AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS
AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS: A Balance of Power and Mobility in 2025
Despite the emergence of new processors, the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS remains a relevant solution for those seeking a balance between performance and battery life. Released in 2021, this chip is still found in mid-range and premium laptops, particularly in models leaning towards portability. Let's explore why it is still in demand and who it is suitable for.
Architecture and Process Technology: Zen 3 in a Compact Form Factor
Process Technology and Cores
The Ryzen 9 5900HS is based on TSMC's 7nm FinFET technology. While by 2025 this may not be the most cutting-edge process (newer AMD and Intel chips are using 3-5nm), 7nm provides good energy efficiency. The chip contains 8 cores and 16 threads, making it one of the most powerful in AMD's mobile processor lineup. The base clock frequency is 3.0 GHz, with a turbo boost maxing out at 4.6 GHz.
Zen 3 Architecture
A key advantage is the Zen 3 architecture, which significantly improved IPC (instructions per cycle) compared to Zen 2. This means that even at the same frequency, the 5900HS performs tasks faster than its predecessors. It has a 16 MB L3 cache, which speeds up data processing in games and professional applications.
Integrated Graphics
The iGPU is Radeon Graphics with 8 compute units (CUs) and a clock speed of up to 2100 MHz. While this solution is weaker than discrete graphics cards, it handles office tasks, light video editing, and games on low settings (for example, CS:GO or Dota 2 at 1080p) quite well.
Power Consumption and TDP: Efficiency Above All
The processor's TDP is 35 watts, classifying it as HS (Horsepower Slim). This is an adapted version of the H series chips (45W), optimized for thin laptops. Thanks to the reduced thermal envelope, manufacturers can fit the 5900HS into devices as thin as 18 mm without bulky cooling systems.
Example: The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2023) with this processor and an RTX 4060 weighs only 1.7 kg, which is rare for gaming models.
Performance: From Office Work to Gaming
Office and Multimedia
- In a browser with over 20 tabs and simultaneous work in Photoshop, RAM usage does not exceed 12GB, while CPU load remains at 30-40%.
- Rendering 4K video in DaVinci Resolve takes 15% less time compared to the Intel Core i7-11800H.
- In the Cinebench R23 test, the multi-threaded score is 12,300 points, which is close to the desktop Ryzen 7 5800X.
Gaming
- Paired with a discrete graphics card (e.g., RTX 4070), the processor does not become a bottleneck even in Cyberpunk 2077.
- On integrated graphics: GTA V runs at 45-55 FPS on medium settings, Fortnite at 60 FPS in "Performance" mode.
- Turbo mode maintains frequencies up to 4.4 GHz for 10-15 minutes, after which throttling may occur in compact form factors.
Use Cases: Who is the 5900HS Suitable For?
1. Students and Office Workers — for multitasking and graphic work.
2. Gamers — in combination with a discrete graphics card.
3. Creative Professionals — video editing, 3D modeling.
4. Travelers — due to battery life of 8-10 hours in web browsing mode.
Battery Life: Energy-Saving Technologies
With a TDP of 35W, laptops featuring the 5900HS demonstrate:
- Up to 10 hours of operation at 150 nits brightness (e.g., Dell XPS 15).
- The "Battery Saver" mode in Windows reduces the frequency to 2.4 GHz, extending battery life by 20-25%.
- The AMD Precision Boost 2 technology dynamically allocates power between cores to prevent overheating.
Tip: Turn off turbo mode in power settings to increase battery life by 1.5-2 hours.
Comparison with Competitors
- Intel Core i7-1360P (2023): Better for single-threaded tasks (Geekbench 6 Single Core — 2100), but weaker in multi-threading (6500).
- Apple M2 (2022): More efficient in power consumption (up to 18 hours of battery life), but with limited compatibility with Windows applications.
- AMD Ryzen 7 7840U (2024): Built on 4nm, offers improved iGPU performance but is 25-30% more expensive.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- High multi-threaded performance.
- Supports PCIe 3.0 (sufficient for SSDs and external GPUs).
- Optimal price-to-power ratio in 2025 ($800-$1200 for laptops).
Cons:
- No support for PCIe 4.0 and DDR5 (pertinent for new games).
- Integrated graphics are weaker compared to Ryzen 7000 series.
Laptop Selection Recommendations
1. Ultrabooks (e.g., Asus ZenBook 14X):
- Focus on weight (up to 1.4 kg) and a high-resolution display.
- Ensure an NVMe SSD of at least 512 GB and 16 GB RAM.
2. Gaming Models (MSI Delta 15):
- Choose versions with RTX 4060/4070.
- Check the cooling system: at least two fans and heat pipes.
3. Workstations (Lenovo ThinkPad P1):
- 32 GB RAM for rendering.
- Matte display with 100% sRGB coverage.
Final Conclusion
The Ryzen 9 5900HS in 2025 is the choice for those needing a reliable laptop for work and gaming without overspending on the latest technology. It is suitable for:
- Freelancers who value portability.
- Gamers on a budget (models with this CPU start at $800).
- Students balancing studies and entertainment.
Its strengths lie in stability, proven architecture, and compatibility with most applications. However, if maximum performance in gaming or work with AI models is required, consider the Ryzen 8000 series processors or Intel Core Ultra.