MSI Claw 8 AI+ Software Update Unlocks Lunar Lake’s Full Potential; Achieves Up to 30% Performance Increase

Recent updates to the MSI Claw 8 AI+ have led to impressive performance enhancements, particularly with the adjustment of the PL2 power limit. When set to a value 1W higher than PL1, the gaming handheld shows an overall improvement of at least 10% compared to previous configurations.

MSI Unveils Key Software Update: PL2 Set 1W Above PL1 for Enhanced Performance

The unique performance issues faced by the Lunar Lake-based handhelds highlighted a significant limitation under specific power settings that hindered the MSI Claw 8 AI+ from maximizing its capabilities. According to a report by TechPowerUp, previous tests indicated that setting PL2 equal to PL1 restricted the device’s performance. Following Intel’s recommendations, a revised approach was implemented, leading MSI to launch the updated Center M application, designed to set the PL2 threshold a minimum of 1W higher than PL1.

This strategic change ensures that PL2 values will never match those of PL1, thereby allowing the Lunar Lake chipset to tap into higher performance levels. Intel advocates for a PL2 setting at 37W, the upper thermal design power (TDP) for the Lunar Lake architecture. Following the recent software update while retaining the same graphics drivers, TechPowerUp noted a significant performance boost nearing 10% in a broad array of gaming scenarios, with some titles achieving improvements of up to 30%.

Cyberpunk 2077 average FPS comparison chart: MSI Claw leads with 54 FPS. — Performance benchmarks for Cyberpunk 2077 demonstrating the MSI Claw 8 AI+’s improved FPS.

Bar chart comparing FPS performance of MSI, Zotac, ASUS ROG, and Steam Deck on Control. — FPS performance comparison between the MSI Claw 8 AI+, Zotac, ASUS ROG, and Steam Deck for Control.

The updates have significantly impacted titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Space Marine 2. In particular, Space Marine 2 exhibited a remarkable performance increase of approximately 31% at a power setting of 15W, surpassing competitors such as the ROG Ally and ZOTAC Zone handhelds. Performance improvements of 5-10% were consistently observed across numerous other games when tested at 25W and 30W, notably at a resolution of 1080p, enhancing the overall gaming experience.

Space Marine 2 FPS benchmark chart for different devices at 1920x1080 resolution, TechPowerUp — Benchmark results for Space Marine 2 performance at 1920×1080 resolution.

Chart of Space Marine 2 FPS benchmarks for MSI Claw, Zotac Zone, ASUS ROG Ally GPUs. — Comparative FPS benchmarks for various handhelds running Space Marine 2.

Owners of the MSI Claw 8 AI+ are strongly encouraged to update to the latest version of the MSI Center M software to harness these enhancements. With the new configuration, the Claw 8 has emerged as a leading device, outperforming both the ZOTAC Zone and the ROG Ally. Moreover, under lower power modes (15W), the Claw 8 not only improves battery efficiency but also provides superior frame rates for a more enjoyable gaming experience. Although adjustments in resolution to 720p or 800p may be beneficial, the increase in frames per second (FPS) will be distinctly noticeable.

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