Tuesday, April 25th 2023
AMD Introduces Ryzen Z1 Series Processors, Expanding the "Zen 4" Lineup into Handheld Game Consoles
Today, AMD introduced the new Ryzen Z1 Series processors, the ultimate high-performance processor for handheld PC gaming consoles. The Ryzen Z1 Series features two high performance processors, the Ryzen Z1 and Ryzen Z1 Extreme, both offering industry-leading gaming experiences, uncompromising battery life, and featuring AMD RDNA 3 architecture-based graphics. AMD is partnering with Asus to launch the first Ryzen Z1 Series device with the Asus ROG Ally, a premium handheld PC console, featuring up to a Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor.
"At AMD, we're continually advancing the next generation of gaming experiences, from consoles to desktops to on-the-go handheld devices," said Jason Banta, corporate vice president and general manager, Client OEM at AMD. "Ryzen Z1 processors deliver gamers an elite gaming experience and extreme portability in exciting gaming form factors."All-New AMD Ryzen Z1 and Ryzen Z1 Extreme Processors
Featuring up to 8 cores and 16 threads, the Ryzen Z1 Series processors offer breathtaking visuals and, with the efficiency of "Zen 4" architecture, deliver incredible battery life for a truly portable, high-performance gaming experience. With AMD RDNA 3 architecture-based graphics built right in, gamers will have the power to play graphically intensive modern games smoothly. Users can optimize their game play with AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition by utilizing features including AMD Radeon Super Resolution, Radeon Chill, Radeon Image Sharpening, AMD Link and more. These features can boost performance with increased frame rates and responsiveness, while helping extend battery life.
Every AMD Ryzen Z1 Series processor supports USB4 for fast and easy connectivity for the latest external storage and display devices, as well as the latest LPDDR5 and LPDDR5X memory standards, delivering fast performance and low latency for more responsive gaming.
Designed for New Form Factors of Computing
With compatibility for Windows 11 and other operating systems, Ryzen Z1 Series processor-based devices can deliver the full breadth of Windows 11 applications and games. Gamers will have access to hundreds of PC games through Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (sold separately) and seamless access to their game libraries. Built on x86 architecture and ready for Windows 11, users of Ryzen Z1 Series devices will also have native access to popular social and productivity software. Ryzen Z1 devices are also equipped with smart power management technology which will allow them to game and run these applications well with great battery life."At Xbox, we put the player at the center by giving them choice on the experience and device that best fit their gaming needs," said Roanne Sones, head of Xbox hardware. "With Xbox Game Pass Ultimate we're bringing hundreds of games to new devices, including on-the-go gaming handhelds, and are excited to see AMD investing in new processors to grow this device category."
Ryzen Z1 Series Devices Available Soon
AMD Ryzen Z1 processors will be available first in the Asus ROG Ally. More information about the Asus ROG Ally availability and pricing will be announced by Asus on May 11.
"Having a great gaming experience doesn't mean you have to be tied to a chair or a charger," said Shawn Yen, product management director of Gaming Business Unit, Asus. "With the new Ryzen Z1 Series processors, we're working with AMD to deliver the power, visuals and efficiency needed to enable a superior portable gaming experience—whether you're traveling, commuting for work or simply want to game untethered."
Source:
AMD
"At AMD, we're continually advancing the next generation of gaming experiences, from consoles to desktops to on-the-go handheld devices," said Jason Banta, corporate vice president and general manager, Client OEM at AMD. "Ryzen Z1 processors deliver gamers an elite gaming experience and extreme portability in exciting gaming form factors."All-New AMD Ryzen Z1 and Ryzen Z1 Extreme Processors
Featuring up to 8 cores and 16 threads, the Ryzen Z1 Series processors offer breathtaking visuals and, with the efficiency of "Zen 4" architecture, deliver incredible battery life for a truly portable, high-performance gaming experience. With AMD RDNA 3 architecture-based graphics built right in, gamers will have the power to play graphically intensive modern games smoothly. Users can optimize their game play with AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition by utilizing features including AMD Radeon Super Resolution, Radeon Chill, Radeon Image Sharpening, AMD Link and more. These features can boost performance with increased frame rates and responsiveness, while helping extend battery life.
