It is challenging to distinguish between mobile processors, whether they are made by Intel or AMD, just by looking at a list of numbers. Is it possible to tell the difference between the Core i5-1240P and i5-12450H? or Ryzen 5900X and Ryzen 5900HX? As we move down the line, the process gets much more difficult. Similar to AMD, Ryzen 5700U is a Zen 2 CPU, whereas 5800U is a Zen 3 processor, and both are available in the same lineup. AMD has unveiled a new naming strategy for its Ryzen mobile processors in an effort to make this procedure simpler, however as we will see in the article, this scheme is so convoluted that a decoder ring is required to decipher it. Having stated that, let’s get started and learn how AMD’s new Ryzen CPU naming system functions.
AMD s New Ryzen CPU Naming Scheme (2022)
In this post, we’ll explore AMD’s decision to alter their processor naming convention. While their previous system was confusing in some ways, it was also comparable to their archrival Intel and easier to grasp. Furthermore, we would like to take advantage of this chance to examine the new Ryzen mobile processor naming convention and assess how it fails to recognise the primary problem users have with processor classifications.
What Is AMD s Current CPU Naming Scheme Like?
Let’s take a quick look at the current system of classification for AMD’s mobile chips before we examine the new nomenclature scheme. When we examine AMD’s current array of mobile CPUs, the first thing we notice is that the new naming standard replaces an already perplexing practise.
There are numerous older Ryzen mobile processors available. A staggered naming method is used in some generations, such as the Ryzen 4000 (Zen 2) and Ryzen 6000 (Zen 3+) series, where some mobile processors have a higher series number for their product name than the same generation desktop SKUs. Others, such as the Ryzen 3000 (Zen+) and Ryzen 5000 (Zen 3 CPUs), use completely distinct production processes despite having the same numbers as the desktop chip.
Anyway, putting the difficulties with process nodes aside, let’s break down the present system for naming Ryzen mobile processors. We’ll utilise the top Ryzen 6000 CPU from the most recent generation, the Ryzen 9 6980HX, as an illustration. The Ryzen 9 component designates the processor’s position in AMD’s hierarchy, which is somewhat akin to Intel’s (i3, i5, and i7). The Ryzen 9 puts the chip at the top of the series, which is composed of the Ryzen 3, Ryzen 5, Ryzen 7, and Ryzen 9 tiers.
The sixth element, which is the next one, denotes the generation, in this case the sixth generation. The chip is positioned in relation to other Ryzen 9 CPUs from the sixth generation in the following 9. Therefore, a 6980HX will perform better than a 6780HX. The last two digits are just differentiators, and they are almost invariably 00 or a step-up multiple of 5 or 10 if the previous number isn’t sufficiently illustrative. This is how AMD distinguishes its PRO series from its regular processors. As an illustration, consider the Ryzen 7 PRO 5875U, where the 5 often designates an ultra-low-power processor for mobile use.
How about the letters following the digits in the chip name? The power class that the mobile chips fall under is indicated by these letters. U represents for ultra-portable AMD Ryzen chips (15-28W), His for high-power mobile AMD Ryzen chips (35-45W), and the HX stands for high-performance overclockable mobile AMD Ryzen chips (55W) with the highest power needs.
The Ryzen lineup’s H-class CPUs are designed for workstations, laptops with discrete graphics, and notebooks with standard power. The U-class CPUs often rely on on-chip graphics and are designed for thin and light notebooks. The current processor naming convention for AMD’s mainstream mobile APUs looks like this: Microarchitecture Device Generation model example (First Gen) Series ZenRyzen 2000 RAM 2800H (Second gen) Series 3000 of Zen+Ryzen Core i7 3750H (Third Gen) Ryzen 4000 series, Zen 2 Core i7-4800H (Third Gen) Ryzen 5000 series, Zen 2. Core i7 5700U (Fourth Gen) Ryzen 5000 series and Zen 3 AMD Ryzen 7 5800H (Fifth Gen) Ryzen 6000 series plus Zen 3 6980HX Ryzen 9
As you can see, there has been a perplexing complexity with these CPUs because several alternative Zen architectures have appeared in the same Ryzen generation. And as a result, you get two classes of chips that sound similar but have extremely distinct internals and efficiency. Buyers will find it particularly challenging to differentiate between the processors unless they have a strong background in computer technology.
New Ryzen CPU Naming Scheme: What s the Plan?
AMD believed that current naming method was inadequate in the light of this muddled nomenclature and classification. Robert Hallock, AMD’s director of technical marketing, recently wrote on his blog about this idea. Locke acknowledged the problem and stated that the Ryzen Mobile Processors’ present naming scheme was coming to an end. It was simply unable to handle the rush of new SOCs in the developing categories.
He continued by saying that the new naming scheme of the corporation was introduced at a time when the previous one had different processing families with varying capabilities existing in the same generation. AMD plans to address this with their new naming scheme. Hallock asserted that the new system will be both complex and simple in a way that will allow aficionados to understand the numbers’ meanings while also making it simple enough for the general user to understand that a higher number simply denotes more CPU performance.
So, why now is the question that everyone will be asking. We contend that while the drawbacks of earlier name conventions may be one of the major elements affecting this choice, the bigger factor is the potential AMD hopes to unleash with this new naming convention. AMD’s announcement coincided with their assertion that in just two years, the number of notebook shipments featuring Ryzen chips had increased 49%. It only makes sense for businesses to embrace a system that aids in their further growth as the mobile market becomes more crucial to them.
When Does AMD Start Using the New Name Scheme?
