Picking a mini PC processor used to be simple: more cores, higher clock, done. AMD’s last two mobile chip generations made that harder. The Ryzen 7 8845HS launched in early 2024 as a strong, do-everything chip. Months later, the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 arrived with a new core mix, a much bigger NPU, and updated graphics, along with a higher price tag and tighter availability. If you’re comparing spec sheets for a mini PC, mini workstation, or thin laptop, this guide tells you exactly what changed between the two chips and, more importantly, whether any of it actually matters for what you do with the machine.
Below is every publicly confirmed spec for both chips, cores, clocks, cache, graphics, NPU performance, and power limits, laid out side by side so you don’t have to dig through five product pages to find them. After the table, we translate the numbers into plain guidance: who should pay extra for the HX 370, and who can save money on an 8845HS-based machine without giving anything up.
Quick Facts
| Spec | Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 | Ryzen 7 8845HS |
|---|---|---|
| Codename | Strix Point | Hawk Point |
| Launch timing | Announced Computex 2024, shipping mid-2024 | Announced CES 2024, shipping Q1 2024 |
| CPU architecture | Zen 5 + Zen 5c (hybrid) | Zen 4 (uniform) |
| Cores / Threads | 12 cores / 24 threads (4 Zen 5 + 8 Zen 5c) | 8 cores / 16 threads |
| Base clock | 2.0 GHz | 3.8 GHz |
| Max boost clock | Up to 5.1 GHz | Up to 5.1 GHz |
| L3 cache | 24 MB | 16 MB |
| Total cache (L2+L3) | 36 MB | 24 MB |
| iGPU | Radeon 890M | Radeon 780M (RDNA 3, 12 CUs, up to 2.7 GHz) |
| NPU | XDNA 2, up to 50 TOPS | XDNA 1, up to 16 TOPS |
| Meets Copilot+ NPU threshold | Yes | No |
| Process node | TSMC 4nm | TSMC 4nm |
| Default TDP | 28W | 45W |
| Configurable TDP (cTDP) range | 15W – 54W | 35W – 54W |
| Memory support | LPDDR5X (speed varies by OEM design) | LPDDR5 / DDR5 (speed varies by OEM design) |
| Socket/package | FP8 | FP7r2 / FP8 |
Source note: core, clock, cache, NPU, TDP, and process-node figures in the table above are drawn from AMD’s official product specification pages (Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 spec sheet and Ryzen 7 8845HS spec sheet), cross-checked in early 2025. Where AMD’s own site doesn’t publish a uniform number across every design win, such as exact memory speed or full integrated-GPU architecture details for the Radeon 890M, we’ve noted that instead of repeating unofficial figures circulating elsewhere. Elsewhere in this article, details like chassis size and power-adapter wattage are OEM-dependent, not chip specifications, and are described only in general terms.
Architecture and Manufacturing: What Actually Changed
Both chips are built on TSMC’s 4nm process, so on paper the manufacturing node is identical. The real shift is architecture. The 8845HS uses eight identical Zen 4 cores: every core is built the same way and performs the same under load, whether it’s running a background sync client or your main application. The HX 370 switches to a hybrid design AMD calls Zen 5 + Zen 5c: four full-size Zen 5 cores handle demanding single-threaded work, while eight smaller, denser Zen 5c cores pick up background and multi-threaded tasks more efficiently.
This mirrors the big-core/small-core approach Intel popularized, but AMD’s version isn’t a stripped-down implementation. The Zen 5c cores share the same instruction set and architecture as full Zen 5; they’re simply tuned for density and efficiency rather than peak frequency. In practice, that’s why the HX 370’s base clock (2.0 GHz) looks low next to the 8845HS’s 3.8 GHz base, even though both chips boost to the same 5.1 GHz ceiling. The HX 370 is rated for sustained output across twelve cores at a given power budget, so its baseline per-core number is lower, while its scheduler leans on the fast Zen 5 cores for anything latency-sensitive. The extra cores also bring more cache: 24MB of L3 versus 16MB, and 36MB of total L2+L3 versus 24MB, which helps in multitasking-heavy workloads like running several VMs or containers at once on a mini PC.
Graphics: Radeon 890M vs. Radeon 780M
The 8845HS pairs with the Radeon 780M, a well-documented integrated GPU using AMD’s RDNA 3 architecture with 12 compute units clocked up to 2.7 GHz. It’s already capable of solid 1080p gaming on modest settings and handles multi-monitor productivity and video work without breaking a sweat.
