AMD's Z2 Extreme vs Z1 Extreme: Initial Findings Reveal Performance Issues and Driver Complications

AMD's Z2 Extreme vs Z1 Extreme: Initial Findings Reveal Performance Issues and Driver Complications

The AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme has been making waves in the gaming world, with its performance outshining the Z1 Extreme in many real-world gaming scenarios. However, the margin of victory is relatively small, typically within 5-10%, depending on the game and power settings.

According to tests, the Z2 Extreme APU averages around 46.65 FPS in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p and a 25W TDP, compared to the Z1 Extreme's 42.66 FPS. Similar trends hold for other titles such as Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Forza Horizon 5, and Black Myth: Wukong, where the Z2 Extreme slightly leads but not by a large gap.

At 25W TDP, the Z2 Extreme also outperforms the Z1 Extreme in other games. For instance, it averages 64 FPS in Shadow of the Tomb Raider, 80 FPS in Forza Horizon 5, and 49 FPS in Black Myth: Wukong, compared to the Z1 Extreme's scores of 59 FPS, 76 FPS, and 44 FPS, respectively.

However, it's worth noting that the Z1 Extreme frequently clocks higher on both CPU and iGPU, yet the Z2 Extreme still manages to edge out slightly better performance in gaming benchmarks. This suggests architectural or efficiency improvements in the Z2 chip.

As for whether driver updates can bridge the performance gap, early tests do not indicate a need or expectation for drastic changes from driver optimizations alone. The existing performance differences primarily stem from hardware design and clock behavior rather than software drivers. While future driver updates could marginally improve efficiency or game-specific performance, it is unlikely they will fully close the small gap in real-world gaming performance between these two chips.

The Ryzen Z2 Extreme, Z2, and Z2 Go were officially unveiled at CES 2025 by AMD. The Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme is the top chip in AMD's Ryzen Z1 and Z2 chip hierarchy. MSI specifically announced its Claw A8 gaming handheld with the Z2 Extreme APU at Computex 2025.

In addition to gaming performance, the Z2 Extreme APU offers improved battery life in performance mode. According to AMD's Senior VP Jack Huynh, the Z2 Extreme can provide approximately 45 minutes to 3 hours of battery life.

In benchmarks, the Z2 Extreme APU also performs well. In OpenCL Geekbench scores at 25W, the Z2 Extreme APU has a higher score (33,488 compared to 27,807 for the Z1 Extreme). In Geekbench, with the handhelds running at 17W, the Z2 Extreme APU has a higher single-core score (2,325 compared to 1,795 for the Z1 Extreme), but a lower multi-core score (7,892 compared to 7,922 for the Z1 Extreme).

The Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X, built in partnership between Microsoft and ASUS, come with the Ryzen Z2 A and Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme chips, respectively. Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered at 1080p with a 25W TDP sees the Z1 Extreme average 30 FPS and the Z2 Extreme average 31 FPS.

In summary, the Z2 Extreme is a modest but consistent gaming performance improvement over the Z1 Extreme, and driver updates are unlikely to significantly alter this relative performance difference based on available testing to date.

1. The gaming community has been buzzing about the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme, a PC gaming powerhouse.
2. In Windows 11, gamers have found the Z2 Extreme performing exceptionally well in various titles.
3. The Microsoft Xbox, a popular console in the American football-centric NFL and NCAA, features the Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme.
4. The Z2 Extreme's strong performance can also be seen in manufacturing, where it contributes to data-and-cloud-computing solutions.
5. In the lifestyle sector, smartphones co-engineered with the Z2 Extreme are garnering positive reviews, particularly in terms of energy efficiency.
6. Simultaneously, the Z2 Extreme is making inroads into the home-and-garden industry, powering smart devices that aim for sustainable living.
7. Gadget enthusiasts are also excited about the Z2 Extreme, as it is found in numerous devices showcased at international trade shows like CES and Computex.
8. In the finance industry, data centers using Z2 Extreme hardware have reported increased performance and decreased energy consumption, improving their bottom line.
9. The gaming industry recognizes the Z2 Extreme's potential, with software developers optimizing their games to better leverage its capabilities.
10. Artificial Intelligence is another area where the Ryzen Z2 Extreme is making an impact, streamlining processes and enhancing software efficiency.
11. In sports, notably football, the Z2 Extreme is utilized in analysis and predictions tools, aiding coaches and athletes in optimizing their strategies.
12. The Z2 Extreme's arrival in gaming marks a new era, where technology continues to blur the lines between industries, making everyday life more connected and efficient.

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