GPD has unveiled its latest iteration of the GPD Win Max 2 in 2024, boasting a significant update in the form of the AMD Ryzen 7 8840U CPU. This new chip is the centerpiece of this light upgrade cycle, aimed at pushing the handheld device’s performance further. The AMD Ryzen 7 8840U is a slightly more powerful successor to the AMD Ryzen 7 7840U, and recent testing reveals its impact on the Win Max 2’s capabilities.
A detailed analysis by YouTuber Cary Golomb showcases the GPD Win Max 2, priced at $1,369.99 on Amazon, competing against its predecessor with RAM frequency fixed at 7500 MHz and optimized CPU power settings to enhance GPU performance. Golomb narrows his focus on performance alterations across various power states, illustrating that the Ryzen 7 8840U outperforms the 7840U, particularly at reduced TDP levels and with faster RAM. At a TDP of 10 W, benchmark results indicate the 8840U is about 10% swifter than the 7840U at the equivalent TDP – a commendable yearly performance enhancement.
The Unigine Heaven test, which evaluates both CPU and GPU operations across different RAM speeds and TDPs, noted the Ryzen 7 8840U triumphing over the 7840U in all categories. Interestingly, up to a 12 W TDP, the 8840U offered comparable performance irrespective of the DDR5 RAM operating at either 6400 MT/s or 7500 MT/s. However, past 12 W TDP, the improved RAM frequency allowed the AMD Ryzen 7 8840U to achieve significantly higher scores than when running at lower memory speeds.
An unexpected aspect uncovered was increased power consumption. The new 8840U, though superior in performance, consumed around 7% more power than the 7840U, which translates into a less efficient setup and a noticeable dip in the GPD Win Max 2’s battery life. Despite meticulous controls in testing conditions, such as equal screen brightness and identical software configurations, the 7% discrepancy in power usage remained.
At a 25 W test, the power consumption difference shrank, hinting at a power overhead that appears more pronounced at reduced power levels. Customers contemplating the GPD Win Max 2 will need to reflect on whether the roughly 10% performance boost brought by the AMD Ryzen 7 8840U justifies the approximate 7% decline in battery life. It is reported that, overall, the older Ryzen 7 7840U model sustains about 15 minutes more battery life than the updated version.
For those seeking alternatives, affordable options like the Lenovo Legion Go, available at $649.99 from Lenovo US, and the Asus ROG Ally, priced at $699.99 from Best Buy, present as viable choices. As handheld gaming devices and compact PCs continue to evolve, the balance between performance and efficiency remains a critical factor for consumers.
