Ryzen Z2 Extreme Challenges Intel Core Ultra 7 258V in Gaming Handheld Face-Off

The MSI Claw A8, featuring the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme, is creating a buzz in the gaming handheld world, but it’s still not available outside China. Recently, Golden Pig Upgrade, a reviewer from China, compared this model with the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V variant. In terms of performance, the AMD version seems to have the edge at both 17 W and 30 W TDPs.

The MSI Claw A8, equipped with the Ryzen Z2 Extreme, delivers impressive gaming performance, showcasing superiority in 1% lows across various games. This implies smoother gameplay compared to the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V variant.

In terms of frames per second (FPS), the AMD-powered device outperforms its Intel counterpart in most of the tested games, at both low and high power settings. While the Intel version offers commendable power efficiency, often comparable to the Steam Deck, the AMD model shines with superior overall performance. Specifically, it demonstrates approximately 5.7% better performance at 30 W and about 7.4% at 17 W.

Ultimately, while the AMD-powered MSI Claw A8 is currently the better choice for gaming enthusiasts, future price adjustments could influence the competition between the models. Stay tuned for further developments as these devices make their way into more markets.