AMD’s Mobile Revival: Redefining the Notebook Business with the Ryzen 9 4900HS (A Review)
by Dr. Ian Cutress on April 9, 2020 9:00 AM ESTGPU Benchmarks
Graphics is going to be a bit more challenging than the CPU tests. Games that test both the CPU and the GPU to the limits are going to find different tradeoffs with each of these systems.
The ASUS Zephyrus G14 is smaller and more thermally limited. It doesn’t have an AMD GPU, so it can’t take advantage of AMD’s new features like SmartShift that can manage power between the CPU and GPU. It technically has the stronger CPU, and while the graphics card is the same, ASUS has the Max-Q version of the RTX 2060, which is optimized for power and efficiency, and exhibits lower clocks. Technically the base frequency of this configuration is higher, at 975 MHz, the turbo is lower at 1185 MHz, and the GDDR6 memory is a lot lower at 1375 MHz (11Gbps/pin).
The Razer Blade 15 has the bigger chassis, and we assume is built for a larger overall TDP. While it has the ‘weaker’ CPU of the two, with fewer cores and lower frequency, it is paired with a full-fat GTX 2060 graphics card. We looked at the data for this card, and it exhibits a lower 960 MHz base frequency, it has the higher 1200 MHz turbo, 1750 MHz memory, and has a direct PCIe 3.0 x16 connection with the processor, while the ASUS system is only an x8.
For our tests, I’ve taken an older test (CS:Source), a couple of modern tests (Civ 6, FFXV) and a new test in Borderlands 3. We used the following settings:
- Final Fantasy, 1080p Fullscreen, Standard Quality
- Borderlands 3, 1080p, Medium Pre-Set
- Civilization 6, 1080p Maximum Preset No MSAA / 1K Occlusion Textures
- Civilization 6, 1080p Maximum Preset 8x MSAA / 2K Occlusion Textures
- Counter Strike Source, 1080p Maximum
In Final Fantasy, the results were around 10% different, favoring the AMD system.
Borderlands 3 was actually fairly close, with less than 5% between them, but still favoring AMD. I did notice that we were fairly close to the cutoff here between being CPU limited and GPU limited.
Civilization 6 is well known for constantly updating and being optimized, and here it seems the more powerful GPU wins out by a large 10 FPS margin.
However, if we add in some more compute and detail, we move to a more GPU limited scenario where the results are essentially equal.
Counter Strike is an odd one, given how old the game is. Here the game favors the Intel machine, with a ~10% advantage.
Like in the CPU tests, I did some of these gaming tests with the power cord removed and on battery saver mode. Results were interesting, to say the least, and can be found on the next page.
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Zingam - Saturday, April 11, 2020 - link
How is the triple monitor 4K support? Is triple 4K monitor setup viable? Is it smooth? Does it lag? Does it overheat? Does it make the fans howl all the time even while idling? Does it have driver issues?Can I connect this laptop or any other modern laptops to two (or more if supported) K4 external monitors for a three monitor setup and type, edit text, compile code and never ever experience overheating, fan noise, lag and stuttering? Is this APU a good work driver? This type of tests I am interested in!
And I also like to know how it compares to older CPUs not just the current. I like to know how it compares to Sandy Bridge, to Sky Lake, to Kaby Lake i7 -7700HQ, etc with and without discrete GPU (1050Ti) to know if an upgrade is worth it.
I don't care about battery life very much but I care about performance, heat and fan noise and how portable that setup is. I don't work in coffee shops but I need to carry my laptop from my office to my home and back on my back - so I care about it being light with a small power brick too.
It is very rarely that reviews provide that information - it is all about gaming and flashiness.
Zingam - Saturday, April 11, 2020 - link
@Ian it would be great if you compare these new CPUs to older for real work professional use and even with other small form factor PCs like the NUCs and the Mac Minis.Zingam - Saturday, April 11, 2020 - link
Can it run a 2-3 hour compilation or static analysis without throttling, while watching YouTube, running an emulator and browsing the web, which is just as important as not throttling while gaming or running a game in the background while debugging it in the summer season. :)Viilutaja - Saturday, April 11, 2020 - link
I have not used any of my laptops webcams ever! And i have used work laptops (Lenovo Thinkpads) for some time now. Right now i have special cover on my laptop webcam and have not opened it since installation. I have weekly meetings with collaegues and many other meetings with clients, never ever was the webcam on. Overrated part in laptops. Who has a need to do video converences, that person buys separate 4k60fps external webcam for it anyway.nils_ - Saturday, April 11, 2020 - link
I would like this very much in a mobile workstation, but I do need Thunderbolt 3 at least for my Docking Station. I can do without the dGPU.dk404 - Saturday, April 11, 2020 - link
+1 AMD for their focus on perf per watt, more design per socket plus perf per $ (value). They definitely leading the innovation for laptop, desktop and also server markets,...Now time for blue to wake up even though it's too late,...
SeanFL - Saturday, April 11, 2020 - link
Wondering how long before we see some ultra tiny desktops using the new AMD laptop APU's, similar to the NUC, Lenovo Thinkcentre, or the HP Elitedesk. The aforementioned systems are great for almost anything except video editing. The new 4000 series chips would be fantastic in a tiny desktop. Please AMD.realbabilu - Saturday, April 11, 2020 - link
Is it hackintoshable ?I wish apple also see amd as a switch too
Dodozoid - Saturday, April 11, 2020 - link
Awesome review Dr. Cutress. There are two points that interest me. First - GPU Z shows the iGPU connected via PCIe 4.0 16x. Are there any power/performance implications to that or is it simply misinterpretation of infinity fabric?And another one is regarding the on-battery performance. There is an important piece of information missing (I am aware you show part of in in battery life section)- how long does it maintain that performance?
(And maybe how much influence do various power/performance setting have on the the framerates/endurance tradeoffs?)
phoenix_rizzen - Sunday, April 12, 2020 - link
Renoir doesn't have PCIe 4. That should say PCIe 3 x8 for the GPU.