The HX 370 moves to the newer Radeon 890M, widely reported as using an RDNA 3.5 architecture with 16 compute units clocked up to 2.9 GHz (AMD’s own product pages confirm the compute-unit count and clock speed, though the RDNA 3.5 architecture label isn’t as uniformly published as those figures), compared to the 780M’s confirmed RDNA 3 design with 12 compute units at up to 2.7 GHz. That’s four more compute units on a newer graphics architecture, running within the same Ryzen AI 300 platform as the rest of the HX 370’s upgrades. If integrated graphics performance is your top priority, the higher CU count and clock speed give the 890M more raw graphics throughput on paper, and it’s worth checking independent benchmarks for the specific games or apps you care about to see how that translates in practice.
NPU and Copilot+: The AI Angle
The most dramatic spec change is the neural processing unit. The 8845HS uses AMD’s first-generation XDNA NPU, rated up to 16 TOPS (trillion operations per second). The HX 370 jumps to second-generation XDNA 2 silicon, rated up to 50 TOPS, more than three times the throughput.
That gap matters because of a hardware line Microsoft drew for its Copilot+ PC program: the generally cited requirement is a minimum of 40 TOPS of on-device NPU performance to qualify. At 50 TOPS, the HX 370 clears that bar; at 16 TOPS, the 8845HS does not. That means Copilot+ features that lean on local NPU processing, rather than the cloud, are only available on HX 370 machines. If you don’t care about on-device AI features and just want a fast, efficient desktop or laptop chip, this difference won’t affect your day-to-day use at all.
Power, TDP, and Thermal Headroom
This is where the two chips diverge more than most spec sheets let on. The HX 370 has a default TDP of 28W with a configurable range of 15W to 54W, giving OEMs room to build it into small fanless boxes at the low end or push more performance in a larger chassis with better cooling. The 8845HS runs at a higher baseline: its default TDP is 45W, with a configurable range that runs from 35W up to 54W. It’s a chip designed to run at a higher sustained power draw, which is part of why its stock clocks look so aggressive.
| TDP Metric | Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 | Ryzen 7 8845HS |
|---|---|---|
| Default TDP | 28W | 45W |
| Configurable TDP (cTDP) range | 15W – 54W | 35W – 54W |
| Lowest fanless-friendly setting | 15W | 35W |
For mini PC builders, this has a real practical effect. An HX 370 unit can be tuned down toward 15W for a compact, quiet, low-power build, something the 8845HS’s 35W floor doesn’t allow for. If you’re shopping for a small fanless or near-silent mini PC, the HX 370’s wider power envelope is a genuine advantage, independent of the CPU or GPU architecture differences. That power range difference can also show up in physical chassis size: OEMs building around the HX 370’s lower TDP floor have more flexibility to use smaller, fanless, or low-profile enclosures, while 8845HS-based units, needing more active cooling to dissipate a sustained 35W or more, more often require a fan and a somewhat larger case. Actual dimensions and weight vary by manufacturer, so check the specific product listing rather than assuming based on the chip alone.
Memory and Platform Support
Both chips support modern low-power memory, LPDDR5X on the HX 370 side and LPDDR5 or DDR5 on the 8845HS side, but AMD doesn’t publish one universal speed rating that applies to every mini PC or laptop built on either chip; actual memory speed depends on the OEM’s board design. If you’re comparing two specific machines rather than the chips in the abstract, check each manufacturer’s product page for the exact memory configuration used in that unit.
Socket and package support also differs slightly: the HX 370 uses the FP8 package, while the 8845HS ships in either FP7r2 or FP8 depending on the design. This mostly affects OEMs and system integrators rather than end buyers, since neither chip is user-upgradable in a typical mini PC.
Ports, Display Outputs, and Power Adapters: Watch the Fine Print
Neither the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 nor the Ryzen 7 8845HS dictates port count, display output combinations, or power adapter wattage directly, those are OEM decisions built around the chip’s reference design, but they’re some of the most commonly overlooked spec-sheet traps when shopping for a mini PC. Check the exact number and type of USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, and DisplayPort connectors listed for the specific unit, not just the chip. Also check whether all display outputs can run simultaneously at full resolution and refresh rate; some boards downgrade one output when three displays are active at once. Finally, note the included power adapter’s wattage: because the HX 370 has a lower default TDP, OEMs can often get away with a smaller power brick, while 8845HS machines, running a higher default TDP, more often ship with a larger adapter. Exact wattage is entirely up to the OEM, so check the specific product’s included adapter rather than assuming a number based on the chip alone.
Which Chip Should You Buy?
