AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS vs 8745HS: What’s the Difference?
The Ryzen 7 8845HS adds higher CPU and graphics clock speeds and a dedicated Ryzen AI NPU. The Ryzen 7 8745HS keeps the same eight-core Zen 4 CPU architecture and Radeon 780M graphics, but without the NPU.
Key Differences at a Glance
The 8845HS is the better-equipped processor on paper. The 8745HS does not sacrifice CPU cores, threads, or graphics cores.
| Specification | Ryzen 7 8745HS | Ryzen 7 8845HS |
|---|---|---|
| CPU architecture | Zen 4 | Zen 4 |
| CPU cores / threads | 8 / 16 | 8 / 16 |
| Base clock | 3.8 GHz | 3.8 GHz |
| Maximum boost clock | Up to 4.9 GHz | Up to 5.1 GHz |
| L2 / L3 cache | 8 MB / 16 MB | 8 MB / 16 MB |
| Default TDP | 45W | 45W |
| Configurable TDP | 35–54W | 35–54W |
| Integrated graphics | Radeon 780M | Radeon 780M |
| Graphics core count | 12 | 12 |
| Listed graphics frequency | 2,600 MHz | 2,700 MHz |
| Dedicated Ryzen AI NPU | No | Yes; up to 16 NPU TOPS |
CPU, graphics, and power specifications come from AMD’s official 8745HS and 8845HS pages.
CPU Performance: Is the 8845HS Worth Paying More For?
For office work, we would not pay extra solely for the processor
For documents, email, browser applications, and video calls, our recommendation is to keep the saving if an otherwise suitable 8745HS computer costs less. The 8845HS’s higher boost specification is not, by itself, a compelling reason to increase an office-PC budget.
A memory shortage is a more concrete problem to address. If your current applications regularly exhaust 16GB, choose a 32GB configuration or budget for an upgrade. If they fit comfortably within 16GB, additional capacity is optional—not an automatic performance improvement.
For rendering and compilation, do not replace an 8745HS solely with an 8845HS
Our recommendation for an existing 8745HS owner is to keep the current computer rather than buy another one just for this processor change.
AMD defines maximum boost as the frequency achievable by a single core during a bursty workload. It is not the speed all cores maintain throughout a long render or compilation. The higher advertised boost therefore does not establish how much time an 8845HS would save on those jobs.
That is a reason to reject a weak upgrade case—not a claim that the processors always perform identically. If faster project builds or CPU renders are the purpose of replacing your computer, require a demonstrated improvement before spending the money.
Radeon 780M Gaming: What Actually Changes?
We would not buy a replacement computer solely for the 8845HS’s higher graphics clock. Both processors use the same Radeon 780M graphics model with the same graphics-core count. Moving between them is not a graphics-class upgrade.
For a new mini PC, the practical priority is to avoid a poor memory configuration. Radeon 780M uses system memory, so capacity and the number of installed modules both matter.
What the third-party memory test demonstrates
In its Chuwi AuBox 8745 review, TechRadar replaced one 16GB DDR5-5600 module with two 16GB DDR5-4800 modules. The reported 3DMark Wild Life score rose from 10,604 to 16,986.
Capacity, module count, and memory speed changed together. This is evidence that the tested computer’s memory configuration mattered—not a controlled 8745HS-versus-8845HS comparison, a game-FPS result, or a KAMRUI performance measurement.
For a mini PC with two SO-DIMM slots, our recommendation is straightforward:
- Buying a ready-to-use gaming configuration: prefer two installed modules over one.
- Buying a single-module configuration: include the cost of a compatible second module before comparing prices.
- Choosing between two equally configured systems: do not treat the processor name as a substitute for the graphics capability you need.
For example, if your plan is to play Fortnite at 1080p using Performance Mode, we would prioritize a two-module setup over paying for the higher CPU model while leaving one memory slot empty. If your goal is Cyberpunk 2077 at 1440p with high settings and ray tracing, we would put the budget toward a suitable dedicated-GPU computer instead.
For more on how the GPU uses system RAM, see how much VRAM Radeon 780M has.
NPU and Ryzen AI: Who Benefits From the 8845HS?
The NPU is a reason to choose the 8845HS for a supported local AI workflow—not a reason to pay more for every application labeled “AI.”
The distinction becomes clearer when you separate three uses.
| AI use | Our recommendation |
|---|---|
| A cloud service processes your prompts remotely | Do not pay extra for the local NPU |
| You need a local feature explicitly supporting the 8845HS’s NPU | Choose the 8845HS over the 8745HS |
| You want to run a local language model | Choose hardware supported by the intended inference software; do not buy the 8845HS merely because it has an NPU |
There is a concrete limitation for the third case. AMD’s Ryzen AI Software 1.8 compatibility table lists INT8 convolutional-model support for Hawk Point, but does not list LLM support through ONNX Runtime GenAI for that platform. The 8845HS belongs to Hawk Point.
