AMD has a bunch of new Ryzen 5000 Mobile CPUs. Which one is best for you?

AMD Ryzen 5000 Mobile processors are hitting laptops. Which one is right for you?

AMD unveiled its Ryzen 5000 Mobile processors (CPU) at CES 2021, complementing its Ryzen 5000 Desktop chips unveiled late 2020. Like the Ryzen 4000 Mobile CPUs before, Ryzen 5000 Mobile is split into H-series and U-series. The former chips are meant for gaming and creator laptops, while the latter chips are meant for thin, light laptops with snappy performance and long battery life.

There are quite a few different CPUs in each series, and we're expecting them to show up in the best Windows laptop options out there. Buying the right one for your needs can be difficult. We break things down here to ensure you're getting the right hardware for the task at hand.

AMD Ryzen 5000 H-series Mobile CPUs

Since some laptops with AMD Ryzen 5000 H-series CPUs have launched, we'll focus on the more powerful hardware first.

AMD splits its H-series Ryzen Mobile processors into three categories, much like Intel does with its Core line. Whereas there are Ryzen 3 chips in the lower-powered U-series line, H-series is meant for gaming and creating, so AMD starts with a Ryzen 5 and goes up to a Ryzen 9.

• Ryzen 5 — 6 cores, 12 threads
• Ryzen 7 — 8 cores, 16 threads
• Ryzen 9 — 8 cores, 16 threads

AMD has built these CPUs with a 7nm process. They have a TDP starting at 35W with the Ryzen 5 5600HS and go up to 45W+ with the Ryzen 9 5980HX. Let's take a closer look at these CPUs that are only available in laptops.

AMD Ryzen 5 5000 H-series CPUs

CPU	Cores	Threads	Base/Boost Clock	Cache	Node	TDP
AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS	6	12	3.0GHz (4.2GHz)	19MB	7nm	35W
AMD Ryzen 5 5600H	6	12	3.3GHz (4.2GHz)	19MB	7nm	45W

There are two Ryzen 5 CPUs in this class: Ryzen 5 5600HS and Ryzen 5 5600H. Each has six cores and 12 threads, and a base clock speed of 4.2GHz. However, the "HS" version has a lower 35W TDP compared to a 45W TDP in the "H" version. Expect to see the 5600HS in gaming laptops that go for the thin and light look.

Bottom line: Ryzen 5 H-series CPUs are an excellent jumping-off point for gamers and creators who aren't looking to push their systems to the absolute maximum. They cost less, and they should be a great choice for the average gamer or creator.

AMD Ryzen 7 5000 H-series CPUs

CPU	Cores	Threads	Base/Boost Clock	Cache	Node	TDP
AMD Ryzen 7 5800HS	8	16	2.8GHz (4.4GHz)	20MB	7nm	35W
AMD Ryzen 7 5800H	8	16	3.2GHz (4.4GHz)	20MB	7nm	45W

Ryzen 7 5000 CPUs are where most people will settle. There are two options: the Ryzen 7 5800HS and the Ryzen 5800H — each with eight cores and 16 threads. Again, the "HS" version comes in at a lower 35W TDP, while the "H" version hits a higher 45W TDP.

These CPUs will handle just about any modern game, and they'll put up a strong fight against intensive design and development software. The extra cores over the Ryzen 5 chips make them better for multitasking, and they likewise have a higher boost clock speed.

Bottom line: Ryzen 7 H-series CPUs should be the right choice for most people with a little bit more money to spend. They're going to deliver high-end gaming and creating performance, and they cost less than Ryzen 9.

AMD Ryzen 9 5000 H-series CPUs

CPU	Cores	Threads	Base/Boost Clock	Cache	Node	TDP
AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS	8	16	3.0GHz (4.6GHz)	20MB	7nm	35W
AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX	8	16	3.3GHz (4.6GHz)	20MB	7nm	45W+
AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS	8	16	3.0GHz (4.8GHz)	20MB	7nm	35W
AMD Ryzen 9 5980HX	8	16	3.3GHz (4.8GHz)	20MB	7nm	45W+

The Ryzen 9 5000 H-series lineup has the most entries at four total. The Ryzen 9 5900HS and the Ryzen 9 5900HX are the more standard CPUs, with 35W and 45W+ respectively. Yes, the "HX" version can draw more power as needed for better performance, and it should be reserved for larger laptops. The "HS" version is again reserved for thin and light notebooks.

