The PC platform thrives on choice, but the abundance of CPU options can be overwhelming. With Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite in Microsoft’s Copilot laptops and Intel’s Core Ultra chips already vying for attention, AMD enters the arena with its Ryzen AI 300 series. We’ve tested the flagship Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 in a Copilot+ laptop, and the results are compelling.
Cinebench 2024 multi-core results
Multi-Core Muscle: Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 Flexes Its Power
While Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite boasts impressive multi-core performance, AMD’s Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 takes the crown. Our benchmarks reveal a significant lead over both the Snapdragon X Elite X1E-80-100 and Intel’s Core Ultra 7 155H. Although Intel’s Core Ultra 9 185H reportedly offers better multi-core scores, even those fall short of the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370’s performance. Notably, the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 achieves this with a lower TDP (17-28W) compared to the Core Ultra 9 185H’s 45W.
Impressively, the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 also slightly surpasses the Core i9-13900H and Ryzen 9 7940HS, both higher TDP chips found in larger, power-hungry laptops. This speaks volumes about the efficiency and performance of AMD’s new processor. Its combination of four Zen 5 cores and eight Zen 5c cores delivers exceptional multi-core prowess.
Handbrake 1.8.0 performance
This performance advantage extends beyond Cinebench 2024. In our Handbrake video encoding test, a heavily multi-threaded workload, the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 keeps pace with higher-wattage chips, leaving the Snapdragon X Elite and Core Ultra 7 trailing behind.
Single-Core Performance: A Competitive Landscape
While multi-core performance grabs headlines, single-threaded performance is crucial for everyday tasks in thin and light laptops. In Cinebench 2024’s single-threaded benchmark, the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 shows a decent improvement over the Zen 4-based Ryzen 9 7940HS and edges out the Core Ultra 7 155H. However, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite and Apple’s M3, both based on Arm architecture, demonstrate impressive single-core performance.
Cinebench 2024 single-threaded performance
To assess real-world lightly-threaded performance, we used UL’s Procyon Office 365 benchmark. The Snapdragon X Elite emerged as the overall winner, with the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 in second place and the Core Ultra 7 155H in third. However, a closer look at the subscores reveals a more nuanced picture, with each chip excelling in different Office applications. In practical terms, the performance differences are unlikely to be noticeable for most users.
Office 365 performance
AI Performance: Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 Takes the Lead
AI is a growing focus in computing. We used Topaz Lab’s Gigapixel AI, an image upscaling application, to evaluate AI performance. The Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 significantly outperformed the Core Ultra 7 155H when using CPU cores for upscaling. The Snapdragon X Elite couldn’t run the test due to its lack of AVX and AVX2 support, highlighting a potential compatibility issue for Arm-based chips.
Topaz GIgapixel AI Performance
When leveraging integrated graphics for AI processing, both AMD’s Radeon 890M and Intel’s Arc GPU showed considerable performance gains. The Radeon 890M maintained its lead, while the Arc GPU delivered competitive performance.
Topaz Gigapixel AI GPU performance
Gaming Performance: Radeon 890M Shines
While dedicated GPUs are preferred for gaming, integrated graphics are becoming increasingly capable. In UL 3DMark’s Steel Nomad Light benchmark, the Radeon 890M performed on par with Intel’s Arc graphics.
3DMark Steel Nomad Light Performance
In real-world gaming tests using Cyberpunk 2077 and Shadow of the Tomb Raider, the Radeon 890M consistently outperformed both the Intel Arc and Qualcomm Adreno GPUs. The Adreno GPU lagged significantly, likely due to Windows 11’s emulation layer and its lower graphics processing power.
CyberPunk 2077 Performance
Shadow of the Tomb Raider Performance
Battery Life: Snapdragon X Elite Holds the Edge
Battery life is a critical factor for laptops. Using UL Procyon’s Office Battery test, the Snapdragon X Elite achieved over 12 hours of runtime, outlasting both the AMD and Intel systems. However, it’s important to consider the Snapdragon X Elite laptop’s smaller battery capacity and IPS display, which consumes less power than the OLED displays in the AMD and Intel laptops. While the AMD system didn’t match the Snapdragon’s longevity, it delivered over 10 hours of battery life, comparable to the Intel system and still respectable for general office use.
Ryzen AI 300 battery life performance
Conclusion: AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 – A Strong Performer
The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 delivers impressive performance across various workloads, making it a compelling option for thin and light Copilot+ laptops. While the Snapdragon X Elite maintains an edge in battery life and single-core performance in some scenarios, the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 excels in multi-core tasks, AI processing, and gaming, offering a compelling balance of power and efficiency.
