Avoid This Laptop CPU - Lenovo LOQ (7435HS + 4060) Tested

Summary

The AMD Ryzen 7 7435HS processor powers a budget-friendly gaming laptop, but it lacks integrated graphics, which negatively impacts battery life. This processor is similar to the 7735HS but with lower clock speeds and no integrated GPU. While gaming performance is generally solid, the absence of integrated graphics means the laptop relies solely on discrete Nvidia RTX 4060 graphics, leading to shorter battery life. The 7435HS offers decent multi-core performance but lags behind newer Zen 4 processors. It's best for gamers who prioritize performance over battery life, but other laptops with integrated graphics may be better for those seeking longer battery duration.

Takeaways

• 😀 AMD's Ryzen 7 7435HS processor lacks integrated graphics, which can negatively affect battery life in laptops, especially in gaming scenarios.
• 😀 The 7435HS is very similar to the Ryzen 7 7735HS, with the main difference being the absence of integrated graphics and slightly lower clock speeds.
• 😀 The 7435HS is based on AMD's Zen 3+ architecture, which is two generations old, and it is starting to appear in cheaper gaming laptops.
• 😀 AMD likely made the 7435HS without integrated graphics due to defective GPUs in higher-end chips, which were repurposed for budget laptops.
• 😀 Battery life with the 7435HS is not impressive, lasting only 3 hours and 24 minutes in a YouTube video playback test, but it's not drastically worse than other gaming laptops without integrated graphics.
• 😀 Despite the battery life concern, gaming performance with the 7435HS in an RTX 4060-powered laptop is comparable to newer Intel-powered laptops with the same GPU.
• 😀 Multi-core performance is similar to the Ryzen 7 7735HS and Ryzen 7 6800H, offering solid but not cutting-edge performance in both gaming and general CPU tasks.
• 😀 At higher resolutions like 1440p, gaming performance becomes more GPU-dependent, minimizing the difference in performance between the 7435HS and newer processors.
• 😀 The 7435HS-powered Lenovo LOQ performs well in games like Control, with good average FPS, though the newer Zen 4 chips offer more stable gameplay with better 1% lows.
• 😀 The 7435HS laptop does not include a MUX switch because there are no integrated graphics to swap to, ensuring that the Nvidia GPU is always in use for optimal gaming performance.
• 😀 The laptop’s screen, while featuring G-Sync, is somewhat dim at only 282 nits of brightness, below the ideal 300-nit baseline, but it remains acceptable for indoor gaming conditions.

Q & A

What is the main issue with the AMD Ryzen 7 7435HS processor in the Lenovo LOQ laptop?

The main issue is that the AMD Ryzen 7 7435HS processor does not have integrated graphics, which leads to poorer battery life since the laptop relies entirely on the discrete Nvidia RTX 4060 graphics.

How does the Ryzen 7 7435HS compare to the Ryzen 7 7735HS?

The Ryzen 7 7435HS is very similar to the Ryzen 7 7735HS in terms of cores, threads, and cache, but it has lower base and boost clock speeds and lacks integrated graphics, which makes it less efficient in power management.

Why was AMD likely forced to release the 7435HS processor without integrated graphics?

The 7435HS was likely intended to be a higher-end chip like the 7735HS, but due to manufacturing defects in the integrated GPU, AMD repurposed the defective chips without integrated graphics for cheaper gaming laptops.

What impact does the lack of integrated graphics have on battery life?

The lack of integrated graphics leads to worse battery life since the laptop relies fully on the discrete GPU for everything, even tasks like idle processing, which drains the battery faster.

How does the battery life of the Lenovo LOQ with the 7435HS processor compare to other laptops?

In the YouTube video playback test, the LOQ with the 7435HS lasted 3 hours and 24 minutes, which is not great but only slightly worse than other LOQ laptops with integrated graphics.

How does the Ryzen 7 7435HS perform in multi-core performance tests compared to newer processors?

The Ryzen 7 7435HS offers multi-core performance similar to the 7735HS and 6800H, but it is behind newer Zen 4 processors by 18-25% in terms of multi-core performance.

What are the gaming performance implications of using the 7435HS with the Nvidia RTX 4060?

In gaming, the 7435HS performs similarly to laptops with newer Intel processors and the same RTX 4060 graphics, with only small differences that are generally within the margin of error, meaning gaming performance is unaffected at higher resolutions like 1440p.

Why does the Lenovo LOQ with the 7435HS not have a MUX switch?

The Lenovo LOQ doesn't need a MUX switch because there are no integrated graphics to swap away from; the display always connects directly to the Nvidia GPU, ensuring optimal performance.

What is the impact of the 7435HS on system temperatures and fan noise?

The 7435HS in the Lenovo LOQ runs quite cool, with low temperatures and quiet fans at idle. Even during heavy CPU and GPU stress tests, the laptop maintains good thermal performance, with no significant issues or noise.

Is the Lenovo LOQ with the Ryzen 7 7435HS worth buying given its battery life and price?

The Lenovo LOQ with the 7435HS might be a good buy if you're primarily gaming with the charger plugged in and don’t mind the lower battery life. However, if battery life is a priority, it may be better to opt for a laptop with integrated graphics, which tend to offer better power efficiency.