The AMD-gaming laptop partnership has revolutionised portable gaming, offering high-performance, energy-efficient graphics technology. This collaboration enhances the gaming experience on laptops, providing gamers on the go with improved graphics and gameplay. On October 19, 2023, AMD officially launched its new Radeon RX 7900M chip. And similar as the previous partnership with its different graphic chips, the latest Radeon RX 7900M chip is set to debut exclusively with Dell’s Alienware m18. It’s another news for gamers who enhance quality graphics to take note of, and now let’s dive into more details.
Details on AMD’s Latest Radeon RX 7900M
The Radeon RX 7900M is the first laptop GPU featuring a “Chiplet” architecture and the second generation of ray tracing capabilities.
The Radeon 7900M boasts 72 AMD RDNA 3 compute units and is equipped with 16GB of GDDR6 VRAM. It includes second-generation ray tracing accelerators and features two dedicated AI accelerators per compute unit. Additionally, it offers support for AV1 encode and decode, with OBS enabling AV1 encode support for streamers. The media engine utilises Xilinx’s machine learning to enhance text quality in lower resolution or low-bitrate streams.
Attached below is a table for easy viewing purposes on its data:
Radeon RX 7900M | |
Compute Units | 72 (Unified AMD RDNA 3) |
RT Accelerators | 72 (Second gen) |
AI Accelerators | 144 |
Game Clock | 1,825 MHz |
Boost Clock | Up to 2,090 MHz |
GDDR6 Memory | 16GB |
Memory Interface | 256-Bit |
Memory Speed | 18 Gbps |
AMD Infinity Cache | 64MB (Second gen) |
AV1 Support | Hardware Encode/Decode |
Total Graphics Power | Up to 180W |
AMD is marketing the RX 7900M as a laptop graphics card that excels in high-speed gaming at 1440p, positioning it as a competitive option to the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU. According to AMD’s game selection, the 7900M is asserted to be 7% swifter than the RTX 4080. Additionally, AMD asserts that its GPU achieves even greater speed when considering AMD Hypr-RX and FSR 3.
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Radeon RX 7900M in Alienware’s m18
Besides the m18, Alienware has also recently unveiled an update to its well-received m17 R5 gaming laptop. The m17 was already an outstanding demonstration of an AMD Advantage system, and the m18 takes this to the next level. The Alienware m18 is fully committed to AMD integration, proudly claiming the title of the “Most potent 18-inch AMD Advantage laptop” ever crafted.
The phrase “AMD Advantage” is a marketing term signifying a computer purposefully designed for gaming using a range of AMD components and technologies. The m18 stands out as the inaugural computer to incorporate the brand-new AMD Radeon RX 7900M laptop graphics chip. Additionally, these laptops are powered by the highly esteemed AMD Ryzen 7945HX CPU. In essence, this laptop is a powerhouse, aptly described by Alienware as a “High-performance powerhouse”.
The Radeon RX 7900M has been engineered to provide top-tier visuals akin to desktop-grade quality even when tackling demanding AAA games. This GPU boasts a slew of cutting-edge features, including second-generation ray tracing accelerators, a generous 16GB of GDDR6 VRAM, and other advanced capabilities tailored to elevate gaming and content creation on the go.
More on the Alienware m18 Itself
Besides the powerful Radeon RX 7900M GPU, the Ryzen 9 7945 CPU plays a pivotal role, equipped with 16 potent cores, 32 processing threads, and AMD’s proprietary Zen 4 chiplet technology. This CPU is built using the groundbreaking 5nm design, a first for gaming laptops, promising enhanced power efficiency and swifter performance.
These laptops are bundled with AMD’s Adrenaline Edition software suite, featuring tools such as SmartShift for real-time power allocation between the GPU and CPU to enhance performance. Additionally, the proprietary SmartAccess graphics technology automatically prioritises game performance and reduces latency when employing FreeSync.
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However, laptops offer more than just numerical specifications, and the m18 boasts additional advantages worth noting. These machines are equipped with Alienware’s Cryo-tech thermal regulation technology. This advanced thermal interface material extends its coverage to both the CPU and GPU, featuring an expanded vapour chamber that envelops each component, facilitating the dissipation of heat throughout the entire system. The cooling system is further bolstered by four slim fans that work in tandem with eight heat pipes, channelling heated air out through five vents.
Moreover, you’ll enjoy an expansive 18-inch display panel featuring both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos technologies. With a 16:10 aspect ratio, QHD+ resolution, and a maximum refresh rate of 165Hz, this display elevates your visual experience. For competitive gaming situations, you have the option to overclock the refresh rate up to 480Hz, albeit at a potential resolution cost. Additionally, the laptop comes equipped with an FHD webcam and an IR camera for facial recognition.
Dell has released the upgraded Alienware m18 since October 19, building upon the previous version of the laptop launched earlier this year. The enhanced laptop will incorporate the Ryzen 9 7945HX processor, replacing the 7845HX, along with the Radeon RX 7900M GPU. It will also boast a larger 97Wh battery within an expanded 18-inch chassis. Two display choices will be available: an 18-inch 2560×1600 display with a 165Hz refresh rate, and an 18-inch 1920×1200 option offering an impressive 480Hz refresh rate. The price starts from $2,799.99 and will be different based on the various customisations chosen.
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Conclusion
Alienware’s latest m18 update, featuring AMD’s Radeon RX 7900M GPU, caters to gamers seeking high processing speed and top-notch graphics. The ongoing updates aim to provide enhanced specifications and options for a variety of gamers. In the highly competitive market, AMD, NVIDIA, and Intel continuously improve their products to attract consumer preferences. Gamers have the choice to select what suits them best. AMD takes the lead with the October release of the Radeon RX 7900M GPU, and future developments from NVIDIA and Intel remain to be seen.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Is the Alienware m18 with the Radeon RX 7900M GPU Priced?
As per Dell’s official website, the base price begins at $2,799.99 with basic customisations. The final price may vary based on individual preferences and choices. However, certain customisations might be set, especially when selecting the Radeon RX 7900M GPU, possibly due to stock limitations or other factors. To obtain the most up-to-date information on pricing and availability, it is advisable to check the official website or contact the company directly.
Why Should I Choose the AMD Radeon RX 7900M GPU?
The AMD Radeon RX 7900M GPU is equipped with 72 AMD RDNA 3 compute units, introducing advanced AI and second-generation raytracing accelerators. It also boasts 16GB of high-speed GDDR6 VRAM and includes features like AV1 encoding, all aimed at elevating the gaming and content creation experience on laptops.
Is AMD Better Than NVIDIA in Graphic Cards?
While AMD might not lead the way in tests heavily reliant on ray tracing and creative tasks, some cards in their lineup are undeniably providing formidable competition for NVIDIA in terms of overall performance. This means that if you’re aiming to enjoy top-tier PC games at 4K resolution and achieve a consistently smooth 60+ fps frame rate, AMD is now a strong alternative to NVIDIA.