AMD Radeon RX 640 Mobile

AMD Radeon RX 640 Mobile: Compact Power for Mobile Tasks
April 2025
1. Architecture and Key Features
RDNA 3 Lite: A Balance Between Efficiency and Performance
The AMD Radeon RX 640 Mobile graphics card is built on an optimized version of the RDNA 3 architecture, dubbed RDNA 3 Lite. This architecture is tailored for mobile devices, retaining the key benefits of the "full" RDNA 3, including support for DirectX 12 Ultimate and Vulkan 1.3, while emphasizing energy efficiency. The manufacturing process is 6 nm (TSMC), which helps reduce thermal output without significant performance loss.
Notable features include:
- FidelityFX Super Resolution 3.0 — A scaling technology that enhances FPS in games with minimal quality loss.
- Hybrid Ray Tracing — Simplified ray tracing that uses a combination of software and hardware methods for compatibility with budget systems.
- Smart Access Memory 2.0 — Optimizes CPU access to video memory when paired with Ryzen processors.
2. Memory: Speed and Capacity
GDDR6 and 128-bit Bus
The RX 640 Mobile is equipped with 4 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus. Its bandwidth reaches 224 GB/s (14 Gbps × 128 bits / 8), which is sufficient for most tasks at 1080p resolution. However, the memory capacity may become a bottleneck in games with detailed textures (for example, Cyberpunk 2077 or Hogwarts Legacy), requiring lower settings.
For professional applications, 4 GB is the minimum comfortable level. For instance, rendering complex scenes in Blender may necessitate optimization or the use of cloud resources.
3. Gaming Performance
1080p — The Optimal Choice
In games, the RX 640 Mobile shows the following performance (at medium settings):
- Fortnite: 75–90 FPS (with FSR 3.0 — up to 110 FPS).
- Apex Legends: 60–70 FPS.
- The Witcher 3 (with ray tracing): 35–45 FPS (Hybrid RT + FSR).
1440p and 4K are not recommended for this card. Even with FSR, stable 60 FPS at higher resolutions is achievable only in less demanding titles (like CS:GO 2).
Ray tracing operates in a limited mode. It's better to disable it in AAA games or combine it with FSR for acceptable smoothness.
4. Professional Tasks
Not for Heavy Work, But Handles Basic Tasks
- Video Editing: Support for AV1 encoding and HEVC decoding make the card suitable for editing in DaVinci Resolve or Premiere Pro (videos up to 4K 60fps).
- 3D Modeling: In Blender and AutoCAD, medium complexity scenarios can be rendered in a reasonable time, but for complex tasks, discrete GPUs with larger memory are preferred.
- Scientific Calculations: Support for OpenCL 2.2 and ROCm 5.5 allows leveraging the GPU for machine learning (at a basic level), but NVIDIA's CUDA accelerators (like the RTX 3050 Mobile) outperform in this regard.
5. Power Consumption and Thermal Output
TDP 50W: Quiet Operation in Thin Laptops
The RX 640 Mobile is designed for ultrabooks and compact gaming laptops. Its TDP is 50 W, which is 20% lower than its predecessor, the RX 6300M. Cooling is adequately managed with two heat pipes and a compact heatsink.
Recommendations:
- Choose laptops with ventilation openings on the bottom panel and side edges.
- Avoid models with passive cooling—throttling may occur under load.
6. Comparison with Competitors
Budget Segment: A Battle of Technologies
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050 Mobile (2025 refresh): 4 GB GDDR6, supports DLSS 3.5, outperforms in ray tracing (~$450), but is more expensive.
- Intel Arc A380 Mobile: 6 GB GDDR6, excels in 1440p, but drivers are still maturing (~$400).
- AMD Radeon RX 640 Mobile: Wins on price ($300–$350) and energy efficiency but falls short on memory capacity.
For games with FSR/RT, NVIDIA is preferable, while AMD offers a balance between price and basic performance.
7. Practical Tips
How to Avoid Issues?
- Power Supply: The laptop should have a power adapter of at least 90W (for U-series processor models).
- Compatibility: The card operates only in systems with PCIe 4.0 x8. Ensure the laptop's motherboard supports this standard.
- Drivers: Regularly update the Adrenalin Edition—AMD actively optimizes FSR 3.0 and fixes bugs.
8. Pros and Cons
Strengths:
- Low power consumption.
- Support for AV1 and modern APIs.
- Affordable price ($300–$350).
Weaknesses:
- Only 4 GB of video memory.
- Limited performance in ray tracing.
9. Final Conclusion
Who is the RX 640 Mobile Suitable For?
- Students and Office Workers who need a laptop for work, streaming, and light gaming.
- Budget Gamers willing to play at medium settings in 1080p.
- Travelers who value battery life and a quiet system.
Why Choose This Card? At $300–$350, it is one of the best cards in its class, combining modern technology and mobility. However, for professional work or gaming at 1440p, it’s advisable to consider more powerful models.