AMD Ryzen 5 3450U
AMD Ryzen 5 3450U in 2025: Is It Worth Buying a Laptop with This Processor?
AMD Ryzen 5 series 3000 processors were once a breakthrough for budget laptops, offering a balance of performance and battery life. However, by 2025, the Ryzen 5 3450U no longer appears to be a fresh solution. Let's figure out who it is suitable for today and who should consider more modern models.
Architecture and Process Technology: What's Inside?
Zen+ on 12 nm: A Legacy of the Past
The Ryzen 5 3450U is built on the Zen+ microarchitecture and GlobalFoundries' 12 nm process technology. This generation debuted in 2019, and by 2025, its capabilities appear modest compared to 5 nm and 6 nm chips. Nevertheless, it is still relevant for basic tasks.
- 4 cores and 8 threads: Utilizing SMT (Simultaneous Multithreading), the processor effectively distributes tasks. This is sufficient for working with documents, browsing, and light multitasking.
- Base frequency — 2.1 GHz, maximum in turbo mode — 3.5 GHz: In real-world scenarios, the frequency rarely reaches the maximum due to TDP limitations.
- 4 MB L3 cache: This is less than modern counterparts (e.g., Ryzen 5 5500U has 8 MB), but it is adequate for office applications.
Integrated Vega 8 Graphics
The Vega 8 graphics core (8 compute units, up to 1200 MHz) is a strong point of the processor. It supports:
- 4K video via HDMI 2.0;
- FreeSync technologies for smooth gaming visuals;
- H.265 and VP9 decoding for streaming.
However, in 2025, Vega 8 falls behind Intel Iris Xe and AMD RDNA 2 in new APU. For example, in games, it provides only 20-30 FPS at 720p resolution on low settings (CS:GO, Dota 2, Overwatch 2).
Power Consumption and TDP: Quiet Operation or Compromises?
TDP 15W: For Ultrabooks and Compact Laptops
This processor is designed for thin devices with passive or modest active cooling. This means:
- Low noise levels even under load.
- Limited performance in prolonged tasks (e.g., video rendering).
- Compatibility with compact chassis up to 17 mm thick.
Turbo Mode: Brief Bursts of Performance
Under short bursts of load (opening heavy files, launching programs), the frequency can rise to 3.5 GHz, but it drops to 2.5-2.8 GHz after 20-30 seconds due to heat. This is important to consider when choosing a laptop: models with improved cooling (e.g., Lenovo IdeaPad 5) can maintain high frequencies for longer.
Performance: What Can the Ryzen 5 3450U Do in 2025?
Office Work and Multimedia
- Microsoft Office, Google Workspace: Handles documents, spreadsheets, and presentations without any issues.
- Web Surfing: 10-15 tabs open in Chrome + background YouTube 1080p — possible slowdowns when switching between tabs.
- Photo Editors: Adobe Lightroom (basic retouching) and Photoshop (medium complexity layers) run, but with delays when applying filters.
Gaming: Only Lightweight Projects
- CS:GO: 720p, low settings — 45-60 FPS.
- Genshin Impact: 720p, minimal settings — 25-30 FPS (not comfortable).
- Indie Games (Hollow Knight, Stardew Valley): Stable 60 FPS.
Video Editing: Limited Capabilities
- 1080p Videos in DaVinci Resolve: Editing is possible, but rendering will take 2-3 times longer than on the Ryzen 5 6600U.
Use Cases: Who Is This Processor Suitable For?
1. Students — for lectures, text work, and Zoom.
2. Office Workers — if tasks do not require simultaneous use of several heavy applications.
3. Users Who Value Battery Life — laptops with this CPU often come equipped with 50-60 Wh batteries.
Not Suitable For:
- Gamers — need discrete graphics.
- Designers and Video Editors — it's better to choose processors with 6+ cores and RDNA 2/3 integrated graphics.
Battery Life: How Long Will It Last?
Real-world Testing:
- Web Surfing (brightness at 150 nits) — 7-8 hours.
- Video Playback (local 1080p file) — 6-7 hours.
- Gaming — 2-2.5 hours.
Power-saving Technologies:
- Precision Boost 2 — adaptively adjusts frequency.
- C-States — shuts off unused cores.
- Eco Modes in Windows/Linux — reduce power consumption by 10-15%.
Tip: Choose laptops with low-brightness IPS screens (250 nits) and SSDs instead of HDDs — this will prolong battery life.
Comparison with Competitors
1. Intel Core i5-1135G7 (2020):
- Pros: Better single-thread performance (Geekbench 6 Single-Core ~1200).
- Cons: Weaker graphics (Iris Xe 80 EU vs. Vega 8).
2. Apple M1 (2020):
- Pros: 2-3 times higher performance, 18 hours of battery life.
- Cons: Price (laptops start from $800), limited compatibility with Windows.
3. AMD Ryzen 5 5500U (2021):
- Pros: 6 cores, 7 nm process, +30% in multi-threading.
- Cons: Laptops are $100-150 more expensive.
Pros and Cons of the Ryzen 5 3450U
Strengths:
- Affordable laptop prices ($500-700).
- Good graphics for basic tasks.
- Cool operation and quiet fans.
Weaknesses:
- Outdated 12-nm process.
- Low performance in resource-intensive applications.
- Limited support for PCIe 3.0 (affects SSD speed and external GPU performance).
Recommendations for Choosing a Laptop
1. Type of Device: Ultrabooks (Acer Swift 3, HP Pavilion Aero) or budget models (Lenovo IdeaPad 3).
2. At least 8 GB of RAM, preferably 16 GB — Vega 8 uses up to 2 GB of memory.
3. SSD is a Must: A 256 GB NVMe drive will speed up loading and program performance.
4. Screen: IPS matrix with Full HD resolution. Avoid TN screens.
Example Models for 2025:
- Acer Aspire 5 (Ryzen 5 3450U, 8 GB, 512 GB SSD): $550.
- HP 15s-eq2053nr (16 GB, FHD screen): $650.
Final Conclusion: Who Is the Ryzen 5 3450U Suitable For?
This processor should be considered only if:
- The budget is limited to $500-700.
- A laptop is needed for study, office work, or video viewing.
- Battery life is more important than maximum performance.
Key Benefits:
- Sufficient power for everyday tasks.
- Quiet operation and compactness.
- Best graphics in its price segment.
However, if you can spend an extra $100-200, models with Ryzen 5 5500U/6600U or Intel Core i5-1235U will provide a noticeable speed boost and modern technologies (PCIe 4.0, Wi-Fi 6E).