The announcement of the AMD Ryzen 8040 HS mobile APUs has sparked significant interest in the world of mobile computing. This article delves into the highly anticipated “Hawk Point” series, showcasing the innovative Zen 4 architecture that is poised to revolutionize laptop performance.
Our focus is to unravel the features, specs, expected performance, and potential release date of these advanced APUs, providing a comprehensive understanding of what they offer. Through this article, we aim to guide you through the intricate details of the Ryzen 8040 HS series, helping you gauge its impact on your computing experience.
AMD Ryzen 8040 HS mobile APUs: Release date
AMD has taken a bold step by unveiling its new Zen 4 mobile processors, the Ryzen Mobile 8040 series, ahead of the CES 2024 event. This early reveal has set the stage for what promises to be a landmark year in mobile computing.
AMD has targeted the first quarter of 2024 for the official launch of the Ryzen 8040 HS mobile series. With the CES 2024 scheduled from January 9th to 12th, expectations are high for a more detailed showcase of the Ryzen 8040 HS series. This platform is likely to be where AMD will captivate a worldwide audience with the Ryzen 8040 mobile APUs.
AMD Ryzen 8040 HS mobile APUs: Expected Performance
Although AMD’s advancements are promising, real-world performance can vary. During their Advancing AI event, AMD announced that these new processors offer up to a 1.4X increase in efficiency on certain generative AI workloads.
In terms of specific enhancements, AMD highlighted a 1.4X increase in performance on the Llama 2 and Vision Maker generative AI benchmarks when compared to their Ryzen 7040 series. This improvement is attributed to increased NPU frequencies and efficiency. However, AMD has not yet disclosed the exact clock rates for the NPU, leaving some details to speculation.
The company ran tests on nine different gaming titles, including popular games like Borderlands 3, Far Cry 6, and Hitman 3. These tests were designed to create a comprehensive metric for gaming performance. AMD claims that their new processor is 1.8X faster than the Intel Core i9-13900H in 1080p gaming with low fidelity settings.
Furthermore, they report a 1.1X improvement over the 13900H in multi-threaded benchmarks like Cinebench R23 and Geekbench 6, and up to a 1.4X increase in various content creation workloads, such as Blender and PCMark 10.
AMD Ryzen 8040 HS mobile APUs: Specs
The AMD Ryzen 8040 HS mobile APUs, while a part of the new “Hawk Point” series, are not entirely new regarding their silicon or architectural design. Essentially, AMD has refreshed their existing ‘Phoenix’ APUs and repackaged them into this latest lineup. These APUs utilize the TSMC-built 4 nm Zen 4 cores, which remain AMD’s flagship mobile CPU architecture.
The Ryzen 8040HS series adds five new models to AMD’s mobile product lineup, including the high-end Ryzen 9 8945HS with eight Zen 4 cores, the Ryzen 7 8845HS with eight Zen 4 cores, and the Ryzen 5 8645HS with six Zen 4 cores. Additionally, there are two lower-powered 28 W models: the Ryzen 7 8840HS and the Ryzen 5 8640HS.
Comparison table: AMD Ryzen 8040 HS mobile APUs
| Processor Model | Cores/Threads | Base Frequency (MHz) | Boost Frequency (MHz) | GPU Architecture | GPU Frequency (MHz) | L3 Cache (MB) | TDP Range (W) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 9 8945HS | 8/16 | 4,000 | 5,200 | RDNA 3 / 12 CUs | 2,800 | 16 | 35-54 |
| Ryzen 9 7940HS | 8/16 | 4,000 | 5,200 | RDNA 3 / 12 CUs | 2,800 | 16 | 35-54 |
| Ryzen 7 8845HS | 8/16 | 3,800 | 5,100 | RDNA 3 / 12 CUs | 2,700 | 16 | 35-45 |
| Ryzen 7 8840HS | 8/16 | 3,300 | 5,100 | RDNA 3 / 12 CUs | 2,700 | 16 | 20-30 |
| Ryzen 7 7840HS | 8/16 | 3,800 | 5,100 | RDNA 3 / 12 CUs | 2,700 | 16 | 35-54 |
| Ryzen 5 8645HS | 6/12 | 4,300 | 5,000 | RDNA 3 / 8 CUs | 2,600 | 16 | 35-54 |
| Ryzen 5 8640HS | 6/12 | 3,500 | 4,900 | RDNA 3 / 8 CUs | 2,600 | 16 | 20-30 |
| Ryzen 5 7640HS | 6/12 | 4,300 | 5,000 | RDNA 3 / 8 CUs | 2,600 | 16 | 35-54 |
The top-tier Ryzen 9 8945HS boasts a base frequency of 4 GHz and can turbo up to 5.2 GHz. When compared to its predecessor, the Ryzen 9 7940HS, there are no notable differences in specifications based on the information AMD has released. This includes identical core/turbo frequencies, core count, and the 16 MB of L3 cache.
Across all five SKUs in the Ryzen Mobile 8040HS series, AMD has included its XDNA-based NPU, known as ‘Ryzen AI,’ designed for AI inferencing. Interestingly, while the Ryzen 7040 series (Phoenix) CPUs physically had the NPU, it wasn’t enabled in most models. The NPU itself is not new hardware; it uses Xilinx IP, now part of AMD following their acquisition of Xilinx.
AMD Ryzen 8040 HS mobile APUs: Ryzen AI
AMD’s Ryzen 8040 HS mobile APUs mark a significant advancement in the AI sector with the introduction of the Ryzen AI Software suite. This innovative software simplifies the deployment of AI models, enabling users to easily utilize pre-trained machine-learning models from frameworks like PyTorch or TensorFlow.
The Ryzen AI Software, currently available for free and compatible with Windows, is a major step in democratizing AI technology. AMD also provides a pre-optimized model zoo on Hugging Face, offering a range of ready-to-use models for various applications. A Linux version of the software is also in development, set to expand the reach of AMD’s AI tools to a wider audience soon.
AMD Ryzen 8040 HS mobile APUs: Final thoughts
While refreshes in the tech world often carry a reputation for being less than groundbreaking, the AMD Ryzen 8040 HS mobile APUs break this mold by offering noteworthy features at what is expected to be a reasonable price point. This expectation stems from the company’s history of providing powerful features and performance at competitive prices.
To sum up, the AMD Ryzen 8040 HS series may not seem like a dramatic overhaul when looking solely at the specs, but it promises some improvements in performance and efficiency. It’s an upgrade that promises enhanced capabilities, especially in AI and gaming, making it a worthwhile consideration for those seeking the latest advancements in mobile computing technology.
What is the meaning of HS in AMD processors?
The HS designation in AMD processors, such as in the AMD Ryzen 8040 HS mobile APUs, indicates a focus on delivering higher performance in slimmer chassis designs. This series is tailored for those who seek a balance between powerful performance and portability. The HS models are engineered to provide robust processing capabilities while being suitable for sleek, lightweight laptop designs.
Can you overclock a Ryzen mobile chip?
Yes, Ryzen mobile processors are designed to be overclock-ready. However, it’s essential to check if your laptop’s motherboard supports this feature. AMD provides the Ryzen Master utility, which is a dedicated tool for overclocking Ryzen CPUs. It’s important to note that while overclocking can enhance performance, it should be done with caution.
