Microsoft Embraces AMD: Custom Ryzen 7 Surface Edition CPUs Debut in Surface Laptop 3 (Updated)
Microsoft announced today at its launch event that it has infused its Surface Laptop 3 with new "AMD Ryzen Surface Edition" processors that consist of custom AMD APUs with Radeon RX Vega GPUs specifically tailored for the new 6th-gen Microsoft laptop. The new AMD processors will come in some 15" Surface Laptop 3 models, while Intel's 10th-gen 10nm Ice Lake processors will power both 13.5" and 15" models.
Microsoft touted that the laptops with AMD processors will still feature "all day battery life" and fast charging that powers the battery to 80% in one hour. Microsoft hasn't shared the technical details we're after yet, but did say that the 15W chip features custom graphics cores and that the processor is the fastest mobile variant "bar none" that AMD has ever produced.
Microsoft also claims it is the fastest processor, in terms of graphics performance, in its class. That's an interesting statement considering that AMD's chip grapples with Intel's Gen 11 graphics on Ice Lake. AMD listed the specific processors and provided a few of its internally-derived benchmarks:
| Row 0 - Cell 0 | Cores / Threads | Base / Boost (GHz) | Graphics | Process | TDP | 3DMark 11 Score | 3DMark Timespy Score |
| Ryzen 7 3780U "Surface Edition" | 4 / 8 | 2.3 / 4.0 | Radeon RX Vega 11 (11 CU) @ 1.4 GHz | 12nm / Zen+ | 15W | 5124 | 1126.5 |
| Ryzen 5 3580U "Surface Edition" | 4 / 8 | 2.1 / 3.7 | Radeon RX Vega 9 (9CU) @ 1.3 GH | 12nm / Zen+ | 15W | ~ | ~ |
| Intel Core i7-1065G7 | 4 / 8 | 1.3 / 3.9 | Iris Plus Graphics | 10nm / Ice Lake | 15W | 4910 (4% less) | 957 (18% less) |
| Intel Core i7-8665U | 4 / 8 | 1.9 / 4.8 | UHD Graphics 620 | 14nm / Whiskey Lake | 15W | 2019.5 (154% less) | 455.3 (147% less) |
| Intel Core i7-8565U | 4 / 8 | 1.8 / 4.6 | UHD Graphics 620 | 14nm / Whiskey Lake | 15W | 2237.8 (129% less) | 485.5 (132% less) |
| Ryzen 7 3700U | 4 / 8 | 2.3 / 4.0 | Radeon RX Vega 10 (10 CU) @ 1.4 GHz | 12nm / Zen+ | 15W | 4432.3 (15% less) | 969 (16% less) |
*AMD-provided benchmark scores
Given the relative performance and specifications, it appears the Ryzen 7 3780U used in the Surface Laptop 3 is a modified variant of AMD's 12nm Ryzen 7 3700U. AMD also says the Ryzen 7 3780U Surface Edition has a "hybrid-turbo-like capacity for bursts up to 4 GHz of “Zen+” CPU performance." Microsoft will also offer a lesser, but still customized, Ryzen 5 3580U processor with Radeon RX Vega 9 graphics @ 1.3 GHz for budget models.
We've provided a list of the systems AMD used for comparison below, but all configurations feature dual-channel memory, which is a key consideration to unlock the full graphics performance.
Microsoft says it co-engineered the platform and silicon for the AMD processor, which meshes well with AMD's continued efforts in the custom silicon space. AMD also divulged that the processor supports FreeSync. Notably, the AMD-powered models are only targeted at the consumer market and support Wi-Fi 5, while Intel's Ice Lake chips are destined for commercial users and come with Wi-Fi 6. Microsoft says it has relegated the AMD models to the consumer market because it wants to maintain consistency in the commercial market, which is possible with Intel processors because they come in both 13.5" and 15" models. It's logical to assume that Intel's vPro might also factor into the equation. Intel-powered versions of the Surface come with support for LPDDR4X-3733, while AMD models come with DDR4-2400.
