Intel Brings New Core i7 HX Chip for More Affordable Gaming Laptops

Intel just rolled out a new processor for laptops without making a big fuss about it. The new chip is called the Core i7-13645HX. It belongs to the older Raptor Lake family of processors. This means it is not built on the absolute newest technology Intel has to offer.

Instead, it looks like this part is specifically designed to power affordable gaming laptops. Consumers will likely see it popping up in mid-range machines soon.

How it stacks up against older models

The Core i7-13645HX shares a lot of DNA with the older i7-13650HX. Both chips feature 14 cores and 20 threads. They use a split design that includes six performance cores and eight efficiency cores. The maximum boost speed stays at 4.9 GHz, and the base power requirement remains at 55 watts.

There are a few notable upgrades here. The new processor supports faster memory speeds, bumping the limit up to DDR5-5600. It also doubles the core count on the integrated graphics unit from 16 to 32. This gives the chip a nice boost in basic graphical tasks. However, since most gaming laptops use a dedicated graphics card anyway, that specific graphics upgrade might not matter much to the average gamer.

It might seem strange for Intel to release a chip based on an older architecture in 2026. The company already rebranded its laptop lineup under the Core 200 series name. Putting out a new Raptor Lake processor under the older naming scheme makes the product catalog a bit confusing.

Despite the odd timing, the strategy makes sense for the budget market. Using an established chip design allows manufacturers to keep costs down. This helps hardware makers build cheaper laptops that still deliver solid performance for everyday use and modern games.

Via Notebookcheck