AMD Launches Z2 Handheld Gaming Chips: What You Need to Know

AMD Unveils New Ryzen Z2 Chips for Handheld Gaming PCs

AMD has officially launched its full lineup of Ryzen Z2 chips, tailored specifically for handheld gaming PCs such as the Steam Deck. This announcement follows a brief tease seen this fall, yet despite the fanfare, many questions remain regarding the applicability and impact of these new chips on handheld gaming.

What We Know So Far

During a pre-recorded briefing, AMD highlighted that handheld devices from Valve, Lenovo, and Asus would be equipped with the new Z2 chips. However, skepticism arose when Valve denied any association with the Z2 in the upcoming Steam Deck. Valve's Pierre-Loup Griffais dismissed the claim, stating on Bluesky, "There is and will be no Z2 Steam Deck,” immediately correcting possible misinformation following a leak from VideoCardz.

AMD, when approached for clarity, chose not to refute Valve's statement regarding the Steam Deck, simply indicating that their presentation was aimed at showcasing current handheld design wins without making any official preannouncements about device collaborations.

Details on the Z2 Chips

The functionalities and capabilities of the newly unveiled Z2 chips remain somewhat ambiguous. AMD has asserted that the Z2 lineup will provide "more performance and capabilities than prior generations," boasting enhanced battery life. Three variants of the Z2 have been introduced, each configured to meet different performance levels.

Z2 Extreme

The flagship Z2 Extreme combines Zen 3 and Zen 5c CPU cores with RDNA 3.5 graphics, featuring four additional GPU cores in comparison to the last generation. It can also operate at a power consumption peak of five watts higher than its predecessors. However, AMD has yet to release any benchmark results for direct performance comparison.

Z2 and Z2 Go

The base Z2 variant maintains the core count found in the existing Z1 Extreme, while utilizing the same RDNA 3 architecture. Nonetheless, AMD has not indicated any improvements over the Z1 chip. In contrast, the Z2 Go presents fewer CPU cores and operates on the older RDNA 2 architecture akin to the Steam Deck’s existing hardware, though it offers 12 graphics cores—three times that of the Z1 and four more than the current Steam Deck chip.

Power Consumption Concerns

A notable change with this new lineup is the increased minimum thermal design power (TDP), now set at 15 watts compared to 9 watts for the previous generation. This elevation could imply diminished battery life, particularly when lower power modes are used for less demanding gaming sessions. While power settings can vary among users, the TDP at which manufacturers optimize their devices remains crucial.

Looking Ahead

Analysts and fans alike are keen to see whether upcoming announcements from AMD, Lenovo, Valve, and Microsoft will clarify the suitability and features of these new chips for handheld gaming devices. As of now, the new Ryzen Z2 chips present a mix of excitement and uncertainty in the handheld gaming landscape.

Conclusion

With the recent AMD reveals, it's clear that the gaming community is on the edge of its seat for more information. Whether these Ryzen Z2 chips live up to expectations will depend on how well they integrate into the devices that gamers have come to enjoy and depend on.