AMD is set to launch the Z2 Extreme chip for handheld gaming PC devices next year

AMD and Microsoft just confirmed at the IFA 2024 event that the Z2 Extreme processor will be introduced at the beginning of next year. This is the successor to the Z1 Extreme, currently powering the Asus ROG Ally, paving the way for a new generation of handheld gaming PCs.

Since Valve launched the Steam Deck in 2022, many major PC manufacturers have released competing handheld products. Most of these models, except for the MSI Claw which uses an Intel chip, are equipped with processors based on AMD's Zen 4 architecture, such as the Ryzen 7000 or 8000 series. These chip lines, featuring the 780M GPU, have provided stable performance for these devices.

While AMD has yet to reveal details about the chip in the Z2 Extreme, many sources suggest that the Zen 5 Strix Point will be the most likely candidate. According to initial reviews, the Strix Point 890M GPU can significantly improve gaming performance, allowing games like Doom Eternal, God of War, or Red Dead Redemption 2 to run smoothly at high graphical settings.

Currently, the GPD Pocket 4 is the only handheld PC confirmed to use the Strix Point chip. However, AMD has stated that they are working with many other hardware partners to develop devices using the Z2 Extreme, with the Asus ROG Ally 2 potentially being one of them.

One of AMD's main priorities is to improve battery life. AMD expects devices with the Z2 chip to be able to play Black Myth: Wukong for three hours on a single charge. Additionally, AMD is focusing on AI (artificial intelligence) technology, utilizing NPU (Neural Processing Units) to enhance performance and boost graphical processing power. AMD's Hawk Point chip has been equipped with an XDNA NPU with a performance of 16 TOPS. Meanwhile, the newly announced Strix Point chips can process up to 50 TOPS. In addition, MSI also plans to release a successor to the Claw using Intel's Lunar Lake chip with similar performance.

It is expected that handheld devices using the Z2 Extreme chip will launch around the same time as the next version of the Nintendo Switch, elevating the competition between PC and console handheld devices to a new level next year. Until then, you can also explore our comparator to find the best deals on your next favorite game.