Our conclusion: do not choose the 8845HS specifically to obtain NPU-accelerated local chatbots through that software stack. This restriction does not prevent either processor from running local AI through other supported CPU or GPU backends.
Neither processor is the right choice for Copilot+ PC requirements
If Copilot+ features are essential, choose a qualifying Copilot+ PC rather than either of these processors. Microsoft requires a compatible platform with a 40+ TOPS NPU, above the 8845HS’s NPU capability.
Cloud-based Copilot services are separate from that hardware qualification. Our guide to TOPS in AI PCs explains the difference between NPU throughput and other AI performance figures.
Power, Cooling, and Noise
Neither processor earns a “quieter” or “more efficient” recommendation from its specifications alone.
Their matching TDP figures do not mean two finished computers consume the same electricity or produce the same fan noise. Cooling design and manufacturer power settings affect the result.
For a quiet office, make the computer’s measured noise—not the CPU suffix—the deciding factor. For a laptop used away from an outlet, prioritize battery-life testing of the actual laptop. There is no basis in this comparison to recommend the 8745HS as automatically cooler or the 8845HS as automatically less efficient.
Where the KAMRUI AM21 fits
The KAMRUI AM21 is worth shortlisting for documents, browser-based work, and everyday multitasking, particularly if you want a compact desktop with expandable memory and storage.
The current AM21 product listing specifies an 8745HS, 16GB DDR5-5600 memory, a 512GB NVMe SSD, two SO-DIMM slots, two M.2 storage slots, and USB4. Its storage slots support NVMe drives, not M.2 SATA SSDs.
KAMRUI AM21 Mini PC
- AMD Ryzen™ 7 8745HS — 8 Cores / 16 Threads
- AMD Radeon™ 780M Integrated Graphics
- 16GB DDR5-5600 RAM + 512GB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD
- USB4 Connectivity + Quad 4K Display Support
Final Verdict: Which Should You Choose?
For a new purchase at the same price, with comparable memory, storage, cooling, and support, choose the 8845HS. Its additional capabilities make it the stronger specification-based choice.
Choose an 8745HS system when it costs less and already provides the configuration you need, particularly for office work or a compact everyday PC without an NPU-specific requirement.
If you already own an 8745HS computer, do not replace it solely to move to an 8845HS. And if Copilot+ features or substantially stronger gaming graphics are the goal, look beyond this processor pair.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 32GB of RAM automatically make an 8745HS PC better than a 16GB 8845HS PC?
No. For office work, the extra capacity matters when your applications need it. For integrated-graphics gaming, the module arrangement also matters: 2×16GB and 1×32GB provide the same capacity but are not the same memory configuration.
Is the NPU the only difference between the Ryzen 7 8745HS and 8845HS?
No. The 8845HS also has a higher maximum CPU boost clock: 5.1 GHz versus 4.9 GHz. Its listed Radeon 780M graphics frequency is 2,700 MHz rather than 2,600 MHz. Both processors have eight CPU cores, 16 threads, and 12 graphics cores.
Is the Ryzen 7 8745HS the same as the 8745HX?
No. These are different processors, not interchangeable names. The 8745HS includes Radeon 780M graphics and 16MB of L3 cache; the 8745HX has Radeon 610M graphics and 32MB of L3 cache. When shopping for a computer without a dedicated GPU, do not mistake an 8745HX listing for the Radeon 780M configuration discussed here.
Do the 8745HS and 8845HS need a dedicated graphics card?
No. Both include Radeon 780M integrated graphics, so a dedicated GPU is unnecessary for documents, browsing, video calls, and video playback.
If your main goal is demanding gaming at 1440p with high graphics settings, we recommend a computer with a suitable dedicated GPU instead of paying extra merely to move from the 8745HS to the 8845HS.
Is an 8745HS PC with 32GB of RAM better than an 8845HS PC with 16GB?
Choose the 32GB system if your workload already exhausts 16GB—for example, when running virtual machines alongside your everyday applications. Extra capacity is not a reason to switch if your work fits comfortably within 16GB.
For Radeon 780M gaming on a mini PC with two SO-DIMM slots, we recommend two installed memory modules. A 2×16GB configuration provides both 32GB capacity and access to both memory channels; 1×32GB does not.
Can the Ryzen 7 8745HS run AI applications without an NPU?
Yes. Cloud-based AI services perform inference on remote servers, so they do not require a local NPU. Local AI applications can also operate through supported CPU or GPU backends.
If you use AI through a cloud service, there is no reason to replace an 8745HS computer solely to gain the 8845HS’s NPU. An NPU is not a general requirement for using AI.
Should I replace my Ryzen 7 8745HS computer with an 8845HS model?
We would not recommend replacing a working 8745HS computer solely for this processor change. Address the actual limitation instead: upgrade memory if you are running out, add storage if the SSD is full, or choose stronger graphics hardware if gaming performance is inadequate.
An 8845HS replacement makes sense when it also provides a specific capability you need, such as NPU acceleration explicitly supported by your application.