Tag: AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme

  • AMD Unveils Two New Handheld Gaming Chips for Enhanced Performance

    AMD Unveils Two New Handheld Gaming Chips for Enhanced Performance

    Key Takeaways

    1. AMD has launched two new chips for handheld gaming: Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme and Ryzen Z2A.
    2. The Ryzen Z2 AI Extreme features eight Zen 5 cores, a 16-core RDNA 3.5 GPU, and a 50 TOPS NPU for enhanced gaming performance.
    3. The Ryzen Z2A is a budget option with four Zen 2 cores, an 8-core RDNA 2 GPU, and lower power consumption for better battery life.
    4. The Ryzen Z2A is currently used in the Asus ROG Xbox Ally and may be adopted by other budget handheld consoles.
    5. AMD now offers five chips for handheld devices, increasing competition against Intel’s Lunar Lake.


    AMD has revealed two fresh chips designed for handheld gaming consoles. As hinted by a previous leak, these are the Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme and Ryzen Z2A. The first one is basically a Ryzen Z2 Extreme but with a NPU added on top, whereas the second one is an entry-level option that features somewhat older specifications.

    Ryzen Z2 AI Extreme Details

    The Ryzen Z2 AI Extreme boasts eight AMD Zen 5 cores, paired with a 16-core RDNA 3.5 GPU, and has a TDP range of 15-35 Watts. It supports LPDDR5X-8000 RAM and includes a 50 TOPS NPU. This NPU is likely designed to enhance the Gaming Copilot feature that can be found in Xbox-branded handhelds, such as the ROG Xbox Ally X.

    Ryzen Z2A Specifications

    On the other hand, the Ryzen Z2A is equipped with four AMD Zen 2 cores, an 8-core RDNA 2 GPU, LPDDR5-6400 RAM, and has a TDP range of 6-20 Watts. There was a previous leak that suggested this chip belongs to AMD’s Van Gogh family of APUs, one of which (Aerith) is used in the Steam Deck. In terms of performance, it might not even match the base Ryzen Z1, but its lower TDP could lead to improved battery longevity.

    Availability and Market Impact

    Currently, the only handheld device utilizing the Ryzen Z2A is Asus’ newly introduced ROG Xbox Ally, but soon it will likely be available in other budget-friendly consoles. To sum it up, OEMs now have a choice of five AMD chips for their handheld devices, which makes Intel’s Lunar Lake seem even less appealing by comparison.

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  • MSI Claw A8 vs Asus ROG Ally 2: AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme Power

    MSI Claw A8 vs Asus ROG Ally 2: AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme Power

    Key Takeaways

    1. MSI has launched the Claw A8 BZ2EM, its first AMD Ryzen-powered gaming handheld, at Computex 2025.
    2. The Claw A8 BZ2EM features AMD’s Ryzen Z2 Extreme APU, making it one of the first devices with this technology.
    3. The design of the Claw A8 has been updated to resemble the Asus ROG Ally.
    4. The Claw A8 BZ2EM will be available in two color choices.
    5. No pricing or availability details have been announced yet for the Claw A8 BZ2EM.


    Only a few days after MSI brought back the Polar Tempest Edition of the Claw 8 AI+, which followed the original Claw 8 AI+ and Claw 7 AI+ (currently priced at $949 on Amazon), the company has now introduced its first AMD Ryzen-powered variant during its Computex 2025 event.

    Background on the Launch

    Since January, there have been whispers about this development. Recent clues indicated that MSI was gearing up to release a new 7-inch model after its Intel Lunar Lake offerings. However, instead of that, MSI revealed the Claw A8 BZ2EM, showcased alongside the Polar Tempest Edition.

    New Features of the Claw A8 BZ2EM

    The Claw A8 BZ2EM is expected to be available in two color choices and is among the initial gaming handhelds to feature AMD’s Ryzen Z2 Extreme APU, following Lenovo’s Legion Go 2 prototype introduced at CES 2025 in January. MSI has also updated the design of the Claw A8, giving it a resemblance to the Asus ROG Ally more than its previous iterations.

    Despite this, MSI has outpaced Asus in launching a device powered by the Ryzen Z2 Extreme. Though there are no specifics yet about pricing or when it will be available, additional details on the Claw A8 BZ2EM’s specifications can be found in the table below.

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  • Asus ROG Ally 2 Leak: Storage Options, Design, and Xbox Button

    Asus ROG Ally 2 Leak: Storage Options, Design, and Xbox Button

    Key Takeaways

    1. The Asus ROG Ally 2 is set to be a successor to the original ROG Ally, with sightings on the FCC and Korea’s RRA certification board indicating a near launch.
    2. It will offer enhanced storage options of 512 GB, 1 TB, and 2 TB, and is expected to feature the same 24 GB LPDDR5x RAM as its predecessor.
    3. The device will come in two color variants: Black and Gardenia White, with the Black version having a unique Xbox logo button.
    4. There will be two versions of the console, one featuring AMD’s Ryzen Z2 Extreme and another with an unannounced AMD APU.
    5. The Black variant has design changes, including two USB-C ports on the top edge, but overall design remains similar to the original model.


    91mobiles has discovered what seems to be Asus’ upcoming handheld gaming console on the FCC website. Named the Asus ROG Ally 2, this device will be a true successor to the original ROG Ally that was released two years ago. Moreover, ITHome has also noticed its appearance on Korea’s RRA certification board, signaling that its launch is near. A keen-eyed X user, @94G8LA, found a significant detail on the console’s stickers. One version will feature AMD’s Ryzen Z2 Extreme, while another will include an unannounced AMD APU.

    Storage and Specifications

    The ROG Ally 2, with the codename RC73 (sub-variants R73XA/R73YA), will offer considerably more storage compared to previous models. It will be available in 512 GB, 1 TB, and 2 TB storage options. While there is no confirmation on RAM details, it’s anticipated that it will retain the same 24 GB LPDDR5x modules as found in the ROG Ally X. Additionally, the FCC listing indicates that wireless connectivity will be limited to a MediaTek Wi-Fi 6E module, and charging speeds will range from 65 Watts to 100 Watts based on the version.

    Color Variants and Design

    We also get a first glimpse of the ROG Ally 2 in two color options: Black and Gardenia White. Videocardz highlighted an intriguing detail about the Black version. If you look closely next to the left thumbstick, the button displays a unique Xbox logo, which is noticeably missing from the Gardenia White version. Previous rumors suggested that Asus was collaborating with Microsoft to create an Xbox-branded handheld, and this could potentially be that device.

    Design Changes and Port Placement

    Besides the Xbox button, the Black ROG Ally 2 variant features some notable design alterations, such as two USB-C ports positioned next to each other along the top edge. It’s quite possible that this configuration is a prototype and that the final retail model will place the ports in a more practical location. The overall design of the handheld has mostly stayed the same, with some elements shifted around to keep things looking new.

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