AMD E-450
AMD E-450: Review of an Outdated Processor for Basic Tasks in 2025
(Relevant as of April 2025)
Introduction
The AMD E-450 processor, released in 2011, became part of the era of budget mobile solutions. Despite becoming outdated by 2025, it can still be found in used or refurbished laptops. In this article, we'll explore who could find such a chip useful today, how it performs with tasks, and how it differs from modern counterparts.
1. Architecture and Manufacturing Process
Cores and Threads:
The AMD E-450 is built on the Bobcat microarchitecture, which is focused on low power consumption. The processor features 2 cores and 2 threads, operating at a base frequency of 1.65 GHz. There is no turbo mode—it's a static frequency, which limits performance in resource-intensive scenarios.
Integrated Graphics:
The chip includes a Radeon HD 6320 GPU with 80 stream processors operating at 508 MHz. It supports DirectX 11, which allowed for running simple games back in the day, but today, it is insufficient even for browser-based projects.
Manufacturing Process:
The 40nm process technology is the main drawback in terms of energy efficiency. Modern processors (such as Intel's Alder Lake-U or AMD's Ryzen 3 7320U) utilize 5-7nm, providing higher performance with lower TDP.
2. Power Consumption and TDP
The TDP of the E-450 is 18W, which is considered high for ultra-budget systems in 2025. In comparison, the Intel N100 (with a TDP of 6W) shows 5-7 times greater performance at a similar TDP.
Heat Dissipation:
Due to the 40nm manufacturing process, the chip runs hotter than modern counterparts, but passive cooling manages the load effectively. In older laptops, overheating issues may arise due to the degradation of thermal paste and fans.
3. Performance in Real Tasks
Office Work:
- Geekbench 6: Single-Core - 112, Multi-Core - 189.
- In practice: Opening 5-10 tabs in a browser (Chrome or Firefox) will cause noticeable stutters. Working with documents (Word, Excel) is possible, but running heavy PDFs or scripts in a browser will be problematic.
Multimedia:
- Playing 1080p videos (YouTube, local files) is possible, but may exhibit stutters at 60 FPS.
- Streaming services (Netflix, Twitch) require hardware decoding, which the E-450 GPU partially supports, but with a significant load on the system.
Gaming:
- CS:GO: 15-20 FPS on low settings at 720p resolution.
- Minecraft: 20-25 FPS (versions up to 1.12).
- Modern games (even indie projects like Hades) will not run due to GPU power limitations.
4. Use Cases in 2025
Who would benefit from the E-450:
- Children/Students: For studying (text editors, Zoom) and simple games (Roblox on minimal settings).
- Older Users: Managing emails, photo viewing, basic surfing.
- Enthusiasts: Installing lightweight OS (Linux Lite, Puppy Linux) for experimentation.
Not suitable for:
- Video/audio editing.
- Modern games and applications with AI components.
- Multitasking (running several heavy programs simultaneously).
5. Battery Life and Energy Saving
Operating Time:
In 2011-2013, laptops with the E-450 were equipped with 40-50 Wh batteries, providing 4-5 hours of operation. In 2025, due to battery degradation, actual operating time has decreased to 1.5-2.5 hours.
Energy-Saving Technologies:
- Cool’n’Quiet: Dynamic frequency reduction under low load.
- PowerNow!: Voltage management to reduce power consumption.
Tip: Replacing HDDs with SSDs (e.g., Kingston A400 240 GB - $25) and increasing RAM to 8 GB will extend device lifespan.
6. Comparison with Competitors
2011-2013 Analogues:
- Intel Atom N2800: Worse in multithreading but better in energy efficiency.
- Intel Celeron 847: Comparable performance but at a higher price at the time.
Modern Competitors (2025):
- Intel N100: TDP 6W, 4 cores, 4 threads, Geekbench 6 Single-Core - 1200. Laptop prices start from $250.
- AMD Athlon Silver 7120U: 2 cores, 2 threads, 15W TDP, Geekbench 6 Single-Core - 850. Price starts from $300.
Conclusion: The E-450 is hopelessly outdated even compared to budget newcomers.
7. Pros and Cons
Strengths:
- Low cost of used devices ($50-100).
- Support for DirectX 11 (for its time).
- Compatibility with Windows 7/8.1 and lightweight Linux distributions.
Weaknesses:
- Insufficient performance for modern OS (Windows 10/11).
- High power consumption relative to power.
- Lack of support for modern standards (USB 3.0, Wi-Fi 6).
8. Recommendations for Laptop Selection
Types of Devices:
- Budget Laptops: In 2025, the E-450 is only found in the used segment.
- Ultrabooks: Avoid this option—modern models based on Intel Core i3-1215U or AMD Ryzen 3 7320U offer a better price-performance ratio (starting from $400).
What to Pay Attention To:
- SSD is a must: An HDD will slow the system to an unacceptable level.
- RAM: Minimum of 4 GB, ideally 8 GB.
- Display: IPS panel with a resolution of 1366x768 is the standard for such devices.
9. Final Conclusion
The AMD E-450 in 2025 is a choice for those who need an extremely cheap PC for basic tasks. Its advantages include:
- Extremely low price on the secondary market.
- Adequacy for working with text and browsing (with optimization).
Who it is suitable for:
- Students on a tight budget.
- Users in need of a "backup" laptop.
Alternative: New devices based on Intel N100 or AMD Athlon Silver 7120U ($250-$350) offer 5-10 times greater performance with similar battery life.
Conclusion:
The AMD E-450 is a relic of the past that may still serve in extreme cases. However, investing more than $100 in it is impractical—modern budget chips outperform it in every aspect.