Every AMD Ryzen Z1 Series processor supports USB4 for fast and easy connectivity for the latest external storage and display devices, as well as the latest LPDDR5 and LPDDR5X memory standards, delivering fast performance and low latency for more responsive gaming.
Designed for New Form Factors of Computing
With compatibility for Windows 11 and other operating systems, Ryzen Z1 Series processor-based devices can deliver the full breadth of Windows 11 applications and games. Gamers will have access to hundreds of PC games through Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (sold separately) and seamless access to their game libraries. Built on x86 architecture and ready for Windows 11, users of Ryzen Z1 Series devices will also have native access to popular social and productivity software. Ryzen Z1 devices are also equipped with smart power management technology which will allow them to game and run these applications well with great battery life."At Xbox, we put the player at the center by giving them choice on the experience and device that best fit their gaming needs," said Roanne Sones, head of Xbox hardware. "With Xbox Game Pass Ultimate we're bringing hundreds of games to new devices, including on-the-go gaming handhelds, and are excited to see AMD investing in new processors to grow this device category."
Ryzen Z1 Series Devices Available Soon
AMD Ryzen Z1 processors will be available first in the Asus ROG Ally. More information about the Asus ROG Ally availability and pricing will be announced by Asus on May 11.
"Having a great gaming experience doesn't mean you have to be tied to a chair or a charger," said Shawn Yen, product management director of Gaming Business Unit, Asus. "With the new Ryzen Z1 Series processors, we're working with AMD to deliver the power, visuals and efficiency needed to enable a superior portable gaming experience—whether you're traveling, commuting for work or simply want to game untethered."
24 Comments on AMD Introduces Ryzen Z1 Series Processors, Expanding the "Zen 4" Lineup into Handheld Game Consoles
The performance loss is generally not proportional to the CU reduction because the potential of the full version is limited by bandwidth.
And if they add memory, price tag go up, and thats not smart move when you have already good performance and that tiny device.
Issue yes, but not as much.
And bandwidth is very game dependent, so average maybe but I'd expect the Extreme to seriously outperform the non one in some cases.
I'd wager these are more power than bandwidth constrained tbh.
Me: Um none of those games are overly demanding....
Considering it's 720p low settings pretty dismal performance really would expect 1080p medium at least..
The Steam Deck is also cut down, it went on sale close to when Ryzen 6000 did, and offered 4 Zen2 cores and 8 RDNA2 CUs to Ryzen 6000's 8 Zen3 cores and 12 (or 6) RDNA CUs, making it much more GPU-focused. The Ryzen Z1 is CPU-focused. It's not a gaming APU.
Like this, the 12CU version is only going to be fully used on pure compute tasks.
Z1 extreme missed an opportunity to be truly custom silicon rather than just a lightly power curve optimised 7840u.
How does the new Z1 and Z1E perform compared to the newer Orin Nano? That is the latest gen competition from Nvidia and the SoC level equivalent.
Orin Nano specs (and Orin was rumored to be the SoC for the "Switch 2"):
- GPU:
- CPU:
- Memory:
- TDP:
Core wise they seem comparable, so it would be interesting to see which has better performance between the Z1E RDNA3 based GPU (1536 cores) vs the Ampere based GPU (1024 cores), and the 6-core ARM vs the 8c/16t Zen4. Id bet the Z1E wins on the CPU side, but the GPU side comparison would be interesting. Though how much it wins by while also using double the power could be an issue.1024-core NVIDIA Ampere architecture GPU with 32 Tensor Cores
6-core Arm® Cortex®-A78AE v8.2 64-bit CPU 1.5MB L2 + 4MB L3
8GB 128-bit LPDDR5 68 GB/s
7W-15W configurable