Previously limited to 3 references, the AMD Ryzen Z2 range has been expanded with two new references. For the record, this range is designed for portable console-type devices. First of all, there’s the arrival of the Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme chip. This is the chip that powers the ROG XBOX Ally X we mentioned earlier.
AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme
Basically, this chip is 99% identical to the Ryzen Z2 Extreme SoC. It features the Zen 5 processor with 8 cores/16 threads, 24 MB cache, support for LPDDR5X-8000 memory and a configurable TDP from 15 to 35 watts. Finally, the graphics section is based on 16 RDNA 3.5 graphics cores. As you may have guessed, the real difference is that this chip also features an NPU dedicated to AI-related processing. As the Rog XBOX Ally X is the fruit of a close partnership with Microsoft, we can imagine that this was important to them. It’s worth noting that this is the first SoC in AMD’s console range to benefit from an NPU. It’s capable of delivering up to 50 IA TOP.
AMD Ryzen Z2 A
The other product launched is the AMD Ryzen Z2 A. Aimed at the entry-level, it’s not exactly an unknown. It is limited to a processor part using Zen 2 architecture, with just 4 cores and 8 threads, and a graphics part featuring 8 RDNA 2 graphics cores. This APU supports LPDDR5-6400 memory. It is positioned as the efficient SoC with a TDP range from 6 to 20 W. If we look at its technical specifications, this “new” reference resembles as closely as possible the custom SoC delivered by AMD to Valve for its Steam Deck.
Here’s a summary of the full range of AMD SoCs dedicated to consoles:
