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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techmar - Wednesday, June 21, 2023 - link
310.7 x 228 x 117.99 mm - really? Is that a 2023 notebook in a shape of cube?peevee - Wednesday, August 23, 2023 - link
It's the box it came in.And 17.99 mm, really? It is 18 mm! Stop supporting their marketing BS. Everything above .4 should be rounded up too.
rUmX - Wednesday, June 21, 2023 - link
Don't mean to add to the criticism already present, but I can't help but why aren't you guys using a proper professional camera to take the pictures? The images are smartphone-low quality and that lowers the quality of the review.Ryan Smith - Thursday, June 22, 2023 - link
You would be surprised by how much of our photography has been with smartphones - and has been for years. We don't have a dedicated photography department, so what we use and when is very situational (especially since smartphone cameras can produce something useful without requiring a bunch of pre and post tweaking).In this case, Gavin was in the middle of a move while putting together this article, so we had to work with what was on-hand.
meacupla - Friday, June 23, 2023 - link
Good looking pictures can be taken with a decent phone camera. It just requires good lighting equipment.timecop1818 - Wednesday, June 21, 2023 - link
If only they'd put a real processor in this and not AMD junk lolbpherbst - Wednesday, June 21, 2023 - link
why can't we just get a laptop with dual fan good cooling with no dgpuPeachNCream - Thursday, June 22, 2023 - link
I'd personally prefer no fans. After using mostly ultra low budget stuff since Bay Trail came out, I find fan noise of any sort rather annoying. I just wish those low end laptops had dual channel RAM, but generally they only have 1 soldered down DIMM.Bruzzone - Friday, June 23, 2023 - link
Ryan and Gavin,The Supermicro footer (banner ad) for Xeon Platinum Scalable at the bottom of the review page, if paid to Anandtech directly by Intel, and in specific instance subsidized (indirect payment) by Intel through Supermicro offsetting Supermicro Intel inventory administrative (sales out) cost reporting to Intel, or said 'cooperative ad subsidy' does violate FTC Docket 9341 consent order at Part IV(A)(1)(7) "conditioning any Benefit to a Customer or End User on that person's agreement to use or purchase Relevant Products".
The fix is to cut in an equivalent AMD Epyc logo weighed against the Intel Logo that would render the infraction moot. There was a similar infraction at HUB recently where in Australia exclusive dealing laws apply that are not associated Docket 9341 or EUCC 37.990 within Australian national sovereignty and that Skytech ad was pulled apparently the fix adding an equal weight AMD Inside Logo was somehow unacceptable.
Explain to Don Clegg the ad needs to be modified presenting Supermicro as other than an Intel exclusive dealer.
Mike Bruzzone
FTC Docket 9341 auditor monitor
Mike Bruzzone
Bruzzone - Friday, June 23, 2023 - link
Ryan and Gavin,I will also note HP was caught up in the reemergence of Intel Inside associated Intel gamer's promotion two years back and HP's response was to cease all processor branded advertising reinforcing the fact that HP personal computers are HP and in this case Omen gaming desktops are HP desktops and not Intel HP Omen desktops. Subsequently you can see how HP's remedy reinforced who is the brand owner / producer in addition to correcting the Part IV (A)(1)(7) violation of the consent agreement. mb