AMD Ryzen 7 5800H
The AMD Ryzen 7 5800H is a new Zen 3-based APU, anticipated to be a central component of AMD's gaming laptop platform. Following its predecessor, the 4800H, the Ryzen 7 5800H is expected to be popular in various laptop models. This review focuses on this high-end mainstream laptop chip's performance and capabilities.
Technical Specifications
Core Architecture and Performance Enhancements
The Ryzen 7 5800H brings significant improvements over the 4800H, including a unified 8-core CCX and double the L3 cache. It benefits from Zen 3's increased IPC (instructions per clock) for CPU cores and slightly higher clock speeds, all while using the same TSMC 7nm process node. These enhancements position the 5800H for superior performance in gaming and multitasking scenarios.
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Processor and GPU Details
Featuring an unlocked 8-core and 16-thread design, the Ryzen 7 5800H has a 3.2 GHz base clock and can boost up to 4.4 GHz. While it slightly trails behind the flagship 5900HX and 5980HX in clock speeds, it compensates with an unlocked Vega GPU design, including 8 compute units clocked up to 2.0 GHz. The GPU improvements, along with the increased CPU performance, indicate a substantial leap over the previous generation.
Comparative Analysis
Improvements Over Previous Generation
Comparing the Ryzen 7 5800H to the 4800H, the newer APU shows a 300 MHz increase in base clock and a 200 MHz increase in boost clock. The additional L3 cache and increased IPC are the primary contributors to its enhanced performance. The integrated GPU also sees a boost with one extra compute unit and a significant frequency increase.
Test Setup and Benchmarking
Laptop Test System and Power Management
The XMG Apex 17, used previously for testing the GeForce RTX 3060 laptop GPU, serves as the test system for benchmarking the Ryzen 7 5800H. The laptop's 'Entertainment' mode aligns with AMD's specifications, offering a temporary boost up to 54W before stabilizing at the default 45W TDP. Additionally, a performance mode sustains 54W indefinitely, providing a potential performance boost.
Normalizing for Power in Benchmarks
As with all laptop testing, the review aims to normalize power to maintain a fair comparison between different laptop CPUs. This approach ensures that the performance metrics are reflective of the processor's capabilities under standardized conditions.
Gaming Performance
Integrated GPU Performance
While the focus of the review is not on integrated GPU performance, it's noted that the Ryzen 7 5800H's graphics are similar to the 4800H. In most configurations, the 5800H will be paired with a discrete GPU, making the integrated graphics less critical for gaming performance. However, for those interested in integrated GPU capabilities:
Specific Game Performance
In games like GTA V and Gears 5, the 5800H performs comparably to the 5980HS. The higher sustained clock speeds enabled by the power limit contribute to slightly better performance in Gears 5, though it doesn't quite reach the level of Intel's Xe designs.
Conclusion: Ryzen 7 5800H in the Gaming Laptop Market
Final Assessment
The AMD Ryzen 7 5800H emerges as a powerful and efficient processor for gaming laptops. With its advancements over the previous generation, including improved core architecture and enhanced GPU capabilities, it offers a compelling choice for high-end gaming laptops. The review underscores the 5800H's ability to deliver high frame rates and robust multitasking performance, making it a strong competitor in the gaming laptop processor market. Its combination of power, efficiency, and gaming prowess positions it as a top choice for gamers seeking a balance of performance and portability.