Key Takeaways
1. The Xbox ROG Ally X is anticipated to be less powerful than the MSI Claw 8 AI+.
2. In gaming performance tests, the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V outperformed the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme in several scenarios.
3. Benchmark results showed the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V leading in single-core performance, while Ryzen chips excelled in multi-core performance.
4. The Intel Arc iGPU demonstrated strong performance in gaming tests, often matching or exceeding AMD chips.
5. The MSI Claw 8 AI+ offers better specifications, such as more RAM and a larger display, compared to the upcoming Xbox ROG Ally X.
The new Xbox ROG Ally X handheld gaming device is expected to be less powerful than the older MSI Claw 8 AI+. The Intel Core Ultra 7 258V APU in the latter has improved significantly since its debut, now competing closely with AMD’s latest Ryzen Z2 Extreme APU, which will power the Xbox ROG Ally X as well.
YouTuber Comparison
YouTuber ETA PRIME recently showcased the gaming performance of three leading handheld consoles in the market. This comparison included the MSI Claw A8 with the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme, the MSI Claw 8 AI+ featuring the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V, and the ASUS ROG Ally X which utilizes the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU.
The YouTuber conducted various tests involving synthetic benchmarks and in-game frame rates across popular titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, and Forza Horizon 5, yielding some unexpected results.
Benchmarking Performance
In the Geekbench 6 tests, the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V took the lead in both single-core and multi-core evaluations, achieving scores of 2,712 and 8,247 at a 17 W TDP. However, at a 25 W power draw, the performance for single-core was nearly the same for both the Ryzen Z2 Extreme and the Core Ultra 7 258V, with the former at 2,766 and the latter at 2,746.
The Ryzen Z1 Extreme lagged behind in single-core performance during both scenarios, scoring 2,379 at 25 W and 1,795 at 17 W. Nevertheless, in multi-core scores at 25 W, the Ryzen chips regained the advantage, with the Z1 and Z2 Extreme scoring 10,434 and 11,163, respectively, while the 258V trailed with a score of 9,957.
GPU Testing Results
During the 3DMark Time Spy GPU assessment, the Intel Arc iGPU outperformed its AMD counterparts. However, ETA PRIME pointed out that these results may not accurately represent real gaming experiences. “Synthetic scores usually favor Intel’s 140V GPU, but they don’t necessarily mean better gaming performance,” the YouTuber mentioned.
In subsequent gaming tests, the Intel Arc 140V iGPU managed to match or exceed the performance of the AMD chips.
In Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p Steam Deck settings, the Intel chip recorded an average of 54 FPS at 25 W, which surpassed the Z2 Extreme’s 46 FPS and the Z1 Extreme’s 41 FPS. In Shadow of the Tomb Raider, the Z2 Extreme marginally outperformed the Intel chip at 17 W but fell short at 25 W, scoring just 1 FPS less than the 258V.
Forza Horizon 5 Performance
While testing Forza Horizon 5 at 1080p resolution, medium settings, and a 25 W power draw, the 258V achieved 83 FPS, outpacing the Ryzen Z1 and Z2 Extreme, which scored 76 and 80 FPS, respectively. However, when the power draw was reduced to 17 W, the 258V’s score dropped to 73 FPS, just shy of the Z1 Extreme’s 74 FPS.
In Black Myth: Wukong, ETA PRIME employed upscaling without frame generation. At 25 W power draw and low settings at 1080p with 60% resolution scaling, the 258V scored 50 FPS, again surpassing the Ryzen Z1 Extreme’s 44 FPS and the Z2 Extreme’s 49 FPS. Yet, at 17 W under the same conditions, the Z2 Extreme once more surpassed the 258V by a single FPS.
However, during this segment of the video, a misleading graph was displayed, as ETA PRIME indicated that the Z2 Extreme edged out the 258V by 1 FPS, while the graph showed both achieving 43 FPS at 17 W in Black Myth: Wukong.
Final Thoughts
Finally, the YouTuber assessed Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, where all three handheld consoles struggled, with the best average FPS at 1080p low being just 37, achieved by the 258V, while the Z1 and Z2 Extreme managed only 31 and 30 FPS, respectively.
ETA PRIME highlighted Intel’s notable driver enhancements, claiming frame rates have substantially increased since the 140V’s original launch. “If you’re opting for AMD, the Z2 Extreme is the better choice right now, unless you find a fantastic deal on a Z1 device,” they stated.
I would also suggest that if you’re anticipating the Xbox ROG Ally X thinking it will deliver much better performance than current options, it might be wise to check out what’s already on the market.
The older Intel Core Ultra 7 258V seems to be matching the performance of the latest AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme. Moreover, the MSI Claw 8 AI+ (currently priced at $1,032 on Amazon) offers 32 GB of RAM and a larger 8-inch display, while the upcoming Xbox ROG Ally X will only feature 24 GB of memory and a slightly smaller 7-inch display. For a clearer understanding of the MSI Claw 8 AI+ performance, you can view ETA PRIME’s video below.
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