The Razer Blade 14 (2023) Laptop Review: Ryzen 9 7940HS Tested With GeForce RTX 4070 Graphics
by Gavin Bonshor on June 20, 2023 11:00 AM ESTRazer Blade 14 (2023): Compute Performance
Typically in previous notebook reviews, we lump basic compute and general performance in with our system performance summary. As we advance into 2023 and beyond, we'll split the sections up and use some of our 2023 CPU Suite benchmarks to measure performance, not just from a compute standpoint but also from memory and other compute-related variables that can substantially affect compute performance.
As we move into 2023 and beyond, we'll also have more data points as we test more notebooks, and for now, we've included our data from some of our more recent yet relevant CPU reviews to judge performance. This includes AMD's Ryzen 7 7700, which is also an 8C/16T part as the Ryzen 9 7940HS within the Razer Blade 14 is; both also use Zen 4 cores, making comparing performance relevant.
In our 3DPM v2.1 benchmark, the lower powered Ryzen 9 7940HS and the Razer Blade 14 perform very similarly to AMD's desktop Ryzen 5 7600, a 6C/12T part with a 65 W TDP. As a Zen 4 part, it comfortably beats the Ryzen 5 5600G (6C/12T) APU in compute. As AMD enabled support for the AVX-512 instruction set within the Zen 4 architecture, there's a performance boost associated with AVX-512 workloads, something the previous Zen 3 cores can't benefit from.
Moving through our short-form compute performance comparisons, Blender is a popular benchmark to determine a processor's ability to process multiple samples when rendering. Across the three tests, including the BMW27, Classroom, and Pabellon Barcelona tests, the Razer Blade 14 and its Ryzen 9 7940HS perform exceptionally well compared to desktop chips with similar architecture (Zen 4) and core/thread configuration/count.
In our Crysis CPU rendering benchmark at 1080p medium settings, the Razer Blade 14/Ryzen 9 7940HS also performs very well, similar to the AMD Ryzen 5 7600 processor.
In our C-Ray benchmark, the Ryzen 9 7940HS within the Razer Blade 14 comfortably beats the Ryzen 5 7600 and is only around 15% behind the Ryzen 7 7700, which also has a 20% higher TDP attributed to it. This is another win for AMD's Zen 4 efficiency.
One of the most popular CPU benchmarks for users is CineBench R23, which offers both a single-thread and multi-threaded test. In the single-threaded test, the Razer Blade 14 and its Ryzen 9 7940HS have solid ST and IPC performance, even operating with lower power. In the multi-threaded test, performance is as good as expected from an 8C/16T chip, considering its only around 19% off the Ryzen 7 7700.
The last benchmark in our short-form compute performance suite is WinRAR 5.90, which is not only a good judge of compute performance but also includes elements where memory performance also comes into play. Comparing the Razer Blade 14 (2023) with the mobile Ryzen 9 7940HS processor to other chips, it's only 9% behind the desktop Ryzen 7 7700, with the gap closed with the use of faster DDR5-5600 memory on the Blade 14 versus the DDR5-5200 on the desktop chips when we tested them.
We test memory at JEDEC specifications in our CPU reviews, and using DDR5-5600 over DDR5-5200, considering AMD's Infinity Fabric interconnect, shows some performance benefits in memory-intensive and sensitive benchmarks.
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alphaod - Saturday, June 24, 2023 - link
Review is interesting. I agree with some of the comments here there seems to a sparse comparison to other gaming laptops, even if the previous generations would be kind of nice. For example, I own the 2021 model with the 5900HX & 3080 combo, so knowing how this compares would nice comparison.If I had to offer an opinion... I don't know anyone that really cares about productivity (Office) benchmarks nor SSD speeds. Most, if not all, major brand SSDs are basically the same bread and butter these days. Let's be real, nobody shopping for a laptop to do Excel's going to check benchmarks for it. They would care more about screen readability (do I need to clean it a lot or can I neglect it a little still see what I'm doing), how the keyboard and trackpad feels (is the spacing good or does the trackpad work well), is the webcam any good in different lightning for video calls. Is the login process easy like a fingerprint reader or IR camera. Does Windows Hello properly? On my 2021 model all these answers are they are excellent except the trackpad is hard to use when you need click and drag stuff; I use mine for work; a professional review should address these for productivity instead of nonsensical productivity benchmarks.
obed51815 - Thursday, July 20, 2023 - link
Thanks for sharing this post. It's fascinating to see how Razer has continuously evolved its Blade series over the years, offering various configurations to cater to different user preferences. The inclusion of AMD's Ryzen 9 7940HS processor with its powerful Zen 4 cores and integrated RDNA 3 GPU sounds promising for performance. Additionally, the option for either the GeForce RTX 4060 or RTX 4070 Laptop GPU adds flexibility to the lineup.It's impressive how AMD's Ryzen processors have reshaped the premium gaming laptop market, bringing healthy competition and more choices for consumers. This competition has undoubtedly driven both AMD and Intel to push the boundaries in terms of efficiency, performance, and affordability. As a potential buyer, it's essential to carefully consider the different configurations available and find the one that best suits individual needs and budget.
Ultimately, the Razer Blade 14 (2023) seems like a compelling option for gamers and power users alike, especially with its combination of Ryzen processing power and NVIDIA's latest mobile GPU technology. When making a decision, it's always a good idea to research and compare benchmarks to ensure it meets specific performance requirements. Happy gaming!