AMD's RX 5300M could be the best entry-level laptop GPU

AMD's RX 5300M could be the best entry-level laptop GPU

Leaked performance data from AMD's upcoming RX 5300M mobile graphics chip have come to light and they paint a rosy picture of the new-generation notebook graphics solution. Based on AMD's Navi 14 design, the chip is reportedly able to handily beat the GTX 1650 4GB and the Max-Q version. It was less than 15 percent behind the RX 5500M too.

Although AMD graphics have been far from competitive with Nvidia at the high-end for years, it has always had good entry-level options on desktop. That's been less of a truth with laptops, where AMD has really struggled to make an impact outside of Apple hardware. That could change with Navi, however, as the RX 5500M and now 5300M look like very capable mobile GPU solutions.

In leaked test results picked up by Notebook Check the 5300M was paired up with an AMD Ryzen 7 3750H in an unnamed laptop. It scored 8,782 points in 3DMark Fire Strike, while the GTX 1650 in a Dell G3 9350 managed just 8,081 and the Max-Q version in an MSI Prestige 15 managed just 7,103.

For comparison purposes, the RX 5500M in an MSI Alpha 15 hit 9,963.

Things were much closer in 3DMark 11, with the 5300M managing 11,869 points. Just enough to take the lead over the GTX 1650, which had 11,845.

When switching to the performance benchmark, however, the 5300M tears ahead again, clearing a full eight percent lead over the GTX 1650.

These results are all notable because the 5300M has only 3GB of VRAM — 1GB less than the GTX 1650. That might not be ideal, but it suggests the the 5300M could be a great, affordable GPU for entry-level laptop gaming when it's released more widely in the coming months.

Especially when it's paired with a new-gen Ryzen 4000 mobile CPU.