Ryzen 9 8945HS vs Ryzen AI 9 HX 370: Which Processor Is Right for You in the AI PC Era?
Introduction
The AI PC era is here. AMD has two flagship mobile processors aimed at different priorities: the Ryzen 9 8945HS (balanced efficiency) and the new Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 (AI-forward performance). Below you'll find a detailed comparison tailored for ACEMAGIC's S3A and F5A Mini PCs.
Ryzen 9 8945HS vs Ryzen AI 9 HX 370: Specs Overview
AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS
- Architecture: Zen 4, 4nm process
- Cores/Threads: 8 cores, 16 threads
- GPU: Radeon 780M
- Memory Support: DDR5 5600MHz
- TDP: 35–54W
- Positioning: Balanced efficiency and performance, ideal for productivity and moderate gaming
- Representative device: ACEMAGIC S3A Mini PC (dual M.2 slots, WiFi 6, 2.5G LAN, versatile video outputs)
AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370
- Architecture: Zen 5 + XDNA 2 NPU, AI acceleration support
- Cores/Threads: 12 cores, 24 threads
- GPU: Radeon 890M (2900MHz)
- AI Engine: 2nd Gen Ryzen AI NPU
- Memory Support: DDR5 5600MHz
- TDP: 45–65W
- Positioning: Future-ready with AI features, optimized for creative workloads and heavy multitasking
- Representative device: ACEMAGIC F5A Mini PC (WiFi 7, dual 2.5G LAN, OCuLink expansion, AI-optimized design)
Key Comparison: Ryzen 9 8945HS vs Ryzen AI 9 HX 370
| Parameter | ACEMAGIC S3A (Ryzen™ 9 8945HS) | ACEMAGIC F5A (Ryzen™ AI 9 HX 370) |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | 8C/16T, Zen 4 | 12C/24T, Zen 5 + XDNA 2 AI NPU |
| GPU | Radeon 780M | Radeon 890M (2900MHz) |
| AI Engine | None | 2nd Gen Ryzen AI NPU |
| Memory | DDR5 5600MHz, up to 96GB | DDR5 5600MHz, up to 96GB |
| Storage | 2× M.2 PCIe 4.0/3.0 (up to 4TB) | 2× M.2 PCIe 4.0 (up to 4TB) |
| Wireless | WiFi 6 + BT 5.2 | WiFi 7 + BT 5.4 |
| Video Outputs | HDMI 2.0, DP 2.0, USB4 | HDMI 2.1, DP 2.1, dual USB4 |
| Networking | 1× 2.5G LAN | 2× 2.5G LAN + OCuLink |
| Size | 135 × 162.7 × 71.8 mm | 132 × 130 × 61 mm |
Further Reading
Performance & Use Case Comparison
1. CPU Performance
Ryzen 9 8945HS: Strong single-core speeds with capable multi-core performance, making it ideal for office tasks, video editing, and light gaming.
Ryzen AI 9 HX 370: With 50% more cores and threads, it excels in heavy multitasking and professional workloads.
Benchmark insight: In multi-threaded tests, the HX 370 scores ~19% higher than the 8945HS. Single-core performance is nearly identical, but the HX 370 consumes ~47% more power.
2. GPU Performance
Radeon 780M (8945HS): Runs esports titles and some AAA games smoothly at 1080p.
Radeon 890M (HX 370): Delivers much stronger graphics, capable of 4K gaming and demanding rendering tasks.
3. AI Acceleration
Ryzen 9 8945HS: No dedicated AI engine — relies on CPU/GPU for AI workloads.
Ryzen AI 9 HX 370: Features the 2nd Gen Ryzen AI NPU, powering next-gen AI features like Windows Copilot+, speech recognition, video enhancement, and local AI image generation.
4. Power & Cooling
ACEMAGIC S3A (8945HS): Runs quieter and cooler, making it a reliable choice for long hours of office use.
ACEMAGIC F5A (HX 370): Designed for maximum performance, with enhanced cooling for heavy workloads.
Which CPU Should You Choose?
Choose ACEMAGIC S3A (Ryzen 9 8945HS) if you:
- Want value and efficiency
- Are primarily an office worker or light content creator
- Need a stable, quiet system for multitasking and media consumption
Choose ACEMAGIC F5A (Ryzen AI 9 HX 370) if you:
- Need AI acceleration and cutting-edge performance
- Play modern games or work with 3D rendering and 4K/8K video
- Want a future-proof PC ready for AI applications
Final Verdict
The Ryzen 9 8945HS remains a balanced choice for those who prioritize efficiency, stability, and cost-effectiveness — perfect for everyday productivity.
The Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, however, is the clear pick for AI-driven workloads, advanced multitasking, and graphics-intensive applications, making it the better option for future-forward users.
In short:
- For office and long runtime efficiency → 8945HS
- For AI applications, 4K gaming, and future scalability → HX 370
FAQ
Q1: Does Ryzen 9 8945HS support AI acceleration?
No, it lacks a dedicated NPU. AI workloads run on the CPU/GPU only.
Q2: What’s the benefit of the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370’s NPU?
It accelerates AI workloads like Copilot+ PC, video processing, voice recognition, and local AI apps with higher efficiency.
Q3: Which is better for gaming?
The Radeon 890M (HX 370) is significantly stronger, especially for 4K gaming and higher-quality settings.
Q4: Which is better for office use?
The ACEMAGIC S3A (8945HS) is more energy-efficient, cost-effective, and well-suited for long working hours.
