Ryzen AI 7 345: Ryzen 7 Branding, Ryzen 5 Performance

The AMD Ryzen AI 7 345 began appearing in laptops in 2026 with an unusual position in AMD's lineup. Despite its Ryzen AI 7 name, it has just six CPU cores, 8 MB of L3 cache and entry-level Radeon 840M graphics. Even the older Ryzen AI 5 340 has stronger specifications - and delivers better benchmark results.

The processor combines modern Zen 5 architecture with a 50 TOPS NPU for Copilot+ features, but its CPU performance is closer to mid-range Ryzen 5 and Core Ultra 5 models. That becomes a problem when laptops with the 345 are priced alongside machines with faster processors and graphics.

Architecture: Why a Ryzen AI 5 Can Be Faster

The Ryzen AI 7 345 belongs to AMD's 4 nm Krackan Point family. It combines two Zen 5 cores running at up to 4.6 GHz with four compact Zen 5c cores reaching 3.4 GHz, providing six cores and 12 threads.

Zen 5c uses the same instruction set and core architecture as Zen 5 but has a smaller physical design, reduced cache and lower clock speeds. The processor also includes RDNA 3.5 graphics and an XDNA 2 NPU.

The Ryzen AI 5 340 has one additional full-size Zen 5 core, a 200 MHz higher boost clock and twice the L3 cache. Both processors use the same Radeon 840M graphics.

The Ryzen AI 7 345 has a default TDP of 28 W, configurable between 15 and 54 W. It supports DDR5-5600 and LPDDR5X-8000 memory through a dual-channel controller.

AMD subsequently introduced the Ryzen AI 7 445 in its Ryzen AI 400 family. The two processors share the same core configuration, frequencies, cache and graphics. Results from 445 laptops therefore provide useful additional evidence of what the 345 architecture can deliver, although laptop power settings still affect performance.

CPU Performance: Below the Ryzen AI 5 340

The Ryzen AI 7 345 performs well in single-threaded tasks, but its reduced core configuration limits multi-threaded performance.

The Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 8 scores 1,818 points in Cinebench R23 Single, 11,461 in Multi, and 2,604 / 9,100 in Geekbench 6. Its Cinebench 2024 scores are 107 and 618 points.

CPU benchmarks in real laptops

The Ryzen AI 5 340 leads the 345 by 5% in Cinebench R23 Multi and 17% in Geekbench 6 Multi in these tested laptops. The gap is not solely attributable to processor specifications, since the Yoga 7 and ThinkPad use different cooling systems, power limits and memory configurations. Nevertheless, both tests place the lower-numbered Ryzen AI 5 ahead.

The Ryzen AI 7 350 is 39% faster than the 345 in Cinebench R23 Multi and 23% faster in Geekbench 6 Multi. In the Blender BMW27 CPU render, the ThinkPad with the 345 needs 286 seconds, compared with 202 seconds for the ExpertBook with the 350.

Intel's Core Ultra 5 325 and Core Ultra 7 258V produce similar Cinebench R23 Multi scores to the 345, but both are faster in Geekbench 6 Multi. The differences depend on workload and laptop configuration rather than a universal advantage for either architecture.

How much does the laptop matter?

The Ryzen AI 7 445 provides another useful comparison because its core configuration and specifications match those of the 345.

Single-core results remain close to 2,600 points across these machines. Multi-core performance varies much more.

The Yoga 7 2-in-1 reaches 51 W during short loads and sustains around 37 W, helping it achieve the highest Cinebench score. The thinner Yoga Slim 7a scores 21% lower in the same multi-core test.

The ThinkPad nearly matches the Yoga 7 in Cinebench but falls 15% behind in Geekbench 6 Multi. Its single DDR5-5600 memory module is one likely contributor, alongside differences in power management. This makes the laptop's memory configuration important when comparing benchmark scores.

Integrated Graphics: Radeon 840M

The Radeon 840M is the Ryzen AI 7 345's clearest limitation. It contains four RDNA 3.5 compute units, equivalent to 256 shaders, running at up to 2.9 GHz.

Despite the newer architecture, its performance is close to the older Radeon 660M and far below the Radeon 780M, 880M or Intel Arc 140V.

3DMark Time Spy Graphics

The Radeon 860M is approximately 20-23% faster than the tested 840M configurations. The Radeon 780M leads by around 83-88%, while Intel's Arc 140V approaches three times the performance.

Gaming performance

The Lenovo Yoga 7 2-in-1 with Ryzen AI 7 445 and dual-channel LPDDR5X-8000 delivers the following results:

The Radeon 840M can handle lightweight games, but demanding titles require lower resolutions, reduced settings or upscaling. It is not a suitable substitute for the stronger integrated GPUs available in similarly priced laptops.

