CES 2023: new notebook CPUs from AMD and Intel

AMD's new mobile processors are the first to use models with Zen 4 architecture and RDNA 3 graphics. However, as is the case every year, the new Ryzen 7000 CPUs also include variants with previous-generation architectures. The third digit in the model designation corresponds to the architecture. If you want to get Zen 4, look out for a 4. 3 stands for Zen 3 or Zen 3+ and 2 for Zen 2.

This year's most powerful AMD CPUs come from the 7045 series (Dragon Range), which comes with RDNA 2 for graphics. Led by the Ryzen 9 7945HX, which is designed to compete with the HX processors of Intel's 13th generation. The TDP of the 7945HX is 55 watts, but can be configured higher by the manufacturer. It has 16 cores, 32 threads, 64 megabytes of L3 cache and a boost of up to 5.4 gigahertz.

The 7045 series are modified desktop processors that are soldered on and have a lower TDP than the original. For example, the mobile 7945HX corresponds to a Ryzen 9 7950X from the desktop sector - both manufactured using the same 5-nanometre manufacturing process. In contrast, the new 7040 series (Phoenix) has a little something extra to offer, as it is manufactured using the completely new, better 4-nanometre process.

The 7040s are powerful processors that are suitable for thinner notebooks. In terms of graphics, they now have RDNA 3 on board - the iGPU offers up to twelve compute units, as with RDNA 2. The Phoenix CPUs are also the first with x86 processor architecture to feature an engine for accelerating AI algorithms. The best Phoenix processor is the Ryzen 9 7940HS with 8 cores, 16 threads, 32 megabytes of L3 cache and a boost of up to 5.2 gigahertz. Its TDP is 35 to 45 watts.

Here is an overview of all the new AMD processors in the Dragon Range and Phoenix series - i.e. all with Zen 4 architecture:

U models from the Phoenix series will follow later in the year. The first notebooks with the new Ryzen 7000 can be expected from February.

Intel unleashes the Raptor

The 13th generation of mobile Intel processors (Raptor Lake) offers up to 24 cores. As with the 12th generation, these are divided into efficiency and performance cores (big.LITTLE architecture). The CPUs are divided into the HX, H, P, U and N series. Whereby HX and H characterise the powerful processors for gaming and the like. The 10 nanometre Enhanced Superfin process is used in production. The chip also features Intel's UHD Graphics for 13th Gen with up to 32 execution units.

Intel's new flagship is the Core i9-13980HX - the first 24-core for notebooks. It has 16 efficiency cores, 8 performance cores, 32 threads and 36 megabytes of L3 cache. Its maximum boost is 5.6 gigahertz. The TDP can range from 55 to 157 watts. According to Intel, it should deliver up to 11 per cent more single-thread performance and up to 49 per cent more multitasking performance compared to the previous generation. In games, performance is said to increase by 12 per cent.

Here is an overview of Intel's mobile 13th Gen CPUs from the HX and H series:

More 13th Gen CPU models will follow later in the year. The first notebooks will probably be launched on the market in February.