The AMD Ryzen Z2 series processors have leaked ahead of their anticipated debut at CES 2025, with AMD targeting handheld gaming devices including Lenovo Legion Go and ASUS ROG Ally. This new processor family promises enhanced performance and battery efficiency compared to the existing Z1 series.
Pierre-Loup Griffais from Valve’s Steam Deck development team clarified on BlueSky that there are no plans for a Z2-based Steam Deck, refuting claims made by VideoCardz that AMD would include Valve in its announcement. Instead, Griffais suggested the mention of Valve was likely a reference to third-party products designed for Steam OS. As the Z2 processors are set to launch exclusively for handheld gaming PCs, speculation around a Steam Deck 2 remains unresolved.
Programmed to enhance the performance and energy efficiency of handheld gaming, the Z2 lineup consists of three distinct tiers: the Ryzen Z2 Extreme, Ryzen Z2, and Ryzen Z2 Go. Each processor utilizes different architectures to cater to varying performance needs.
The flagship Ryzen Z2 Extreme will be based on Strix Point architecture, incorporating eight Zen 5 cores with 16 Compute Units from the RDNA 3.5 GPU architecture. This variant aims to provide significant performance improvements, particularly suited for high-end gaming handhelds. Anticipated devices like the ASUS ROG Ally 2 and Lenovo Legion Go 2 will likely feature this processor.
In contrast, the standard Ryzen Z2 includes eight Zen 4 cores coupled with 12 RDNA 3 Compute Units. Lastly, the Ryzen Z2 Go targets budget-conscious gamers with four Zen 3+ cores and 12 RDNA 2 Compute Units, exclusively designed for the upcoming Lenovo Legion Go S device. This strategic segmentation allows AMD to enhance the competitive landscape of handheld gaming while also catering to varied consumer preferences.
The handheld market is experiencing notable growth, attributed to rising interest and effectiveness in mobile gaming experiences. New devices are entering the arena, with companies like Microsoft rumored to develop their own handhelds. As this sector expands, producers have a chance to attract users who may not have access to traditional gaming systems.
One of the most talked-about elements for the Lenovo Legion Go 2 is the inclusion of a potential Steam OS variant, which could directly compete with Windows-powered models. This development highlights the ongoing comparisons between systems based on Steam OS and Windows 11, raising questions about performance efficiency.
Microsoft is preparing to enhance Windows 11 to improve compatibility with gaming handhelds, as evidenced by Jason Ronald, a hardware lead, attending CES 2025 to discuss these advancements. This approach reflects a critical phase for Microsoft, emphasizing the necessity of innovating to maintain competitiveness in the handheld market.
AMD Ryzen Z2 specifications overview
AMD’s introduction of the Ryzen Z2 series marks a strategic move to dominate the handheld gaming landscape. Among the notable features of the new chips, the Ryzen Z2 Extreme will include a combination of Zen 5 cores. Meanwhile, the Z2 specification breakdown shows a distinct focus on catering to various price points and user demands.
The Ryzen Z2 Go’s exclusive use in the Lenovo Legion Go S further emphasizes AMD’s aim to provide affordable gaming options without sacrificing too much power. However, details regarding pricing for the Legion Go S remain scarce, leading to speculation about its intended market positioning.
Despite AMD’s assertion about collaborations, Valve’s statement casts doubt on the idea of a new Steam Deck utilizing the Z2 architecture. This vagueness fuels discussions around whether Valve will opt for other enhancements in future hardware projects, particularly as rumors about its VR offerings and possible game releases, including Half-Life 3, gain traction.
Featured image credit: Kerem Gülen/Ideogram
