AMD is seemingly getting rid of its U, H, and HS processor designations. This could cause more confusion concerning the power consumption and performance of newer mobile chips.
According to Lenovo’s China Manager on Weibo, AMD is planning to change the way some of its processors are named. Starting with its Strix Point series, you’ll no longer see Team Red processors end in U, H, and HS designations. These are used to indicate the capabilities of each model, with U pointing at 15W chips, H at 35W, and HS at 45W. Instead, the brand will keep a single standard offering a TDP ranging from 15W to 45W.
While this could simplify the vendors’ operations as it won’t have to make specific boxes for each laptop variant, for example, the end user may get more confused. Currently, you can easily distinguish between an efficient and a performant part just by looking at the last letter of the CPU name. Gamers, for example, could search for HS series products to ensure their CPU gets enough power to reach its maximum frequency.
Further adding to this confusion, the rumour claims that AMD will continue using its HS designation, but this time for all models – including 15W versions. Customers who know just enough yet don’t follow the news may be fooled into thinking they’re getting a performance-oriented machine while, in reality, it’s an efficient 15W model.
The onus will now be on laptop manufacturers to state the power budget on each model, to lessen the impact. AMD has already been criticised for its refreshed mobile CPU naming, which moved the architecture number to the third column, thus confusing some into thinking that the 8640U is a generation ahead of the 7640U when they’re nearly identical chips.
This is another reminder to check reviews before jumping the gun on your next purchase. But as usual, until AMD officially announce this change, take the above with a grain of salt.