AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U
AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U: A Balance of Performance and Battery Life in Compact Laptops
Current Review for 2025
Architecture and Manufacturing Process: Zen+ for Mobile Devices
The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U processor, released in 2019, remains in demand in budget and business laptops due to its successful combination of features.
- Cores and Threads: 4 cores and 8 threads based on the Zen+ microarchitecture. This allows for efficient task distribution among threads, which is critical for multitasking.
- Clock Speeds: Base frequency — 2.3 GHz, with the ability to boost up to 4.0 GHz in turbo mode (Precision Boost 2). However, in real-world conditions, peak frequency depends on cooling and load.
- Graphics: Integrated Radeon Vega 10 GPU with 10 compute units and a clock speed of up to 1400 MHz. This is one of the processor's strong points — the graphics outperform Intel UHD of its generation.
- Manufacturing Process: 12nm technology (GlobalFoundries) compared to the modern 5-7nm processes of competitors. This means slightly higher power consumption but also lower manufacturing costs.
Power Consumption and TDP: 15W for Thin Devices
A TDP of 15W makes this processor ideal for ultrabooks and business laptops.
- Heat Output: Thanks to an optimized design, the chip rarely overheats in well-designed enclosures. However, in compact devices (thickness <15mm), throttling is possible under load.
- Energy Efficiency: Cool’n’Quiet and Adaptive Power Management technologies automatically adjust frequencies and voltage, reducing consumption during idle states.
Performance: Office Work, Multimedia, and Light Gaming
According to Geekbench 6 tests (883 points in single-threaded and 2547 in multi-threaded mode), the Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U demonstrates results sufficient for most day-to-day tasks:
- Office Work: Easily handles 20+ tabs in Chrome, Excel, Zoom, and simultaneous document editing.
- Multimedia: Video conversion in 1080p takes 2-3 times longer than on modern processors (e.g., Ryzen 5 7640U), but for occasional tasks, this is acceptable.
- Gaming: Integrated Vega 10 runs CS:GO at medium settings (720p, 60 FPS) and GTA V at low settings (720p, 40-50 FPS). It is not suitable for modern AAA games (2024-2025).
- Turbo Mode: Under brief loads (up to 10-15 seconds), the frequency reaches 4.0 GHz, but in laptops without good cooling, stable frequency under load is around 3.2-3.5 GHz.
Use Cases: Who is Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U Suitable for in 2025?
The processor is relevant for:
1. Students and Office Workers — document work, video conferences, light programming.
2. Users Who Value Battery Life — up to 8-10 hours of use under 20-30% load (web surfing, video watching).
3. Budget Gamers — suitable for undemanding games or cloud gaming via services like GeForce NOW.
Not recommended for:
- Professional 4K video editing.
- Heavy gaming and 3D modeling.
Battery Life: How TDP 15W Affects Runtime
- Battery: In laptops with a 50-60 Wh battery (e.g., Lenovo ThinkPad E14), runtime reaches 7-9 hours under moderate load.
- Power Saving: AMD Power Efficiency technology optimizes the load on the cores, while Vega 10 supports dynamic deactivation of unused blocks.
- Tip: For maximum battery life, choose models with FHD displays (not 4K) and SSDs instead of HDDs.
Comparison with Competitors: AMD vs Intel vs Apple
- AMD Ryzen 5 5500U (2021): A newer 7nm manufacturing process, higher performance in multi-threaded tasks (+15-20%), but more expensive.
- Intel Core i7-1165G7 (2020): Better in single-threaded tests (Geekbench 6 ~1200 points), but weaker graphics (Iris Xe requires more memory).
- Apple M1 (2020): Significantly excels in energy efficiency and speed (Geekbench 6 ~2300/8500), but limited compatibility with Windows.
In 2025, the Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U is a choice for those seeking a laptop under $700 with a good balance of features.
Pros and Cons
Strengths:
- Affordable laptop prices ($600-800).
- Good integrated graphics for light gaming.
- Multi-threading support.
Weaknesses:
- Outdated 12nm manufacturing process.
- Limited performance in heavy tasks.
- No support for PCIe 4.0 and Wi-Fi 6 (only in models with external modules).
Laptop Selection Recommendations
1. Device Type: Ultrabooks (Acer Swift 3) or business laptops (HP ProBook 445 G7).
2. RAM: At least 8 GB (preferably 16 GB) in dual-channel mode to unlock the potential of Vega 10.
3. Storage: Only SSD (NVMe preferred).
4. Display: IPS panel with FHD resolution.
5. Cooling: Check reviews for overheating issues.
Examples of 2025 models:
- Lenovo ThinkPad T14 (Refurbished 2023): $650, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD.
- Dell Inspiron 15 3525: $700, FHD 120Hz screen, 12 GB RAM.
Final Conclusion
The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U in 2025 is a processor for those looking for a reliable laptop at a reasonable price. It is suitable for:
- Daily tasks (office work, studies, web browsing).
- Light gaming and graphics work.
- Users who value battery life.
Key Benefits: low device prices, good graphics, sufficient performance for most scenarios. If your budget is limited to $700-800 and your needs are basic, the Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U remains a worthy option even six years after its release.