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The new laptops come in both 13.5" and 15" variants and will start at $999 and $1,199, respectively. Both models will ship October 22 but are available for preorder today.
The laptops come armed with a Type-C port, USB-A port, a Surface Connect Port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Notably, both Intel and AMD variants of the laptop lack Thunderbolt 3. Three colors are on the menu, with options for Cobalt, Black, and Platinum. Storage options start at 128GB and stretch up to 1TB, while memory options span from 8GB to 16GB.
The laptops mark a new level of sorely-needed sophistication that we aren't accustomed to seeing with AMD-powered laptops, which should encourage more development from other OEMs.
“With AMD Ryzen Microsoft Surface Edition processors, AMD brings to market the most powerful mobile processors for ultrathin laptops we ever created,” said Rick Bergman, executive vice president, computing and graphics business group, AMD. “The AMD-powered MicrosoftSurfaceLaptop 3 delivers premium craftsmanship only AMD could help bring to life, combining a 15-inch laptop with a customized 15W processor to create a device that packs all the power and visual experiences of a large screen with the benefits of an ultra-thin, 3.4 pounds device. Widely recognized for offering world-class CPU and GPU performance, AMD is pleased to partner with Microsoft and continue bringing innovation to the market.”
Here are the tested platforms for AMD's performance comparisons:
- AMD system: Microsoft Surface laptop with AMD Ryzen 7 3780U with Radeon RX Vega 11 Graphic Microsoft Surface Edition processor
- Intel 10th Gen System: Dell XPS 7390 2-in-1, Intel Core i7-1065G7 processor, 15W TDP, 2x 8GB memory, 256GB Toshiba SSD, Intel Iris Plus Graphics 940
- Intel 8th Gen System: Lenovo Thinkpad T490s laptop, Intel Core i7-8665U processor, 2x 4GB memory, Samsung 500GB SSD, Intel UHD Graphics 620
- Intel 8th Gen System: HP ENVY x360 Convertible 15 laptop, Intel Core i7-8565U processor, 2x 4GB memory, Samsung 512GB SSD, Intel UHD Graphics 620
AMD also shared a blog post covering some of the new innovations, which you can read in full here.
Paul Alcorn is the Editor-in-Chief for Tom's Hardware US. He also writes news and reviews on CPUs, storage, and enterprise hardware.
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bigdragon Finally! I'm surprised it has taken Microsoft this long given their strong relationship with AMD on the XBox side. It's nice to see a mobile Ryzen show up in a premium laptop! My workplace has some Ryzen laptops equipped with the 2700U and 2500U. They absolutely smoke Intel in graphics performance, so I don't see what's so bold about Microsoft touting AMD's graphics advantages over Intel there.Reply
Now we just need to get some of the Ryzen mobile CPUs to show up in premium tablet PC / 2-in-1 devices. Project Athena seems to be creating a huge graphics performance dead zone there given that system vendors have removed the option for Nvidia graphics on all new models. I also hope that the mobile market starts seeing the same core count competition we're seeing on desktop right now. -
RodroX Good that AMD has arrived to Surface devices, this will probably allow a bit better budget friendly devices.Reply
And as a matter of fact only the 10 gen CPU in the article support LPDDR4 3700 (as max memory frecuency) which doesn't mean Microsoft will pick a memory stick with that frecuency for thier Surface devices. Core i7 8xxxU named in the article they all have basically the the same memory support than AMD (DDR4 2400) plus LPDDR3 2133 support.
AMD is using a custom chip based on zen+ which is why memory support is not the highest. If they release a new custom made chip for Surface, based on 7nm node, it will probably add support for higher memory speed. -
bit_user Reply
Good catch.setx said:How can a score be "147% less"? Is it now 47% into negative?
It appears the author is reporting 100% * (x/R - 1), where x is the experimental (Ryzen 7 3780U) and R is each given point of reference.
What he should've done is report 100 % * R/x, to indicate the that R is so many % as fast as x (where, in this case, R will always be some amount < 100% as fast) or report 100% * (1 - R/x) to indicate the % faster that x is than R.