AMD Ryzen Z2 Series Updated: Introducing High-End Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme and Budget-Friendly Ryzen Z2 A SOCs

AMD continues to innovate in the handheld gaming sector with the introduction of its Ryzen Z2 series of system-on-chips (SoCs).This new lineup features the affordable Ryzen Z2 A and the premium Ryzen Z2 Extreme, designed specifically to enhance performance in modern gaming consoles.

Introducing the AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme and Budget-Friendly Ryzen Z2 A Chip

The Ryzen Z2 series expands AMD’s offerings beyond the existing models by introducing two compelling new options. This expansion follows a previous announcement that included three variants: Ryzen Z2 Extreme, Ryzen Z2, and Ryzen Z2 Go. While the Ryzen Z2 Extreme and Ryzen Z2 are built on the advanced Zen 5 and Zen 4 architectures, the Ryzen Z2 Go, exclusive to Lenovo handhelds, utilizes the older Zen 3+ architecture.

In response to the surging demand for artificial intelligence capabilities, AMD has launched the “Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme.”This new chip retains the specifications of the Ryzen Z2 Extreme but incorporates a dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for optimizing AI tasks. This innovation marks the first Ryzen chip tailored for handheld devices to deliver AI functionality, achieving up to 50 TOPs (Tera Operations Per Second) in AI workloads.

This CPU configuration includes 8 cores and 16 threads based on the latest Zen 5 architecture, paired with a robust GPU featuring 16 RDNA 3.5 cores. While AMD has not disclosed specific performance metrics, early indications suggest that it may perform comparably to the Radeon 890M, which also integrates 16 RDNA 3.5 cores.

Conversely, the newly released AMD Ryzen Z2 A targets entry-level handheld devices, relying on the older RDNA 2 architecture for its integrated graphics unit (iGPU).Sporting 8 GPU cores, this chip is optimized not for cutting-edge gaming performance, but for providing a solid experience for budget-conscious consumers.

The Ryzen Z2 A features a downgraded configuration with only 4 cores and 8 threads, bringing its capabilities in line with the existing Ryzen APU found in devices like the Steam Deck. This model boasts an impressive energy efficiency, operating within a thermal design power (TDP) range of 6 to 20 watts, ultimately enhancing battery efficiency in portable gaming.

The Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme, along with its Z2 counterparts, will support a TDP range of 15 to 30 watts. These advanced APUs offer memory speeds of up to 8000 MT/s, significantly higher than the Ryzen Z2’s 7500 MT/s and the Ryzen Z2 Go’s 6400 MT/s.

As AMD rolls out these new processors, consumers can look forward to upgraded versions of existing handhelds that utilize the Ryzen Z1 architecture, with anticipated launches slated for later this year.

Overview of AMD’s Ryzen “Z”Series Gaming Handheld APUs

CPU Name	AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme	AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme	AMD Ryzen Z2	AMD Ryzen Z2 GO	AMD Ryzen Z2 A	AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme	AMD Ryzen Z1
Family	Strix	Strix	Hawk	Rembrandt	Mendocino	Phoenix	Phoenix
Process Node	TSMC 4nm	TSMC 4nm	TSMC 4nm	TSMC 6nm	TSMC 6nm	TSMC 4nm	TSMC 4nm
Max Cores/Threads	8/16	8/16	8/16	4/8	4/8	8/16	8/16
Max Clocks	5.0 GHz	5.0 GHz	5.1 GHz	4.3 GHz	TBD	5.1 GHz	4.9 GHz
Max Cache	16 MB	16 MB	16 MB	8 MB	8 MB	16 MB	16 MB
Memory	LPDDR5x-8000	LPDDR5x-8000	LPDDR5x-7500	LPDDR5-6400	LPDDR5-6400	LPDDR5-6400	LPDDR5-6400
TDP Range	15-35W	15-35W	15-35W	15-35W	6-20W	9-30W	9-30W
GPU Architecture	RDNA 3.5	RDNA 3.5	RDNA 3	RDNA 2	RDNA 2	RDNA 3	RDNA 3
Max GPU Cores	16 CUs	16 CUs	12 CUs	12 CUs	8 CUs	12 CUs	4 CUs
Launch	June, 2025	June, 2025	2025	2025	June, 2025	Q3 2023	Q3 2023