New benchmarks have emerged for AMD’s Ryzen Z2 Go APU, giving us a glimpse into the performance of this entry-level chip destined for handheld gaming PCs. Fast Technology recently pitted the Z2 Go against the more powerful Z1 Extreme, revealing a predictable performance gap. Before diving into the benchmarks, it’s important to understand the key differences between these two APUs.
The Z1 Extreme features a higher performance CPU with 8-cores and a larger cache that will deliver significantly better CPU performance, especially in multi-threaded tasks and demanding games. The Z1 Extreme also has the edge in graphics with more RDNA 3.5 cores for smoother gameplay and potentially higher resolutions or visual quality. The Z2 Go, with its 4-cores and slightly lower TDP range, is likely to be more power-efficient, which will likely translate to longer battery life in handheld devices. Essentially, the Z2 Go aims to bring a more accessible handheld gaming experience, while the Z1 Extreme pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in portable PC gaming, yet the performance gap isn’t as big as you might expect.
Benchmarks
The benchmark tests, conducted using a ROG Ally X with the Z1 Extreme and a Legion Go S equipped with the Z2 Go, focused on three demanding titles: Black Myth: Wukong, Cyberpunk 2077, and Ghost of Tsushima. Both devices were set to a 15W APU power limit for consistent comparison.
- Black Myth: Wukong: At 720p resolution and medium graphics settings, the Z1 Extreme powered ROG Ally X achieved an average of 40fps, while the Z2 Go in the Legion Go S managed 36fps.
- Cyberpunk 2077: The Legion Go S with the Z2 Go reached 50fps, slightly trailing the ROG Ally X with the Z1 Extreme at 54fps.
- Ghost of Tsushima: Both devices performed similarly in this title, with the Z1 Extreme achieving 66fps and the Z2 Go hitting 62fps at both 720p and upscaled 1080p with FSR enabled.
Entry-Level Performance with a Focus on Value
While the Z2 Go clearly lags behind the Z1 Extreme, it’s crucial to remember its target market. This APU is designed for more affordable handheld gaming PCs, offering a balance of performance and price. While not cutting-edge, should still provide a smooth gaming experience at lower resolutions and settings. Of course, it’s also well suited to less visually demanding titles, such as many indie gaming titles or older games.
