Comparing MSI Claw A8 / 8 AI+ Handhelds: Ryzen Z2 Extreme vs. Intel Lunar Lake Performance Analysis – Superior GPU Performance and Impressive 1% Lows at 17W

Recent benchmark tests reveal that MSI’s AMD-powered Claw A8 handheld demonstrates superior performance compared to its Intel-based counterpart, the Claw 8 AI+, particularly in several gaming scenarios.

Performance Comparison: MSI Claw A8 Versus Claw 8 AI+

The standout feature in this comparison is AMD’s Zen 5 architecture, specifically the Ryzen Z2 Extreme chipset, which has quickly garnered acclaim in various performance metrics. Deployed in the Claw A8, this latest SoC showcases its capabilities against the Claw 8 AI+ that is built on Intel’s Lunar Lake architecture. Both devices share similar specifications, yet notable distinctions exist between them.

The Ryzen Z2 Extreme, regarded as the flagship within the Z2 series, significantly outperforms the Claw 8 AI+, which utilizes the Lunar Lake Ultra 7 258V chip. The Lunar Lake variant consists of 8 cores and 8 threads manufactured with TSMC’s N3B node and is equipped with an Eight Xe2-based GPU. Conversely, the Ryzen Z2 Extreme, while based on TSMC’s older 4nm technology, offers 8 cores and 16 threads with clock speeds escalating to 5.0 GHz. Its integrated GPU is comparable to the Radeon 890M, boasting 16 compute units built using the RDNA 3.5 architecture.

Benchmark comparison between MSI Claw A8 and Claw 8 AI+ gaming handhelds. — Image Source: Golden Pig Upgrade

Graphs display that the Claw A8 consistently achieves enhanced frame rates, with performance boosts nearing 20% in demanding titles such as Assassin’s Creed: Shadows. However, in most cases, the performance difference hovers around 5%.Importantly, this gap becomes even more pronounced when comparing performance at 30W versus 17W configurations.

Performance comparison at 30W between MSI Claw handhelds. — Image Source: Golden Pig Upgrade

Moreover, the Claw A8 showcases superior 1% low frame rates, a significant indicator of smoother gameplay experiences. With competitive pricing ranging from $900 to $1000 for both handhelds, the choice for gamers may lean heavily towards the Claw A8 due to its enhanced performance metrics and TDP capabilities, which can reach up to 35W.

1080p gaming benchmark comparison chart with performance metrics. — Image Source: Golden Pig Upgrade

This analysis highlights that while the AMD-based Claw A8 is likely to attract more gamers seeking higher performance, the Intel Lunar Lake technology still holds potential and could offer similar or improved value with appropriate price adjustments for the Claw 8 AI+.

Currently, numerous handheld manufacturers are gravitating towards custom Ryzen APUs and Strix Point chips, reflecting a growing market demand for versatile options. In contrast, the Intel Lunar Lake remains less flexible, restricting offerings to just 8-core configurations.

For ongoing updates and discussions, refer to sources such as Bilibili and @9550pro.

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