There are also Ryzen 9 5980HS and Ryzen 9 5980HX CPUs, each with eight cores and 16 threads. These deliver a higher boost clock for improved performance, and they're also pegged at the same 35W and 45W+ TDP.

Bottom line: Ryzen 9 CPUs are reserved for the most powerful laptops out there. The 5900HS and 5900HX should cost less than the 5980 counterparts, but all will deliver top-end performance for gamers and creators who want to push their system to the next level.

AMD Ryzen 5000 U-series Mobile CPUs

AMD splits its U-series Ryzen CPUs into three different categories, starting with the Ryzen 3 and moving up to the Ryzen 7. These entries mirror Intel's Core series, and you can expect them to compare in terms of appropriate workload and performance.

• Ryzen 3 — 4 cores, 8 threads
• Ryzen 5 — 6 cores, 12 threads
• Ryzen 7 — 8 cores, 16 threads

Whereas the Ryzen 5000 H-series CPUs are all based on the new Zen 3 architecture, not all Ryzen 5000 U-series CPUs are the same. The lone Ryzen 3 and one each of the new Ryzen 5 and Ryzen 7 CPUs are still using the Zen 2 architecture, as we'll see below. These will still perform well, but they do have a smaller cache and overall less performance than their Zen 3 siblings.

AMD Ryzen 3 5000 U-series CPUs

CPU	Cores	Threads	Base/Boost Clock	Cache	Node	TDP	Architecture
AMD Ryzen 3 5300U	4	8	2.6GHz (3.8GHz)	6MB	7nm	15W	Zen 2

The Ryzen 3 5300U, based on the Zen 2 architecture, sits alone and should be reserved for low-impact work only. You should find it in budget laptops looking to keep cost down and performance modest.

Bottom line: The Ryzen 3 5300U is good for productivity work, like word processing, web browsing, and streaming. Heavy multitasking will cause problems.

AMD Ryzen 5 5000 U-series CPUs

CPU	Cores	Threads	Base/Boost Clock	Cache	Node	TDP	Architecture
AMD Ryzen 5 5500U	6	12	2.1GHz (4.0GHz)	8MB	7nm	15W	Zen 2
AMD Ryzen 5 5600U	6	12	2.3GHz (4.2GHz)	19MB	7nm	15W	Zen 3

Both Ryzen 5 chips have a 15W TDP with six cores and 12 threads, but only the 5600U uses the new Zen 3 architecture with a larger cache and better overall performance. Stick with the 5600U for the better buy in this regard.

Bottom line: The Ryzen 5 5000 U-series CPUs should be reserved for heavier work and even some light gaming. The six cores provide lots of power, yet they don't cost as much as the Ryzen 7.

AMD Ryzen 7 5000 U-series CPUs

CPU	Cores	Threads	Base/Boost Clock	Cache	Node	TDP	Architecture
AMD Ryzen 7 5700U	8	16	1.8GHz (4.3GHz)	8MB	7nm	15W	Zen 2
AMD Ryzen 7 5800U	8	16	1.9GHz (4.4GHz)	20MB	7nm	15W	Zen 3

There are two U-series options here, with the Ryzen 7 5700U sticking with Zen 2 while the Ryzen 7 5800U moves up to the new Zen 3. These CPUs are cut out for heavy multitasking thanks to eight cores, and they'll even handle a bit of gaming. Go with the Ryzen 7 5800U for best results thanks to the larger cache and better overall performance.

Bottom line: Those who are looking for a thin and light notebook with excellent performance should opt for the Ryzen 7. Extra cores and a higher boost clock mean more power compared to Ryzen 5 and Ryzen 3, and they're still set at a 15W TDP.