If your workload includes heavy multitasking, video editing, local AI tools, or you specifically want Copilot+ features like on-device image generation or live captioning, the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 is worth the premium. Its extra cores, larger cache, stronger integrated graphics, and vastly more capable NPU all point toward the more expensive chip. For home server duty, running Plex, Home Assistant, or a handful of Docker containers, the HX 370’s extra cores and wider power range let it sit efficiently at low wattage while still having headroom for occasional bursts, making it the better pick if you want one box that can also double as a lightweight NAS or media transcoder. For gaming, whether that means handheld-style mini PCs or living-room boxes running emulation and older or indie titles at 1080p, the HX 370’s Radeon 890M graphics deliver more compute headroom than the 780M, so it’s the stronger buy if integrated graphics performance matters to you. For office and general productivity use, web browsing, spreadsheets, video calls, light photo editing, the Ryzen 7 8845HS is the more sensible purchase: it has plenty of CPU performance for that workload, its integrated graphics are already more than enough for office tasks, and skipping the NPU and extra cores saves real money without costing you anything you’d notice day to day.
Use-Case Verdicts
- Home server / NAS-style mini PC: Ryzen AI 9 HX 370. The wider 15W-54W power range and extra cores make it easier to run always-on background services efficiently.
- Gaming-focused mini PC: Ryzen AI 9 HX 370. The Radeon 890M’s higher compute-unit count and clock speed give it a real edge for 1080p and handheld-style gaming.
- Office / productivity mini PC: Ryzen 7 8845HS. It covers everyday office workloads fully and typically costs less, since you’re not paying for NPU or graphics headroom you won’t use.
- Local AI / Copilot+ workloads: Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 only, since it’s the only one of the two that clears Microsoft’s 40 TOPS Copilot+ threshold.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Ryzen 7 8845HS support Copilot+ features?
No. Its XDNA NPU tops out at 16 TOPS, well below Microsoft’s 40 TOPS minimum for Copilot+ certification, so on-device Copilot+ features aren’t available on 8845HS machines.
Is the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 always faster than the Ryzen 7 8845HS?
Not necessarily in every scenario. The HX 370 has more cores, more cache, and stronger graphics, but its lower base clock on the Zen 5c cores means lightly-threaded tasks tuned for high base frequency can occasionally favor the 8845HS’s higher stock clocks, depending on how the OEM configures TDP.
Can I upgrade the memory or storage on mini PCs using these chips?
Storage is usually upgradeable via M.2 slots on most mini PCs using either chip. Memory upgradability depends entirely on the OEM: some boards use soldered LPDDR5/LPDDR5X for power efficiency, which cannot be upgraded, while others use SO-DIMM slots. Always check the specific mini PC’s spec sheet rather than assuming based on the chip alone.
What size mini PC chassis do these chips typically need?
Because the HX 370’s TDP can be configured as low as 15W, it’s often found in smaller, fanless, or low-profile chassis. The 8845HS’s 35W floor generally pushes OEMs toward larger chassis with active cooling, so if you’re shopping by physical footprint as much as by spec sheet, expect 8845HS-based units to run larger on average.
How many display outputs do these mini PCs typically support?
That depends on the OEM’s board design rather than the chip itself, but most mini PCs built on either chip support two to three simultaneous displays through a combination of HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-C with DisplayPort Alt Mode. Always check the exact port list and maximum resolution/refresh rate per port, since some combinations limit you to lower refresh rates when running three displays at once.
What size power adapter do these mini PCs ship with?
Power brick wattage varies by OEM and by how they configure TDP; there’s no fixed number tied to either chip. As a general rule, 8845HS machines, running a higher default TDP, tend to ship with a somewhat larger adapter than comparable HX 370 machines. Check the included adapter’s rated wattage against your intended workload, especially if you plan to run the chip at the top of its cTDP range.
Do either of these chips support Thunderbolt?
Neither chip has an integrated Thunderbolt controller; that support comes from a separate onboard controller chip that the OEM chooses to include or not. USB4, which both platforms support at the chip level, offers similar 40Gbps bandwidth but isn’t identical to Thunderbolt certification, so check each mini PC’s port list for whichever standard you specifically need.
Which chip is the better value if I only care about CPU performance, not graphics or AI?
The Ryzen 7 8845HS is usually the better value in that case. Its eight uniform Zen 4 cores handle most CPU-bound tasks well, and mini PCs built around it tend to cost less than HX 370 equivalents, since you’re not paying for graphics or NPU capability you won’t use.
Reviewed and edited by Jason Paik. Spotted an error? Tell us — we verify and correct. See how we create content.