For office work, hardware-accelerated video playback and external displays, the GPU's capabilities are less restrictive. AMD specifies support for up to four displays and modern video codecs, including AV1.

Memory configuration makes a difference

The ThinkPad E14 Gen 8 reviewed with a single DDR5-5600 module scores 3,903 points in 3DMark Fire Strike Graphics. The Yoga 7 with dual-channel LPDDR5X-8000 reaches 5,172 points, a 32.5% higher score.

Cyberpunk 2077 at Full HD Low runs at 19.6 fps on the ThinkPad and 25.9 fps on the Yoga 7.

These are different laptops with different memory speeds and power settings, so the entire gap cannot be assigned to single-channel memory. Still, the results demonstrate why memory bandwidth matters with the Radeon 840M.

For ThinkPad configurations supplied with one DDR5 module, installing a compatible second module is worth considering, particularly for gaming and other graphics-intensive workloads.

Ryzen AI 7 345 Laptops and Prices

The Ryzen AI 7 345 has appeared mainly in business laptops, convertibles and lightweight productivity machines. The processor itself is not necessarily expensive, but several retail configurations compete directly with faster alternatives.

The following are representative prices from 2026 listings, expressed in US dollars. Actual offers vary by region, retailer and configuration.

Lower-priced configurations and retailer discounts also exist. Some ThinkPad E14 Gen 8 listings have been closer to $1,200, so the highest prices should not be treated as the standard cost of every Ryzen AI 7 345 laptop.

Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 8

The ThinkPad has several advantages independent of its processor: two DDR5 SO-DIMM slots supporting up to 64 GB, two M.2 storage slots, USB4 connectivity and quiet cooling.

The reviewed configuration achieved 13 hours and 20 minutes of web browsing with its 64 Wh battery. Its main weaknesses are the basic 60 Hz display with 45% NTSC coverage and the single memory module supplied in some versions.

The upgrade options are useful, but paying around $1,450 for a six-core CPU, 16 GB of RAM and Radeon 840M graphics is difficult to justify on performance alone.

Acer Aspire 16 AI and Swift Air 16

The Aspire 16 AI offers a 120 Hz touchscreen and 1 TB SSD. Its LPDDR5X memory configuration also avoids the single-module issue found in some ThinkPads, although the soldered memory cannot be upgraded.

The Swift Air 16 takes a different approach. Its 16-inch display and roughly 990 g weight make portability the primary attraction. Buyers are paying for a lightweight chassis rather than unusually strong CPU or GPU performance.

Better Alternatives at Similar Prices

The Ryzen AI 7 345 faces competition not only from Intel but also from AMD's own processors, including older Zen 4 models.

The Aspire 16 AI with Ryzen AI 9 365 is particularly revealing. It offers 10 CPU cores, Radeon 880M graphics, 32 GB of memory and a 1 TB SSD. Depending on the retailer, it can cost less than a Ryzen AI 7 345 laptop with half the RAM.

Intel's Core Ultra 7 258V offers comparable CPU performance in several benchmarks and substantially faster integrated graphics. Lunar Lake laptops also emphasize efficiency, although their onboard memory cannot be upgraded.

The Ryzen 7 250 is based on the older Hawk Point platform and is effectively a refresh of the Ryzen 7 8840U. Its eight Zen 4 cores and Radeon 780M remain competitive, but its 16 TOPS NPU does not meet the requirements for Copilot+ PCs.

Within AMD's newer lineup, the Ryzen AI 7 350 and 450 are also worth checking. Both provide eight CPU cores, 16 MB of L3 cache and Radeon 860M graphics. If the price difference is modest, either is preferable to the 345 for demanding CPU and GPU workloads.

Verdict: The Price Matters More Than the Name

The Ryzen AI 7 345 delivers responsive single-threaded performance, reasonable multi-core speed and an NPU capable of supporting Copilot+ features. It can handle office applications, programming, video calls and everyday productivity without difficulty.

Its limitations are clear: six CPU cores, just 8 MB of L3 cache and integrated graphics that perform at roughly Radeon 660M levels. More importantly, the older Ryzen AI 5 340 can outperform it despite the lower model number.

A Ryzen AI 7 345 laptop becomes attractive when its price reflects those limitations. Around $800-900 for a well-equipped 16 GB / 512 GB model with dual-channel memory would put it in a more competitive position, although the chassis, screen and upgrade options still matter.

At $1,200-1,500, the buyer should compare it carefully against laptops with Ryzen AI 7 350, Ryzen AI 9 365 or Intel Core Ultra 7 processors. The Ryzen AI 7 345 is capable enough for everyday work, but its Ryzen AI 7 branding does not guarantee Ryzen AI 7-class performance.