News Overview
- Leaks suggest AMD is developing a Ryzen Z2 APU, reportedly based on the “Van Gogh” architecture, potentially for future handheld gaming devices.
- The Van Gogh architecture combines Zen 2 CPU cores with RDNA 2 graphics, offering a compelling balance of power and efficiency.
- The rumored Ryzen Z2 would likely target lower power consumption and improved integrated graphics performance, compared to existing Ryzen APUs, to compete in the handheld market.
🔗 Original article link: Upcoming Ryzen Z2, a chip reportedly based on Van Gogh architecture
In-Depth Analysis
The KitGuru article highlights the potential resurrection of AMD’s “Van Gogh” architecture in the form of the Ryzen Z2 APU. Van Gogh, previously used in the Steam Deck’s custom APU, combines Zen 2 CPU cores with RDNA 2 graphics. This combination proved successful in delivering a balanced and efficient gaming experience in the handheld space.
The article speculates that the Ryzen Z2 would be specifically designed for handheld gaming devices, potentially competing with the existing Ryzen Embedded solutions or offering a more optimized solution for lower power envelopes. The key advantage of the Van Gogh architecture is its RDNA 2 graphics, providing significantly better integrated graphics performance compared to older Vega-based solutions. The rumored Z2 would likely feature improvements and optimizations compared to the original Van Gogh implementation in the Steam Deck, potentially including enhanced power management, slightly higher clock speeds, and possibly more efficient memory controllers. The article does not include any specific benchmarks or performance figures, given the speculative nature of the leak. However, the potential for a modern, efficient APU designed specifically for handheld gaming is significant.
Commentary
If the rumors are true, a Ryzen Z2 APU based on Van Gogh would be a smart move by AMD. The company already has a proven track record in the handheld gaming market with the Steam Deck. Reusing and optimizing the Van Gogh architecture allows them to leverage existing expertise and potentially reduce development costs. This could lead to a more competitive and feature-rich APU at a lower price point, opening up opportunities for a wider range of handheld devices.
The strategic importance of this move lies in the growing popularity of handheld gaming PCs. By offering a dedicated solution, AMD can capture a significant share of this market and compete effectively with Intel and other ARM-based solutions. The combination of Zen 2 CPU cores and RDNA 2 graphics provides a sweet spot in terms of performance, power consumption, and cost, making it an ideal choice for handheld devices. I would expect the power target to be below 15W in order to maximize battery life. A key consideration will be the price point, as cheaper alternative solutions are already on the market.