AMD A4-5145M
AMD A4-5145M: An Obsolete Chip for Basic Tasks in 2025. Is It Worth Considering?
Introduction
The AMD A4-5145M processor, released in 2013, is part of a lineup of mobile solutions for budget laptops. Despite its age, devices with this chip occasionally appear for sale in 2025, typically in the "student laptops" segment, priced between $200 and $300. Let's examine who might find it useful today and what compromises one would have to make.
Architecture and Technology Node: A Legacy of the 32 nm Era
Cores, Threads, and Frequencies
The A4-5145M is built on the Piledriver microarchitecture (codename - Richland) with a 32 nm technology node. It is a dual-core processor without support for hyper-threading (2 cores / 2 threads). The base frequency is 2.0 GHz, and there is no turbo mode. For comparison, modern budget chips like the AMD Ryzen 3 7320U (4 cores, 8 threads, 6 nm) operate at frequencies up to 4.1 GHz.
Integrated Graphics: Radeon HD 8310G
The iGPU Radeon HD 8310G is a weak point even for its time. It includes 128 shader processors, operates at a frequency of 533 MHz, and supports DirectX 11. In 2025, this is insufficient for comfortable use with Windows 11 (for instance, interface animations may stutter). For gaming, only projects from before the 2010s at low settings are relevant: Half-Life 2 — 30–40 FPS, Minecraft (without shaders) — 25–35 FPS.
Power Consumption and TDP: Efficiency at the Cost of Performance
With a TDP of 17 W, it allows for passive cooling or compact coolers. This is an advantage for ultra-thin laptops, but in 2025, even budget models (for example, those with Intel N100) at a similar TDP offer 3-4 times higher performance. AMD's power-saving technologies (CoolCore, PowerNow!) are outdated: modern chips automatically turn off unused core blocks, reducing power consumption to 1-3 W in idle mode.
Performance: The Reality of 2025
Office Tasks
- Browser: 5-7 tabs in Chrome cause noticeable lag.
- Documents: Working with text in Word or Excel spreadsheets (up to 1000 rows) is possible, but encounters freezes with larger files.
- Video Calls: Zoom/Google Meet at 720p pushes CPU usage to 90-100%, and image artifacts may occur.
Multimedia
- Video: 1080p streaming (YouTube) — okay; 4K — not supported.
- Photo Editors: GIMP with filters — 10-15 seconds processing per 12 MP shot.
Gaming
Only 2D games and retro projects:
- Stardew Valley — 60 FPS;
- Terraria — 45-55 FPS;
- CS:GO (720p, lowest settings) — 20-25 FPS.
Use Cases: Who is A4-5145M Relevant for in 2025?
1. Older Users — for Skype, reading news, and light word processing.
2. Children — as a first laptop for learning (without heavy applications).
3. Backup Device — for travel, where the risk of loss/breakage is high.
Important! Not suitable for:
- Online education with Zoom + browser + documents;
- Modern operating systems without optimization (Windows 11 requires at least 4 GB RAM and a dual-core CPU, but in practice tends to "lag");
- Working with cloud services (Google Docs, Figma).
Battery Life: A Paradox of Obsolete Technology
With a battery capacity of 40-45 Wh, laptops with the A4-5145M last 4-6 hours in video playback mode. However, modern processors (like the AMD Ryzen 3 7420U) with similar battery life (6-8 hours) deliver 5 times higher performance. The issue with the A4 is the lack of support for modern power-saving standards: DDR3L instead of LPDDR5, and the outdated PCIe 2.0 controller.
Comparison with Competitors: What to Buy Instead of A4-5145M in 2025?
Budget Alternatives (New Devices):
- Intel Processor N200 ($250–$350): 4 cores, 6 W TDP, 4K video, 8–10 hours of battery life.
- AMD Ryzen 3 7320U ($400–$500): Zen 2, 4 cores/8 threads, Radeon 610M (gaming at 720p).
- Apple M1 (in used MacBook Air 2020) — starting at $600: flagship battery life (15+ hours) and performance.
Conclusion: The A4-5145M falls short even against the cheapest modern chips. Its only advantage is the price below $300, but in this segment, it’s better to look for devices released from 2022 to 2024.
Pros and Cons
Strengths:
- Extremely low cost of laptops;
- Sufficient for basic tasks;
- Repairability (SSD/RAM replacement takes 5 minutes).
Weaknesses:
- Does not support Windows 11 (officially);
- No VP9/AV1 decoder — 4K video in browsers unavailable;
- Limited upgrade: maximum of 8-16 GB DDR3.
Recommendations for Selecting a Laptop
If you still decide to purchase a device with the A4-5145M:
1. Device Type: Ultrabook with SSD (HDD is unacceptably slow in 2025).
2. Screen: IPS matrix with a resolution of 1366×768 — do not go for less.
3. RAM: At least 8 GB.
4. Check OS: Preferably Linux (Lubuntu, Xubuntu) or Windows 10 LTSC.
Example Model: Lenovo Ideapad 1 14" (2025) — $249:
- 8 GB DDR3, 256 GB SSD, TN screen 1366×768.
Final Conclusion: Who is A4-5145M Suitable For?
This processor is a option for those who need a “digital typewriter” on a minimal budget. If your tasks include typing texts, watching YouTube, and messaging, and your cap is $250, the A4-5145M will suffice. However, even a slight budget increase to $350–$400 opens access to devices from 2023–2024 with a significantly better user experience.
Key Benefit: Price. In all other respects, this is a compromise with the realities of 2013 in 2025.