AMD Athlon PRO 3145B
AMD Athlon PRO 3145B: Budget Processor for Everyday Tasks - A Complete Review
Introduction
In 2025, budget laptops remain in demand among students, office workers, and users who do not need extreme performance. The AMD Athlon PRO 3145B is one such processor that combines low power consumption with enough power for basic tasks. Let's discuss who this chip is suitable for and what it is capable of.
1. Architecture and Manufacturing Process: Zen+ and Integrated Graphics
The AMD Athlon PRO 3145B processor is built on an outdated 14nm manufacturing process (in comparison, modern Ryzen chips use 5-7nm technology). It is a dual-core chip with SMT (Simultaneous Multithreading) support, providing 4 threads. The base clock speed is 3.0 GHz, with a maximum in turbo mode of 3.3 GHz.
Architecture Features:
- Zen+ (2nd Generation Zen): An architecture from 2018 optimized for energy efficiency.
- iGPU: Integrated AMD Radeon™ Graphics based on the Vega 3 architecture (3 cores, up to 1100 MHz). It supports 4K video but is not suitable for gaming.
- Cache: L3 - 4 MB (shared across cores), L2 - 1 MB per core.
Disadvantages of the Manufacturing Process:
The 14nm technology is inferior to modern 7nm chips in energy efficiency and transistor density. However, for budget tasks, this is compensated by low production costs.
2. TDP 15W: Balance Between Performance and Longevity
The TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 15W indicates that the processor is designed for compact laptops with passive or modest active cooling.
Pros:
- Laptops with this chip do not overheat even under prolonged load.
- Low power consumption increases battery life.
Cons:
- In turbo mode (3.3 GHz), the processor quickly hits the TDP limit, leading to throttling (frequency reduction) under sustained load.
3. Performance: Office Tasks, YouTube, and Light Gaming
Office Tasks:
- Microsoft Office, Browsers: The Athlon PRO 3145B handles 10-15 tabs in Chrome, Word, and Excel documents.
- Video Calls: Zoom/Teams run smoothly, provided that background applications are closed.
Multimedia:
- 4K Video: Streams via YouTube or local files without issues, thanks to hardware decoding for VP9 and H.265.
- Photo Editors: Lightroom and Photoshop launch but exhibit noticeable delays when working with RAW files.
Gaming:
- CS:GO, Dota 2: At low settings (720p), it delivers 25-35 FPS.
- Indie Games (Hollow Knight, Stardew Valley): Performs ideally at 60 FPS on medium settings.
Turbo Mode:
A temporary "boost" to 3.3 GHz aids in tasks like opening heavy web pages or PDF files. However, after 10-15 seconds, the frequency drops back to the base 3.0 GHz due to TDP limitations.
4. Use Cases: Who Is the Athlon PRO 3145B For?
- Students: For studying, writing papers, online courses.
- Office Workers: For working with documents, email, video conferencing.
- Older Users: For browsing websites, messaging.
Not Suitable For:
- Video editing, 3D modeling.
- Modern games (Cyberpunk 2077, Call of Duty).
- Simultaneous operation of multiple demanding applications.
5. Battery Life: Up to 8 Hours in Moderate Mode
With a battery capacity of 40-50 Wh, a laptop with the Athlon PRO 3145B can run 6-8 hours under moderate load (50% brightness, Wi-Fi, browser).
Power-Saving Technologies:
- AMD Cool’n’Quiet: Dynamically adjusts frequency and voltage.
- Windows Battery Saver Mode: Reduces performance of the iGPU and CPU.
Tip: For maximum battery life, choose laptops with IPS displays (not OLED) and SSDs instead of HDDs.
6. Comparison with Competitors
AMD Athlon Silver 3050U (2020):
- 2 cores / 2 threads, Vega 2.
- Lacks SMT, falling short in multi-threaded tasks.
Intel Celeron N5100 (2021):
- 4 cores / 4 threads, UHD Graphics.
- Better for multitasking but weaker graphics.
Apple M1 (2020):
- 8 cores, 5nm manufacturing process.
- 3-4 times more powerful, but laptops with M1 start at $800.
Conclusion: The Athlon PRO 3145B is an option for those who prioritize price (laptops from $300) and compatibility with Windows/Linux.
7. Pros and Cons
Strengths:
- Low laptop prices ($300–$450).
- Support for modern codecs for 4K video.
- Adequate performance for basic tasks.
Weaknesses:
- Only 2 cores: issues with multitasking.
- Outdated 14nm manufacturing process.
- Weak iGPU for gaming.
8. Recommendations for Laptop Selection
Device Type:
- Ultrabooks: ASUS VivoBook, Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3.
- Budget Chromebooks: Running ChromeOS (check compatibility).
What to Look For:
- RAM: At least 8 GB (4 GB will be insufficient in 2025).
- Storage: SSD only (256 GB and above).
- Screen: Full HD (1920×1080) for comfortable work.
Model Examples:
- Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15ABA7: $349, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD.
- HP 15-dw2000: $379, 8 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD.
9. Final Conclusion
The AMD Athlon PRO 3145B is a processor for those looking for an affordable laptop for basic tasks. It may not impress with its performance but will deliver stable operation in office applications, browsing, and light media consumption.
Who It's Suitable For:
- Students for studying.
- Office workers.
- Users looking to save money.
Main Benefits:
- Laptops starting at $300.
- Energy efficiency and quiet operation.
- Support for modern video standards.
If you need a laptop for gaming or video editing, consider the Ryzen 5 7530U or Intel Core i5 from the 12th generation. However, you'll have to pay 2-3 times more for that power.