AMD Ryzen 7 4800HS
AMD Ryzen 7 4800HS: The Balance of Power and Battery Life in 2025 Laptops
An up-to-date review of the processor for those who value versatility
Architecture and Process: 7 nm, Zen 2, and Integrated Graphics
The AMD Ryzen 7 4800HS processor, released in 2020, has retained its status as a reliable solution for mid-range laptops by 2025. Its Zen 2 architecture, built on a 7-nm TSMC FinFET process, ensures high transistor density and energy efficiency.
- Cores and Threads: 8 cores and 16 threads represent the "sweet spot" for multitasking. The base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with a maximum turbo frequency of 4.2 GHz.
- Cache Memory: 8 MB of L3 cache accelerates data processing in resource-intensive applications.
- Integrated Graphics: The Radeon Vega 7 (7 cores, 1600 MHz) handles office tasks, 4K video, and light gaming (for instance, Dota 2 runs at 40-50 FPS on medium settings).
Despite its age, the 7-nm process remains relevant: it minimizes heat generation, which is critical for slim laptops. However, by 2025, chips with 5-nm and 3-nm processes (such as the Apple M3) dominate the market, making the 4800HS more common in devices priced under $800.
Power Consumption and TDP: 45 W for Balance
A TDP of 45 W strikes a compromise between performance and battery life. For comparison:
- Intel Core i7-11800H (TDP 45 W): consumes more power under load due to a less efficient 10-nm process, despite having the same TDP.
- Apple M1 (TDP 20 W): focuses on ultra-low power consumption but is not suitable for gaming.
The Ryzen 7 4800HS adapts to tasks: in idle mode, the frequency drops to 1.4 GHz, reducing consumption to 5-7 W. However, in gaming laptops with discrete graphics (e.g., NVIDIA RTX 3050), the overall system TDP can reach 100 W, necessitating a robust cooling system.
Performance: From Office to Gaming
Office Tasks and Multimedia
- Chrome with 50 tabs + Photoshop: the processor maintains responsiveness due to multithreading.
- 4K Editing in DaVinci Resolve: rendering on 8 cores completes 20% faster than with the 6-core Intel Core i5-11400H.
Gaming
- When paired with the NVIDIA RTX 3060: Cyberpunk 2077 runs at 60-65 FPS on medium settings.
- On integrated graphics: CS:GO runs at 70-80 FPS (Full HD, low settings).
Turbo Mode: automatically raises the frequency to 4.2 GHz, but only on 1-2 cores. In multithreaded scenarios (like rendering), the frequency stabilizes at 3.8 GHz to prevent overheating.
Usage Scenarios: Who is the Ryzen 7 4800HS Suitable For?
- Students and Office Workers: multitasking + 8-10 hours of battery life in devices with a 60-70 Wh battery (e.g., ASUS ZenBook UM425).
- Budget Gamers: in combination with RTX 3050/3060 GPUs, laptops with the 4800HS cost between $900-1100 (such as the Lenovo Legion 5 2023 models).
- Freelance Designers: rendering in Blender, working in Adobe Premiere.
Note: For professional 3D modeling or 8K video, consider upgrading to the Ryzen 9 6900HS (Zen 3+, 6 nm).
Battery Life: How to Extend Usage Time?
The processor supports technologies:
- Precision Boost 2: dynamic frequency management based on load.
- C-States: deactivating unused cores during idle mode.
In ultrabooks (e.g., ASUS VivoBook S15) with energy-efficient displays (FHD, 60 Hz), battery life can reach 12 hours when working on documents. However, in gaming or 4K streaming scenarios, the battery depletes in 1.5-2 hours.
Comparison with Competitors
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600H (6 cores, Zen 3): $100 cheaper but lacks in rendering performance.
- Intel Core i7-1260P (12 cores, 10 nm): better for single-threaded tasks (Geekbench 6 Single-Core — 1800), but the TDP of 28 W limits multithreaded performance.
- Apple M2 (8 cores, 5 nm): offers up to 18 hours of battery life but is only compatible with macOS and has limitations in gaming.
Conclusion: The 4800HS outperforms competitors from 2022-2023 in multithreading but lags behind newer chips from 2024-2025 in energy efficiency.
Pros and Cons
Strengths:
- High multithreading performance.
- Support for PCIe 3.0 (relevant for SSDs and external GPUs).
- Compatibility with Windows and Linux.
Weaknesses:
- No support for PCIe 4.0 and DDR5 (a disadvantage for upgrades in 2025).
- Integrated graphics are weaker than Intel Iris Xe and Apple M-series.
Laptop Selection Recommendations
1. Device Type:
- Ultrabook: look for models with an FHD screen and a 70 Wh battery (price: $600-800).
- Gaming Laptop: discrete graphics (RTX 3050 or higher) and cooling with 3-4 heat pipes are essential ($900-1200).
- Workstation: at least 16 GB of RAM and a 1 TB SSD.
2. Additional Features:
- USB-C ports with charging support.
- IPS or OLED displays for color correction.
Final Conclusion
The Ryzen 7 4800HS in 2025 is a choice for those seeking an affordable yet powerful laptop for study, work, and moderate gaming. Its key advantages include:
- Reliable multitasking.
- Compatibility with modern software and games.
- Affordable pricing (laptops starting from $600).
Current Alternatives: If your budget allows for $1000-1200, consider the Ryzen 7 7840U (Zen 4, 4 nm) or Intel Core Ultra 5 125U — they offer better performance and battery efficiency. However, for everyday tasks, the 4800HS remains a valuable option.