This new AMD Ryzen gaming CPU isn't new at all, recycled from the Steam Deck

A new set of AMD Ryzen gaming CPUs are coming for handheld gaming PCs, but the story behind them is a little strange. The new AMD Ryzen Z2 A will be very familiar for gamers, based on the same chip found in the Steam Deck. Meanwhile, the new AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme will sit at the other end of AMD's Z2 CPU lineup for handhelds and mobile devices, with AI features enabled on top.

These two AMD chips are focusing on two very different types of handhelds. The best handhelds can shift in focus from great battery life to serious power demands, and while the new Z2 A could be a good, low-powered option for budget devices, the AI Z2 Extreme unlocks dedicated AI hardware in a way that AMD hasn't done before in its handheld lineup.

The AMD Ryzen Z2 A is a very unusual chip for AMD to declare, but as we reported in an earlier Z2 A leak, it isn't an unfamiliar one. On paper, it looks a lot like the Steam Deck's Van Gogh SoC with a slightly higher configurable TDP of between six to 20W, compared to the five to 15W available in the Steam Deck OLED. The Ryzen Z2 A will be found first in the entry-level new Xbox handheld, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally, when it launches.

This is pretty old technology, with four Zen 2 CPU cores and eight RDNA 2 Compute Units for the GPU. That's compared to the standard Ryzen Z2, which has eight (much newer) Zen 4 CPU cores, with 12 RDNA 3 Compute Units for the integrated GPU.

Given the age of the architecture, the AMD Ryzen Z2 A could unlock a whole set of brand new, budget-friendly handhelds, on par with the Steam Deck's starting $399 entry-level price point. However, no other products have been announced so far that use it, other than the entry-level Xbox handheld.

Compare that to the AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme. This chip is otherwise exactly the same as the existing Z2 Extreme APU that we've seen in handhelds like the MSI Claw 8 AI+, except for the addition of the NPU (neural processing unit), rated at 50 TOPS. Like the Z2 A, the AI X2 Extreme is also launching in a new Xbox handheld, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X.

An ever-growing Z2 series could be good news for gamers, but it will all depend on whether or not these chips find their way into handhelds that gamers want to buy, with features that make them worth buying. The AMD Ryzen Z2 A, in particular, could be a good option for the budget market, and we'll be keen to test both chips in the two new Xbox handhelds when they launch.

Until then, if you're thinking about a cheap way to play your favorite games, check out our best mini gaming PC guide, which lists some great and affordable options if you don't need the portability.

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