AMD offers a wide range of processors which can be intimidating. The confusing part is AMD’s processor naming and numbering scheme. It has become even more difficult to understand with AMD’s new AI-powered Ryzen 300 series launch. Take these two processors, for example:
- AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 365
- AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS
At first glance, the names might seem straightforward, but it’s the numbers that can trip you up. And it’s not just AMD – brands like Qualcomm and Intel have their own naming and rebranding habits that are just as confusing. So, let us clear some air about how AMD names and numbers its processors.
AMD Ryzen AI Processors
This newly announced Ryzen AI 300 series is built on the Zen 5 architecture and features an NPU capable of performing up to 50 TFLOPS. In contrast, the Snapdragon X series for PC can deliver up to 45 TFLOPS. We will use the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor as an example to understand AMD’s naming and numbering convention.
- ‘AMD Ryzen AI’ is the brand name, with AI in the name indicating it’s an AI-focused processor.
- ‘9’ refers to the processor’s tier. A ‘9’ means it’s from the Ryzen 9 series, while a ‘5’ would mean a Ryzen 5 processor.
- The ‘HX’ suffix indicates the processor type. The ‘HX’ series is for high-performance laptops, while the ‘U’ series is for power-efficient laptops. More on suffixes below.
- ‘3’ stands for the 3rd generation of Ryzen AI processors. The number will increase with each new generation.
- ’70’ is the SKU number which is different for each processor.
AMD Ryzen Processors
These processors are built to handle everything from everyday tasks to serious gaming. They strike a great balance between performance and energy efficiency, making them a solid choice for both laptops and desktops. But while their performance is impressive, their naming and numbering are no less confusing. Let’s use the AMD Ryzen 7 8840U as an example.
The brand name and tier are the same as in the previous case. However, the numbering system is different for these processors. Here’s a breakdown:
- The first digit tells you the year the processor was unveiled. In this case, ‘8’ indicates a 2024 model. Conversely, ‘7’ would mean a 2023 model.
- The second digit refers to the family of processors. For instance, the ‘8’ corresponds to the Ryzen 7 or Ryzen 9 series; Likewise ‘3’ would indicate a Ryzen 3 chipset. Refer to the infographic below for a detailed breakdown.
- The third digit shows the architecture generation which also correlates with performance. For example, the ‘4’ indicates Zen 4 architecture, ‘3’ stands for Zen 3, and ‘5’ would indicate Zen 5.
- The fourth digit differentiates between CPU versions in the same architecture. A higher number indicates faster speeds (performance) but also a higher price tag.
- The last letter represents the product series also known as suffix. We’ve listed all the suffixes and their meanings in the last section of the guide.
Note: It can still feel confusing, especially when compared to AMD desktop processors like AMD Ryzen 7 9700X, where the ’00’ indicates a standard model, and a ’50’ (e.g., Ryzen 9 9950X) signals a higher-performance variant.
AMD Ryzen PRO Processors
The Ryzen PRO lineup is geared toward business users, offering enhanced security, manageability, and reliability. Apart from the ‘PRO’ label which tells the variant, the naming and numbering scheme follows the same rules as regular Ryzen processors.
AMD Processor Suffixes Explained
Here’s a cheat sheet to help you decode the suffixes at the end of different AMD processors:
Laptop Processors:
| Suffix | Meaning |
|---|---|
| E (9W) | Fanless version of U-series CPUs for affordable laptops, designed for efficiency |
| C (15-28W) | Designed for Chromebooks, prioritizing battery life with solid performance |
| U (15-28W) | Low-power CPUs for thin and light laptops, balancing performance and portability |
| HS (35W+) | High-performance CPUs with integrated graphics, balancing power and efficiency |
| HX (55W+) | Top-tier performance in AMD’s mobile lineup, ideal for high-end gaming |
| PRO | Enterprise use with additional security and management features |
Desktop Processors:
| Suffix | Meaning |
|---|---|
| F | No integrated graphics, requiring the use of a dedicated GPU |
| G | Integrated graphics with solid performance, ideal for general usage and casual gaming |
| GE | Includes integrated graphics but optimized for efficiency, delivering slightly lower performance |
| X | Features enhanced clock speeds and consumes more power for improved overall performance |
| XT | Offers slightly faster speeds compared to the standard X variant, ideal for those wanting marginal gains |
| X3D | Equipped with 3D V-Cache technology, enhancing gaming performance and cache-intensive tasks |
| S | Focuses on power efficiency and includes integrated Radeon Vega graphics |
| T | Higher clock speed with lower power consumption |
AMD’s naming and numbering scheme is weird just like other mobile and laptop processor makers. Bookmark or save this page somewhere so you can find it again. And share it with that friend who is looking to buy a new laptop.
