MSI has revealed that it is shifting away from its Intel-exclusive lineup of gaming handhelds and can now supply fashions powered by AMD chips. The MSI Claw A8 is powered by the Ryzen Z2 Excessive, however concern not, as Intel-powered Claw fashions are sticking round, as seen within the new Polar Tempest design.
MSI is making an enormous push to launch the perfect gaming handheld doable, now hedging its bets throughout each AMD and Intel-powered units. Rumors of this transfer got here to gentle final week, however there was no affirmation of which CPU would characteristic within the new handheld. Nonetheless, we now know that the Ryzen Z2 Excessive powers the Claw A8.
The MSI Claw A8 solely comes with just a few notable variations when in comparison with the 8AI+ Polar Tempest version, primarily based on the specs that MSI has offered. The primary is the apparent change to the CPU, the place the Intel Core Extremely 7 258V has been changed with the AMD Ryzen Z2 Excessive. The cupboard space on every console can be totally different, with the Polar Tempest (see picture under) having 2TB of SSD storage, whereas the A8 comes with 1TB.
There may be additionally a minor change to the RAM used. The Claw 8AI+ Polar Tempest makes use of 32GB of LPDDR5x-8533 reminiscence, whereas the A8 is listed as utilizing as much as 24GB of LPDDR5x-8000 reminiscence in a dual-channel configuration.
Different minor variations embrace a distinction within the console dimensions of the Claw A8, with the size and top being elevated by 5mm and 2mm, respectively. That is seemingly all the way down to the Claw A8 adopting a extra angular design (see high picture) in comparison with the 8AI+
The Claw A8 additionally makes use of Wi-Fi 6E versus Intel Wi-Fi 7 getting used on the Polar Tempest. Lastly, there may be an estimated weight distinction of 30g, with the Polar Tempest anticipated to be the heavier of the handhelds.
We’re eager to see benchmarks from the AMD-powered Claw handheld, as at first look, there’s a probability it may fall wanting the 8AI+ efficiency. The Ryzen Z2 Excessive is about to make use of the identical Radeon 890M graphics because the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 featured in handhelds such because the Ayaneo 3 and AOKZOE A1X. Taking a few of our Cyberpunk 2o77 benchmarks from these units and evaluating them to the MSI Claw 8AI+, there’s a very minor distinction.
| Cyberpunk 2077 | MSI Claw 8AI+ | Ayaneo 3 | AOKZOE A1X |
| Low 30W | 72fps | 68fps | 79fps |
| Medium 30W | 65fps | 62fps | 70fps |
| Excessive 30W | 53fps | 52fps | 57fps |
| Extremely 30W | 50fps | 47fps | 53fps |
The very best-case situation is that the Ryzen Z2 Excessive comes out on the upper finish of this scale, being near the efficiency of the A1X, however solely time will inform.
It is also not but confirmed whether or not the AI Engine featured on the Claw 8AI+ can be absent, as this can be an enormous miss given its usefulness on the Intel-powered handhelds, particularly for extending battery life.
When you’re searching for some handhelds you may evaluate to MSI’s newest releases, try our Ayaneo 3 overview and Asus ROG Ally X overview for in-depth evaluation and benchmarks.
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