AMD recently released the Ryzen 7 8840U processor, which stands out for its performance in low-power situations. The Steam Deck has garnered significant interest, largely due to its AMD Accelerated Processing Unit (APU) codenamed Aerith, known for its efficiency and performance.
Despite the arrival of faster gaming handhelds like the ROG Ally with newer processors, they don’t surpass the Steam Deck in power efficiency. However, a recent benchmark shared by X user @carygolomb suggests that the new AMD Ryzen 7 8840U, based on Zen 4 core architecture, has finally surpassed the Steam Deck’s Aerith AMD APU built on Zen 2 in performance.
The significance of performance, particularly at the 10W power limit, lies in its impact on battery life, determining the amount of on-the-go gaming a user can enjoy. Previously, only the Steam Deck could deliver this level of performance at a 10W limit, but the launch of the AMD Ryzen 8000 series has changed that.
As per the benchmark mentioned earlier, the Ryzen 7 8840U (limited to a 10W power constraint), outperforms the Steam Deck’s Aerith processor based on Zen 2 Core + RDNA 2 Graphics. With the newer Radeon 780M graphics, the Ryzen 8000 processor achieves an average of 51.7 FPS, while the Steam Deck achieves 48.3 FPS.
The GPD Handhelds with the AMD Ryzen 7 8840U are now among the best options to consider due to this performance improvement. However, it’s still uncertain whether the Steam Deck OLED offers better power efficiency than the Ryzen 7 8840U. The gaming benchmark didn’t specify which Steam Deck model was tested, whether it was the OLED variant or the original version.
Valve’s update to the internal processor of the Steam Deck with the OLED variant resulted in slight improvements in power efficiency, thanks to a newer manufacturing process. However, the Ryzen 7 8840U surpassing the Steam Deck’s processor is a noteworthy development.
Possibly Fall Short of Meeting Valve’s expectations
The performance of the new AMD Ryzen 8000 processors might not be as impressive as anticipated. Despite the introduction of two processor generations (Zen 3 and Zen 4), the Ryzen 7 8840U only delivers about a ~7% improvement in FPS compared to the older Zen 2-based Aerith processor.
It’s worth noting that the Ryzen 8000 performs better at higher power limits. However, we’re specifically discussing performance at the 10W profile here. The efficiency gain at this level may not be sufficient for Valve’s requirements.
The company is unlikely to consider the current processor architectures for the next Steam Deck. However, I find this development exciting. Why? Because at least it brings us one step closer to the future technologies that may meet Valve’s demands.
It’s important to note that a collaborative effort between AMD and Valve might occur to develop a custom chip, integrating features of the Ryzen 8000. At the end this could result in a processor that outperforms others in terms of power efficiency.
That hypothetical special chip could potentially achieve even better efficiency than what was demonstrated earlier. The APU found in the original Steam Deck has stood the test of time and remains one of the most efficient AMD processors available.
What do you think about the AMD Ryzen 7 8840U processor? Do you find its efficiency impressive, or were you expecting something more groundbreaking from chipmakers? Share your opinions in the comments below.
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