AMD A4-5150M
AMD A4-5150M: Review of the Processor for Budget Laptops in 2025
(Current as of April 2025)
Introduction: The Processor's Place in 2025
The AMD A4-5150M processor, released in 2013, has become an archaic solution by 2025. However, it can still be found for sale—such as in refurbished laptops or "ultra-budget" devices. In this article, we will explore who might find such a CPU useful in an era of 5nm chips and neural network accelerators.
Architecture and Technology Process
Cores, Threads, and Frequencies
The A4-5150M belongs to the Richland generation and is built on an outdated 32nm process technology. It is a dual-core processor with two threads (without support for SMT/Hyper-Threading). Its base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with a maximum Turbo Core frequency of 2.7 GHz. In comparison, modern budget processors from AMD, like the Athlon Silver 7120U (4nm), operate at a base frequency of 2.4 GHz, with automatic boost up to 3.5 GHz.
Integrated Graphics
The chip has an integrated GPU, the Radeon HD 8350G, with 128 stream processors and a frequency of 514 MHz (720 MHz in turbo mode). It is a DirectX 11-compatible solution, which is noticeably weaker even compared to modern AMD APU from the Ryzen 3 series (Radeon 740M).
Power Consumption and TDP
The processor has a TDP of 35W, which is considered high for mobile devices in 2025. For example, the Intel Core i3-N305 (7W) or Apple M1 (20W) demonstrate better energy efficiency. However, the A4-5150M supports power-saving technologies:
- Cool’n’Quiet — dynamic adjustment of frequency and voltage under low load;
- PowerNow! — core state management to minimize power consumption.
Despite this, the 32nm architecture falls short compared to modern chips in balancing performance and heat.
Performance in Real-World Tasks
Office Work and Multimedia
- Documents, Browser, Zoom: The processor handles basic tasks but struggles with multitasking. For instance, launching 10 tabs in Chrome simultaneously along with antivirus scanning and Word will cause noticeable stuttering.
- 1080p Video: Streaming content (YouTube, Netflix) is possible, but encoding/decoding H.265 requires a third-party player with hardware acceleration (e.g., VLC).
Gaming
The Radeon HD 8350G allows only older or less demanding titles to run:
- Dota 2 — 20-25 FPS on low settings (720p);
- CS:GO — 25-30 FPS (720p, minimum graphics);
- Minecraft — 30-35 FPS (without shaders).
Modern games like Cyberpunk 2077 or Hogwarts Legacy are not playable even on the lowest settings.
Turbo Mode: Is It Worth Relying On?
Turbo Core boosts the frequency to 2.7 GHz, but only under a single-core load and with sufficient thermal headroom. In practice, the gain in multi-threaded tasks is almost imperceptible. For example, rendering a simple video in Handbrake speeds up by only 8-10% compared to the base frequency.
Usage Scenarios: Who Is the A4-5150M Suitable For in 2025?
1. Student Laptops for Kids: For working with Google Classroom, word processors, and educational applications.
2. Backup Device: As a temporary replacement for a broken PC.
3. Media Center: Connecting to a TV to watch movies via HDMI.
Important: The processor is not suitable for working with AI tools, editing 4K video, modern gaming, or multitasking.
Battery Life: How Long Will the Laptop Last?
With a TDP of 35W, battery life depends on its capacity:
- A laptop with a 40Wh battery — 2.5-3 hours while web surfing;
- A model with 60Wh — up to 4 hours.
Tip: Disable Turbo Core in the BIOS settings and reduce screen brightness to 50% to save charge.
Comparison with Competitors
AMD
- Athlon Silver 7120U (2023): 2 cores/2 threads, 4nm, Radeon 610M, TDP 15W. Performance is 2.5 times higher with lower power consumption. Laptop prices start from $350.
- Ryzen 3 7320U (2023): 4 cores/8 threads, Radeon 740M. Ideal for light gaming.
Intel
- Celeron N4500 (2021): 2 cores/2 threads, 10nm, TDP 6W. Weaker in GPU but more energy-efficient.
Apple
- M1 (2020): 8 cores, 5nm. Even after 5 years, it outperforms the A4-5150M in multi-threaded tasks by 5-7 times.
Pros and Cons of the AMD A4-5150M
Strengths:
- Low cost of devices (laptops from $200);
- Support for DirectX 11;
- Sufficient performance for basic tasks.
Weaknesses:
- Outdated architecture;
- High power consumption;
- Lack of support for modern standards (USB 3.2, Wi-Fi 6).
Recommendations for Choosing a Laptop
1. Type of Device: Ultra-budget models (for example, HP 255 G8 or Lenovo Ideapad 1).
2. What to Look For:
- Display: IPS matrix with a resolution of 1920×1080 — even a weak CPU cannot justify a poor picture.
- Memory: At least 8GB DDR3 (4GB in 2025 is torturous).
- Storage: SSD is essential (HDD will slow down the system).
3. Avoid: Laptops without a warranty, with damaged batteries or TN displays.
Final Conclusion
The AMD A4-5150M in 2025 is a choice for those who critically need to stick to a budget of $200-250 and are willing to accept limitations. This processor is suitable for:
- Older users who need a simple PC for calls and reading news;
- Parents buying their child's first laptop;
- Users who need a device for 1-2 years as a "temporary solution."
Key Benefit: Minimal price. However, if the budget allows adding $100-150, it is better to opt for a laptop with Ryzen 3 or Core i3 — they will last longer and not disappoint in performance.