Even though AMD was the first to launch 64-bit desktop CPUs in 2003, the company has been a step behind Intel throughout the competition. However, things started to change when AMD launched the first-generation Ryzen series in 2017. If you’re looking to buy a Windows laptop or desktop CPU powered by AMD technology, be sure to understand AMD’s naming conventions so you can choose the processor that’s best for you.
AMD CPU names confusing? Take you to decipher the mysterious naming
Are you confused between AMD Ryzen 7 7730U and Ryzen 7 7840S CPU? What is the difference between Ryzen 7950X and Ryzen 7900X? Continue reading this article and you will learn more about AMD’s product naming scheme, including the differences in processor suffixes that distinguish them.
Understanding the AMD Ryzen Segmentation
AMD launched its Ryzen series of CPUs in 2017. Before we analyze the naming scheme of AMD’s mobile and desktop processors in detail, let’s take a look at what’s in its product portfolio.
- AMD Ryzen 3
Mainly targeted at daily productivity tasks. It offers smooth media streaming and is good enough for entry-level games. - AMD Ryzen 5
Ideal for casual gaming, basic image and video editing, and online streaming with higher audio and video quality. - AMD Ryzen 7
It can run demanding games, edit RAW photos and 4K videos with ease, and it can stream 4K HDR videos without a hitch. - AMD Ryzen 9
The pinnacle flagship of AMD’s product line, it can easily run triple-A blockbuster games and quickly complete complex 3D renderings and other demanding tasks.
In addition, AMD also has the Threadripper series, but this series is quite expensive and strictly targeted at a small audience with professional workstations, and will not be used by general consumers.
AMD’s mobile processor naming scheme
AMD has completely revised the naming method of mobile processors from the end of 2022. When you want to buy a new AMD laptop, it will be more convenient to understand the naming method. When you see two AMD laptops with the same appearance but each equipped with 7730U and 7640U processors, you can more easily spot their differences and choose the better device.
Like the old naming method, AMD still uses a combination of four-digit numbers and letter suffixes. Each number and suffix has a specific meaning. The following figure is a general table that you can take a look at first, and then we will break it down and explain.
first number: year
The first number indicates the year the processor model was launched. For example, if the first digit is 7, it’s a 2023 model; similarly, the letter 8 shows that the CPU was launched in 2024, and so on. AMD says this is a faster and more intuitive way for the average consumer to identify when a CPU is coming out.
Second number: series
The second number refers to the processor family. For example, if an AMD CPU has a 5 or 6 in the second digit, it is part of the Ryzen 5 series; a Ryzen 7 series can have a 7 or 8 in the second digit; and finally, a Ryzen 9 can use an 8 or a 9 in the second digit. For example, if the 7945HX is part of the Ryzen 9 series.
Third number: Processor architecture
This is more interesting. The third digit represents the architecture of AMD processors. The company uses “Zen” to represent the process in nanometers. For example, if the third digit is 3, the CPU is based on the older Zen 3 / Zen 3+ (7nm/6nm) architecture. The latest Zen 4 CPUs come in third place, and they are built on AMD’s most advanced 5nm process.
The fourth number: breakdown of different processors in the same series
The last number further differentiates the different processors. Let’s take the 7730U and 7735U as examples. Both belong to the Ryzen 7 series. However, the former is a 15W CPU with a base clock of 2GHz and a maximum clock of 4.5GHz; the latter is a 28W CPU with a base clock of 2.7GHz and a maximum clock of 4.75GHz. There is also a difference in the number of graphics cores, with 8 on the 7730U and 12 on the 7735U.
Suffixes and their meanings
Finally, the last letter in AMD mobile processors is TDP (Thermal Design Power) in watts, which refers to power consumption under maximum load, and we’ve sorted out what each suffix letter means.
- E (9W): Basically a fanless version of the U-series CPU, mostly used in affordable consumer laptops.
- C (15 – 28W): Designed for energy-efficient Chromebook devices.
- U (15 – 28W): Processor suitable for thin and light low-clock laptops.
- HS (35W+): A high-performance CPU with built-in graphics and lower power consumption.
- HX (55W+): Offers the highest performance in AMD’s mobile processor family.
AMD Desktop Processor Naming
AMD’s naming of desktop processors is completely different from that of laptops, and there is no comparison. For example, the 7000 series of desktop processors (like the 7950X, 7900X, 7700X, etc.) are based on the Zen 4 architecture and don’t really follow the same naming scheme as mobile processors.
The first number indicates the processor family, for example the Ryzen 7xxx series is the successor to the Ryzen 5xxx series and offers AMD’s latest architecture. The second number represents the performance level of the processor in the series, basically indicating the difference in clock speeds, for example, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600GT is better than the Ryzen 5 5500GT (which has a 4.6GHz base clock vs. a 4.4GHz top clock). The third and fourth numbers show a further difference between the processors, with the Ryzen 9 7940HX (base clock 2.4GHz/maximum clock 5.4GHz) and the 7945HX (base clock 2.5GHz/maximum clock 5.2GHz), with the latter listed as the slightly better processor due to having higher top and bottom clocks.
AMD Ryzen Desktop CPU Suffixes and Their Meanings
- F: Does not include built-in graphics card.
- G: APU with high-performance AMD Ryzen built-in graphics.
- GE: Integrated AMD Radeon graphics card, but with lower performance.
- X: Has faster clock speeds and higher power consumption.
- XT: Slightly better than X due to higher clock speed.
- X3D: Equipped with AMD 3D V-Cache technology to provide better gaming performance.
- S: Prioritizes efficiency and features built-in AMD Radeon Vega graphics.
Source: KOCPC Chinese