AMD has announced its next-generation Ryzen Z2 APU lineup for gaming handhelds, which will come in Z2 Extreme, Z2, and Z2 Go versions. This new series aims to cover the entire portable gaming segment, from entry-level to high-end devices.
Following the success of its Z1 series APUs, which were adopted by devices like the ASUS ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, and Valve's Steam Deck, AMD's goal with the Z2 APUs is to significantly increase its total addressable market while offering more products to consumers. These new APUs aim to deliver improved battery life, better software support, and leading performance compared to competitors.
AMD Ryzen Z2 APU Lineup
- The AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme is the top-tier option, featuring 8 cores, 16 threads, a maximum boost clock of 5.0 GHz, 24 MB of cache, a TDP of 15 to 35W, and 16 RDNA 3.5 iGPU cores. This chip is based on the "Strix" die and features the Zen 5 architecture.
- The standard AMD Ryzen Z2 features 8 cores, 16 threads based on the Zen 4 architecture, a maximum boost clock of 5.1 GHz, 24 MB cache, a TDP of 15-30W, and 12 RDNA 3 compute units. The Ryzen Z2 is based on the "Hawk Point" refresh architecture and offers around 16 TOPS of NPU performance.
- The entry-level AMD Ryzen Z2 Go is based on the "Rembrandt" die, with 4 cores, 8 threads, a max boost clock of up to 4.3 GHz, 10 MB of cache, a 15-30W cTDP, and 12 RDNA 2 iGPU cores.
Specifications Summary
| APU | Architecture | Cores/Threads | Max Boost Clock | Cache | TDP | iGPU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen Z2 Extreme | Zen 5 (Strix) | 8C/16T | 5.0 GHz | 24 MB | 15-35W | 16 RDNA 3.5 cores |
| Ryzen Z2 | Zen 4 (Hawk Point Refresh) | 8C/16T | 5.1 GHz | 24 MB | 15-30W | 12 RDNA 3 CUs |
| Ryzen Z2 Go | Zen 3 (Rembrandt) | 4C/8T | 4.3 GHz | 10 MB | 15-30W | 12 RDNA 2 cores |
The first AMD Ryzen Z2 APUs are expected to be released in Q1 2025, along with the first wave of handheld gaming devices powered by the new chips.
