Title: Intel Launches Refreshed Raptor Lake-HX Mobile Processors with Improved Single-Core Performance
Intel has unveiled a minor update to its HX mobile processors for 2024, introducing the Raptor Lake-HX Refresh models. While the changes are not significant, they do bring some improvements to the lineup. The 13th generation HX series has now been streamlined to feature five models, down from the previous nine options.
At the helm of the new lineup, the Core i9-14900HX takes the crown as the top model. This processor boasts 24 cores and 32 threads, with a maximum turbo boost reaching 5.8 GHz. This power boost allows for enhanced single-core performance, a notable improvement over its predecessors.
In recent tests, Intel has successfully reclaimed its performance supremacy from Apple. However, this increased performance comes at the cost of higher power consumption, impacting overall efficiency. The efficiency may vary depending on each laptop’s power limits.
While the multi-core performance of the new Core i9-14900HX is similar to the old 13th generation Core-i9-HX models, the Raptor Lake-HX Refresh does exhibit improved single-core performance in gaming. However, these differences are barely noticeable at maximum quality settings and high resolutions, as they are influenced by power limits.
Despite Intel’s advancements, AMD’s Ryzen 9 7945HX3D with 3D V-Cache remains a strong contender in certain games, delivering superior efficiency and high performance among mobile HX CPUs.
Looking ahead, the Core i9-14900HX is expected to dominate the high-end gaming and multimedia laptop market in 2024. Its availability in various premium laptops will likely solidify Intel’s position as a leading processor provider.
For users considering an upgrade, it is advisable to skip the transition from a 13th-gen Core-i9-HX model to the Raptor Lake-HX Refresh. Switching from an Alder-Lake chip, such as the Core i9-12900HX, might make more sense due to the compatibility with older Nvidia RTX-3000 graphics cards.
Overall, while the Raptor Lake-HX Refresh does not revolutionize Intel’s HX mobile processors, it offers incremental improvements in single-core performance, positioning Intel to meet the demands of demanding gaming and multimedia applications in 2024.
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