, with an impressive 16 performance cores and 32 threads.

The Ryzen 7040 and 7035 series may not have the same flashiness as the 7045 but are slated for inclusion in premium laptops that are more affordable. The Ryzen 7040U Series CPUs, which rolled out in May 2023, are tailored for thin, lightweight devices and aim to significantly enhance both performance and energy efficiency.

Then, the 6nm Ryzen and Athlon 7020 C-Series processors were launched specifically for Chromebooks. These are not high-end processors but are intended to outperform existing affordable Chromebook CPUs.

June 2023 saw the arrival of Ryzen Pro 7040 Series, CPUs crafted specifically for business laptops and mobile workstations. They promise top-tier specs, power efficiency, and the ability to perform better than Apple's M2.

  • Ryzen 9 Pro 7940HS: This is the flagship CPU in the Ryzen Pro 7040 series. With 8 cores and 16 threads, it offers high processing capabilities for professional laptop users. The CPU can reach a maximum clock speed of 5.2GHz, which is quite impressive and could enable speedy execution of complex tasks. The large 24Mb cache allows for quick data access and improved multitasking. Moreover, it operates within a 35-54W TDP (Thermal Design Power) range, which means it's designed to be power efficient while still offering high performance.

  • Ryzen 7 Pro 7840HS and Ryzen 7 Pro 7840U: These CPUs are a step down from the Ryzen 9 Pro 7940HS, but they are still very powerful. With 8 cores and 16 threads each, they are capable of handling demanding professional workloads. The only difference between the two is their TDP: the 7840HS is designed for a TDP of 35-54W, while the 7840U operates at a more energy-efficient 15-28W TDP. They both have a max clock speed of 5.1GHz and a large 24Mb cache for efficient task management.

  • Ryzen 5 Pro 7640HS and Ryzen 5 Pro 7640U: These are mid-range CPUs in the Ryzen Pro 7040 series, ideal for mainstream professional users. They feature 6 cores and 12 threads and are capable of reaching a maximum clock speed of up to 5.0GHz and 4.9GHz respectively. The 22Mb cache allows for efficient multitasking. Just like the Ryzen 7 series, the HS and U variants of Ryzen 5 Pro 7640 differ in their TDP - the 7640HS operates at a TDP of 35-54W, while the 7640U operates within a 15-28W TDP, making it more energy-efficient.

  • Ryzen 5 Pro 7540U: This is the entry-level CPU in the Ryzen Pro 7040 series but still offers robust performance for general business users. It has 6 cores and 12 threads, with a maximum clock speed of 4.9GHz. It also features a 22Mb cache for quick data access. The CPU operates within a 15-28W TDP, ensuring good performance without excessive power usage.

All of these CPUs, with their high thread counts and clock speeds, are likely to provide excellent performance for business and professional use. They're particularly designed for multitasking and handling heavy workloads, such as complex data processing, video editing, or 3D modeling. Furthermore, the integration of AMD's latest Zen 4 architecture and Radeon 780M graphics along with a built-in AI engine could help to deliver a smooth and responsive user experience, making these CPUs a strong contender in the laptop market.

Simultaneously, AMD rolled out the Ryzen Pro 7000 Series for desktops, featuring processors that amalgamate Zen 4 CPU architecture with RDNA 2 GPU architecture, targeted at professional use.

To add to the advancements, starting from the Ryzen 7000 Series, AMD introduced a new naming system for its processors. This is to accommodate the surge of new SOCs being developed.

Based on AMD's assertions and technical specifications, it's apparent that the Ryzen 7000 Series holds immense promise both for desktops and laptops. They are poised to challenge Intel's dominance, which also revealed most of its 13th-gen Raptor Lake CPUs at CES 2023.