The Ryzen 9 6900HX and Ryzen 9 7940HS are two of the most powerful mobile processors on the market today. They are both based on AMD’s latest Zen 3+ and Zen 4 architectures, respectively, and offer excellent performance for gaming, content creation, and other demanding applications.
Both processors feature integrated Radeon graphics, with the Ryzen 9 7940HS having a slightly more powerful Radeon 780M iGPU compared to the Radeon 680M iGPU in the Ryzen 9 6900HX.
The article is about to compare the specs and overall performance of the Ryzen 9 6900HX and Ryzen 9 7940HS processors and help readers decide which one is the better choice for their needs. We will take a detailed look at the key specifications of each processor, discuss their performance in different applications, and provide a recommendation on which one is the better choice for different types of users while they’re looking for a mini PC that equipped with those two chips.
Here is a table that compares the key specifications of the Ryzen 9 6900HX and Ryzen 9 7940HS
Feature |
Ryzen 9 6900HX |
Ryzen 9 7940HS |
CPU Architecture |
Zen 3+ |
Zen 4 |
Cores/Threads |
8/16 |
8/16 |
Base Clock Speed |
3.3 GHz |
4.0 GHz |
Max Boost Clock Speed |
4.9 GHz |
5.2 GHz |
TDP (Thermal Design Power) |
45W |
35W |
GPU |
Radeon RX 680M iGPU |
Radeon RX 760M iGPU |
GPU Clock Speed |
2000 MHz |
2500 MHz |
L3 Cache |
16 MB |
20 MB |
L2 Cache per Core |
0.5 MB |
1.0 MB |
Memory Support |
DDR4-3200 (Up to 64GB) |
DDR5-7500 (Up to 64GB) |
Memory Channels |
4 |
2 |
Multiplier Locked |
No |
Yes |
Additional Notes:
- The Ryzen 9 6900HX has a higher TDP than the Ryzen 9 7940HS, which means it may require a more robust cooling system.
- The Ryzen 9 7940HS has a faster base clock speed and max boost clock speed than the Ryzen 9 6900HX.
- The Ryzen 9 7940HS supports DDR5 memory, which offers faster speeds than DDR4 memory.
- The Ryzen 9 6900HX has an unlocked multiplier, which allows for overclocking.
- The Ryzen 9 7940HS has a significantly higher PassMark CPU score, indicating better overall performance.
Detailed Comparison
Architecture
The Ryzen 9 6900HX is based on AMD’s Zen 3+ architecture, while the Ryzen 9 7940HS is based on the newer Zen 4 architecture. Zen 4 offers a number of improvements over Zen 3+, including a new 5nm manufacturing process, a redesigned core architecture, and a larger L2 cache. These improvements result in better performance and power efficiency.
Cores and Threads
Both processors have 8 cores and 16 threads, which is the sweet spot for most users. This configuration provides a good balance of single-core and multi-core performance, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.
Clock Speeds
The Ryzen 9 7940HS has a slightly higher base clock (3.6 GHz vs 3.3 GHz) and boost clock (5.2 GHz vs 4.9 GHz) than the Ryzen 9 6900HX. This means that the Ryzen 9 7940HS will generally be faster in single-threaded applications, which are tasks that can only use one core at a time.
Cache
Both processors have 20 MB of cache, which is divided into L2 and L3 cache. The Ryzen 9 7940HS has a larger L2 cache (1 MB per core vs 512 KB per core), which can improve performance in applications that are heavily dependent on cache, such as games and video editing software.
Memory Support
Both processors support DDR5-4800 and LPDDR5-6400 memory. DDR5 memory is faster than DDR4 memory, and it can provide a significant performance boost in applications that are memory-intensive, such as video editing and 3D rendering.
PCIe Lanes
Both processors have 20 PCIe lanes, which can be used to connect to various components, such as graphics cards, storage devices, and Wi-Fi cards. The Ryzen 9 7940HS has 8 Gen 4 PCIe lanes and 12 Gen 3 PCIe lanes, while the Ryzen 9 6900HX has 8 Gen 4 PCIe lanes and 12 Gen 3 PCIe lanes. Gen 4 PCIe lanes are twice as fast as Gen 3 PCIe lanes, so the Ryzen 9 7940HS has a slight advantage in terms of connectivity.
Integrated Graphics
Both processors have integrated Radeon graphics, but the Ryzen 9 7940HS has a slightly more powerful Radeon 780M iGPU compared to the Radeon 680M iGPU in the Ryzen 9 6900HX. This means that the Ryzen 9 7940HS will be better suited for gaming and other graphics-intensive tasks.
Performance
In terms of performance, the Ryzen 9 7940HS typically outperforms the Ryzen 9 6900HX by 10-15% in single-core tests and 20-25% in multi-core tests. This is due to the Zen 4 architecture’s improvements in IPC (instructions per clock) and power efficiency.
In real-world applications, the Ryzen 9 7940HS is faster in gaming, content creation, and productivity tasks. For example, in gaming, the Ryzen 9 7940HS can achieve an average of 120 FPS in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p with high settings, while the Ryzen 9 6900HX can only achieve an average of 100 FPS.
In content creation, the Ryzen 9 7940HS can handle 4K video editing smoothly and can render complex 3D scenes in a reasonable amount of time. The Ryzen 9 6900HX can also handle these tasks, but it will take slightly longer.
In productivity tasks, the Ryzen 9 7940HS is also faster than the Ryzen 9 6900HX. For example, in office work and web browsing, the Ryzen 9 7940HS can handle multiple applications simultaneously without any lag.
Use Cases
The Ryzen 9 6900HX is a great choice for gamers and content creators who need a powerful processor for demanding applications. It is also a good choice for professionals who need a high-performance laptop for work.
The Ryzen 9 7940HS is a great choice for gamers, content creators, and professionals who need a powerful processor in a thin and compact mini computer. It is also a good choice for users who want the latest and greatest technology.
Recommendation
Gamers: The Ryzen 9 7940HS is the better choice for gamers who want the highest possible frame rates in the latest games.
Content Creators: The Ryzen 9 7940HS is also the better choice for content creators who need a powerful processor for video editing, photo editing, and 3D rendering.
Professionals: The Ryzen 9 7940HS is a great choice for professionals who need a powerful processor for demanding applications, such as CAD, engineering, and scientific research.
Final Thoughts
The Ryzen 9 7940HS is the better choice for most users. It offers better performance, power efficiency, and features than the Ryzen 9 6900HX. However, the Ryzen 9 6900HX is still a great choice for users who need a powerful processor but do not need the latest and greatest technology.
If you are looking for a powerful and compact mini PC with those two models, then GEEKOM mini PC is highly recommended. It is powered by the Ryzen 9 6900HX processor and Ryzen 9 7940HS offer excellent performance for gaming, content creation, and productivity tasks. It also has a sleek and stylish design that will look great in any home or office.
FAQ
Shivam Bhateja
Shivam Bhateja is a seasoned Computer Science Engineer with over 11 years of experience in the computer industry. He has held key technical positions, including Technical Head at EMIAC Technologies and Technical Lead at Menhood, where he led innovative projects and contributed to cutting-edge developments.