According to AMD, the new naming convention will be utilised beginning in 2023 and will be applicable to all 7000 series mobile CPUs, which will cover five distinct market groups and utilise five separate SOCs. The Phoenix and Dragon Range Ryzen 7000 CPUs will be the first chip.
Additionally, AMD has stated that the new numbering scheme is a long-term undertaking and will serve as the basis for their mobile processors for many years to come. We may anticipate that this naming scheme will remain in use until at least 2027 because they claim to have previously smoke-tested it against a 5-year schedule.
Naturally, AMD intends to use the new system to distinguish its future Zen 4-based Ryzen 7000 series processors starting in 2023. New motherboard chipsets for processors in the 7000 series were introduced by the business. The current system just wouldn’t be able to handle all these many models and makes of these new generation CPUs, which have so many different varieties. The blog post served as a kind of primer at that point, informing us that the new processor generation will bring fresh ideas to the table.
How the New AMD Ryzen Mobile CPU Naming Scheme Works?
Let’s examine what’s new with the new Ryzen mobile processor naming strategy now that we’ve discussed the current-gen naming method and the necessity for a change. According to AMD, each digit in the model number denotes a specific feature of the chip, and when read collectively, can provide all the necessary details about the processor. Is it accurate, and how exact are these details? The new naming convention for Ryzen mobile processors will be explained below.
The new naming scheme is, first of all, pretty similar to the existing one, as can be seen in the image below. The processor name continues to have a four-digit number followed by a letter suffix, where the numbers denote the processor generation and the letters denote architecture and power. The new nomenclature, according to AMD, will make it simpler for enthusiasts to comprehend how strong a certain Ryzen mobile CPU is.
- The first digit here describes the generation s model year. So 7 is for 2023, 8 is for 2024, and so on. AMD believes this will help people identify when the chip was originally launched and sold.
- The second digit explains the family of processors. We will use 1 for Athlon Silver, 2 for Athlon Gold, and so on. In general, each family should have two potential digits: Ryzen 5 chips will be 5 and 6, and Ryzen 7 will be 7 and 8 . Ryzen 9 chips, though, will share 8 with Ryzen 7 and have their own number, 9.
- The third digit will explain the processor architecture. Here, 2 stands for Zen 2, 3 for Zen 3 and Zen 3+, and 4 for Zen 4. This is a wholly new approach, which might be the biggest change in the naming scheme, as it will allow many different architectures to exist in the same processor generation. For example, the new Ryzen 7640U processor will be based on Zen 4 architecture. But this approach does give AMD the flexibility to include both Zen 3 and Zen 2-based CPUs in the Ryzen 7000 series.
- The fourth digit, the last one, is purely a feature differentiator. It will be used to isolate the upper and lower models of a given processor. Now, we don t have an answer to what this will entail, but it could theoretically work as an aspect of distinction if, let s say, there is an intermediatory step-up in the architecture from Zen 3 to Zen 3+.
- Finally, AMD will be using the same U (15 to 28 watts), HS (35 watts), and HX (55-watt or above) suffixes with its Ryzen 7000 mobile processors to distinguish the overarching power class.
Additionally, AMD unveiled C and E, two brand-new additions to the power class. According to the blog post, the C suffix will be used for CPUs that are developed specifically for Chromebooks rather than Windows and that are power-efficient. And the upcoming 9-watt low-power CPUs, which will probably be utilised in ultra-portable notebooks, will bear the E suffix. AMD uses a common decoder wheel (Photo credit: PC Mag)
What About the Naming of AMD s Desktop Processors?
Many of you are probably asking if the new naming convention solely applies to AMD Ryzen mobile processors at this point. Why, if so? To yet, AMD has no plans to alter the nomenclature for its desktop portfolio and will only roll out this new naming scheme for its mobile CPUs beginning in 2023.
This was confirmed when AMD’s Ryzen 7000 desktop CPUs were introduced, as we received a clear outline of what AMD plans to do with those chips in the upcoming years. As we have seen, the first four Ryzen 7000-series desktop processors—7950X, 7900X, 7700X, and 7600X—will not use the new name convention. They have the same naming convention as the Ryzen 5000 series desktop range that came before them.
This does not exclude the following system from being used in the future, though. However, we think it’s doubtful that this will catch on among PC users. Why? That’s because desktop processors are significantly simpler than mobile processors because they aren’t limited by power or space.
Therefore, unlike mobile CPUs, which must support a variety of laptop configurations, including ultrabooks and gaming laptops, desktop chips simply need to support a single configuration. As a result, the majority of desktop processors come in a single power variant and adhere to the same design principles across the whole product range, eliminating the need for the kind of specialty classification that is crucial in the mobile market.
AMD s New Mobile Processor Naming Scheme Explained
It has never been simple to understand the names of mobile processors. Both Intel and AMD have always battled to keep their mobile chip lineups organised since they frequently proved to be perplexing and, in some cases, overpowering. It only takes a few years to go back to when Intel introduced the M-series CPUs. What classification did the Intel M family of processors fall under? What made them unique compared to the U lineup? Intel never provided us with the answers, and they are likely long since forgotten.
AMD should be commended for making an effort to simplify this maze of mobile chips. But did they actually succeed in completing this task? No, in our opinion. Instead, we think that many consumers will buy these CPUs in error because they aren’t as simple to understand as AMD would have you believe. We can only image how difficult it would be for the average user to understand crucial information like the process node, which is concealed in the numbers. Please share your thoughts on AMD’s new naming convention for mobile Ryzen CPUs in the comments section below.
