In a plot twist for the burgeoning Windows gaming handheld market, benchmark results have surfaced for what appears to be an MSI Claw device powered by an AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor. This discovery throws a curveball, as the initial Claw models launched exclusively with Intel Core Ultra ("Meteor Lake") chips.
The benchmark listing, spotted on Geekbench 6, identifies the device as the "MSI Claw 8 A1EV" and clearly lists the processor as the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme. This chip features 8 cores and 16 threads, aligning with the core configuration of AMD's current flagship handheld APU, the Ryzen Z1 Extreme, but seemingly with higher clock speeds. The listing shows a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock reaching up to 5.10 GHz.
Key Benchmark Results:
- Geekbench 6 CPU Test: The device achieved a single-core score of 2,727 and a multi-core score of 13,076.
See the CPU benchmark results here: https://browser.geekbench.com/v6/cpu/12827792
Geekbench 6 Compute (Vulkan API) Test: It scored 116,247 points.
See the Vulkan compute benchmark here: https://browser.geekbench.com/v6/compute/4447651
- Geekbench 6 Compute (OpenCL API) Test: It scored 114,532 points.
See the OpenCL compute benchmark here: https://browser.geekbench.com/v6/compute/4447662
Why This Matters:
- AMD vs. Intel Strategy Shift?: MSI's initial Claw launch positioned it as the first major handheld championing Intel's new Core Ultra architecture, aiming to compete directly with AMD-powered devices like the Asus ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go. The appearance of an AMD variant suggests MSI might be exploring a dual-chip strategy, hedging its bets, or responding to market feedback.
- Performance Context: While benchmark scores only tell part of the story (real-world gaming performance, thermals, and battery life are crucial), the multi-core score is notably higher than the Intel-powered Claw models (which typically score around 10,000-11,000 multi-core in GB6). The GPU compute scores also appear competitive on paper, but direct comparisons between AMD RDNA and Intel Arc architectures require real-world game testing.
- The "Z2 Extreme" Enigma: The chip is identified as "Ryzen Z2 Extreme," suggesting it could be a refresh or minor evolution of the current "Z1" series, possibly featuring higher clock speeds or efficiency tweaks, rather than a completely new architecture. This fits AMD's typical naming conventions for iterative updates.
- Market Competition: This development intensifies competition in the Windows handheld space. Consumers potentially gain more choice within the Claw lineup itself, pitting AMD's established handheld GPU prowess against Intel's newer integrated graphics.
Industry Reaction and Speculation:
The discovery has sparked significant discussion among tech enthusiasts and industry watchers. Key questions include:
- Is this a prototype, a planned variant for specific regions, or a sign of a broader shift for the Claw lineup?
- What are the specific differences between the "Z1 Extreme" and "Z2 Extreme"?
- How will MSI position and price an AMD Claw relative to its Intel counterpart and competitors?
- Does this indicate MSI seeking better performance-per-watt or addressing specific feedback on the Intel models?
"Seeing an AMD chip in the Claw is unexpected but strategically interesting," commented tech analyst Ben Carter. "It gives MSI flexibility. They can leverage AMD's strong reputation in integrated graphics for handhelds while still pushing Intel's platform. Ultimately, more choice for gamers is a good thing, but MSI needs clear differentiation between the models."
MSI has not officially announced any plans for an AMD-powered Claw variant. These Geekbench listings are often early indicators of devices in testing. The model number "MSI Claw 8 A1EV" strongly suggests this is a genuine MSI prototype.
What's Next:
Expect heightened speculation and scrutiny around MSI's handheld strategy. If an AMD-powered Claw is indeed in the works, an official announcement could come in the coming months, potentially alongside details on the Ryzen Z2 Extreme specifications. For now, the Geekbench listing provides concrete evidence that MSI is actively testing this configuration, signaling potential diversification for one of the newest players in the portable PC gaming arena.
Stay tuned for further developments as this story unfolds. The battle for your gaming thumbs just got more interesting.
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