AMD has unveiled its latest AMD Ryzen and Athlon 7020 C-Series processors designed specifically for Chromebooks. These processors offer impressive speed, up to 4.3 GHz, with up to four cores and eight threads based on the reliable “Zen 2” architecture.
They also feature powerful AMD RDNA 2 integrated graphics, ensuring smooth performance for various tasks such as productivity, video conferencing, learning apps, and streaming. Additionally, AMD recently introduced the AMD Ryzen 7040U series mobile processors.
Power Efficiency and Extended Battery Life
The AMD Ryzen and Athlon 7020 C-Series processors, built on advanced 6nm technology, deliver exceptional power efficiency. Athlon Silver 7120C processors offer up to 19.5 hours of expected battery life, while Ryzen 3 7320C processors provide up to 17 hours of battery life. This enables Chromebook users to enjoy browsing, working, and learning for extended periods without needing to plug in.
Performance for Productivity and Multitasking
Designed for productivity and multitasking workloads, the AMD Ryzen and Athlon 7020 C-Series processors offer impressive performance. With up to four high-performance cores, eight threads, and up to 4.3 GHz boost, these processors outperform previous ChromeOS processors.
The Ryzen 3 7320C processor delivers 1.6 times higher average performance than the previous generation Ryzen-powered Chromebooks and offers a 15% performance advantage over the competition, with up to 3.5 hours longer battery life. The Athlon Silver 7120C processor outperforms competing ARM-based devices with a remarkable 1.8 times higher average performance boost.
Features and Connectivity
The AMD Ryzen and Athlon 7020 C-Series processors come equipped with modern features and connectivity options. They support high-speed LPDDR5 memory and are compatible with the latest wireless technologies, including Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2. The integrated AMD Radeon 610M graphics enable seamless streaming on up to three external 4K displays, offering a high-resolution viewing experience.
AMD Ryzen/Athlon 7020C Series: Chromebook Processors with Mendocino Architecture
The AMD Ryzen/Athlon 7020C series processors are based on AMD’s Mendocino graphics and TSMC’s 6 nm node. These processors are specifically designed for ChromeOS, while the regular 7020 series caters to Windows-based devices.
AMD Ryzen 5 7520C and Ryzen 3 7320C
The Ryzen 5 7520C is a 4C/8T processor with a 2.8 GHz base frequency and a 4.3 GHz 1T boost clock. The Ryzen 3 7320C is similar but slightly slower, with a base frequency of 2.4 GHz and a 1T boost frequency of 4.1 GHz. Both have dedicated 512 KB L1 cache per core, a total L2 cache of 2 MB, and a shared 4 MB L3 cache.
Athlon Gold 7220C and Athlon Silver 7120C
The Athlon Gold 7220C is a 2C/4T processor with 1 MB L2 cache and access to the same 4 MB L3 cache. It has a base frequency of 2.4 GHz and a 1T boost frequency of up to 3.7 GHz. The Athlon Silver 7120C is a 2C/2T chip with a base frequency of 2.4 GHz and a 1T boost frequency of 3.5 GHz.
Power Efficiency and Graphics Capabilities
The RDNA 2.0-based Radeon 610M integrated graphics are present in all four Ryzen/Athlon 7020C series processors. With 2 x CUs and a total of 128 shader cores clocked at 1.9 GHz, these processors prioritize power efficiency rather than gaming performance.
The 7020C series processors have a TDP of 15 W, indicating a focus on efficiency and extending battery life, crucial for mobile devices like Chromebooks. The Ryzen/Athlon 7020C series processors for ChromeOS differ from their counterparts for Windows devices due to security feature requirements specific to each operating system.
The 7020C series processors offer support for up to three external 4K60 displays and are compatible with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 technologies. Chromebook vendors will implement these features through controllers. AMD claims an average 1.8x uplift in performance compared to Arm’s IP and up to 15% better performance against x86 CISC competitors.
Dell Latitude 3445 Chromebook and ASUS Chromebook CM34 Flip
AMD has announced two new Chromebooks in partnership with Dell and ASUS, both based on the Ryzen and Athlon 7020C series processors. The Dell Latitude 3445 Chromebook features AMD 7020C processors, supports up to 256 GB of SSD, 16 GB of LPDDR5 memory, and has integrated Wi-Fi 6 and BT 5.2 support.
On the other hand, the ASUS Chromebook CM34 Flip (CM3401) offers a 14″ touchscreen display with an optional fingerprint sensor, powered by up to Ryzen 5 7520C processors. It includes an integrated FHD webcam with a privacy shutter, Wi-Fi 6, and BT 5.2 support.
Pricing and availability
These Chromebooks are expected to be released in Q2 2023, with other partners also launching Chromebooks with Ryzen/Athlon 7020C processors around the same time. Pricing details will be revealed later.
Commenting on the launch, Jason Banta, Corporate Vice President and General Manager, Client OEM, AMD, said:
Our Ryzen 7020 C-Series processors make Chromebooks work better than ever. No matter if you are a student or a professional, you can use different apps and programs without any problems and with a long-lasting battery. You will enjoy a smooth and easy experience overall.