ITALY: AMD, a leading designer of gaming console chips, has recently unveiled its latest APU (Accelerated Processing Unit) for handheld gaming consoles, the Ryzen Z1. The new chip is available in two SKUs, the AMD Ryzen Z1 featuring a 6-core CPU and 4 RDNA 3 GPUs, and the Ryzen Z1 Extreme, with 8 CPU cores and 12 RDNA 3-based graphics compute units.
The Ryzen Z1 also has 22MB of cache, while the Z1 Extreme has 24MB, indicating that the latter would offer better single-thread and multi-thread performance.
Both processors are compatible with LPDDR5 and LPDDR5X memory, and the Ryzen Z1 has a variable TDP of 15-30W. The Ryzen Z1 also comes with features like AMD Radeon Anti-Lag, AMD Radeon Super Resolution, and AMD FreeSync Technology, promising improved battery life for devices using this chip.
Asus’ gaming-focused ROG Ally is the first device to start shipping with the Ryzen Z1 chip.
Market experts expect it to come in two models, a base variant with the Ryzen Z1 chip and a high-end variant with the more powerful Ryzen Z1 Extreme.
The Ryzen Z1 chip is built on x86 architecture and is fully compatible with Windows 11 OS, offering an edge over the custom AMD APU used in the Steam Deck console.
However, performance will still be subject to several other factors, such as clock speed, cooling system, and memory.
AMD is a prominent name in gaming console chips and processors, with the PS5 and the Xbox Series X powered by AMD APUs.
The company’s new Ryzen Z1 APU for handheld gaming consoles will further establish its foothold in the gaming market.
The announcement of the Ryzen Z1 also highlights AMD’s continuing efforts to improve power efficiency and performance in its gaming-class chips.
The company’s focus on these features responds to increasing demand from gamers for longer battery life and more powerful processors.
Overall, the Ryzen Z1 APU promises to deliver better performance and power efficiency for handheld gaming consoles, offering an exciting new option for gamers looking to upgrade their devices.
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