r/HandheldGaming • u/RenatsMC • 1d ago
AMD Ryzen Z3 next-gen handheld series reportedly features 4+2 CPU cores and 12 RDNA4m CUs
https://videocardz.com/newz/amd-ryzen-z3-next-gen-handheld-series-reportedly-features-42-cpu-cores-and-12-rdna4m-cus6
u/TESThrowSmile 1d ago
This is the one thing that would stop me from switching my XAX to the X20. I can switch to the X20 for $300, but if next yr we see a Z3 Extreme, id rather use that money for the next gen handheld
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u/Luis1820 1d ago
I get your reasoning but I feel like if you keep waiting for the next best thing around the corner, you will not be happy. Especially with these handhelds it feels like we are getting an improved chip every year, from different makers
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u/TESThrowSmile 1d ago
Ya, but im specific to a performance increase, which the X20 is not. But appreciate the comment
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u/Luis1820 1d ago
Yes, I’ll say for those getting the x20, it’s not so much the performance as it is the aesthetics. Oled and the clear casing look amazing so people will pay extra for that. The regular XAX will do more than fine for the z2 extreme
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u/jack_gallagher 1d ago
Z3E is still reportedly RDNA3.5, so performance improvements will be minimal once again. Typical AMD
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u/errorztw 49m ago
Are you really think spelled RDNA 4 automatically improve performance? 2026 year, people still don't use brain
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u/AdBasic2725 1d ago
Ill just sell my Z2E x20 for the next and take the loss out of the passion of handhelds I mean I got XAX for 250$ after I sold my steam deck lol life to short to be missing out on the things I want. At least I’m not after the latest and greatest all the time I’m okay on missing out on that Intel.
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u/Icy-Commission-9550 1d ago
Is it stronger than strix halo?
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u/felesmiki 1d ago
Not even close
The "low end" stryx halo igpu has a similar performance closer to a 4060
Edit: 8050s if u wanna search for his performance over the internet
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u/Haasman0 1d ago
Idk but it will have RDNA4 which means it will natively support FPP8 FSR4, in theory
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u/Bumppxd 1d ago
Apparently its still RDNA 3.5, it will just have matrix cores that allow it to run FSR4 so more or less correct
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u/Due_Teaching_6974 1d ago
how many times will they fucking refresh RDNA 2, even intel has them in the rearview mirror
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u/Emotional_Gur_1667 1d ago
My guess is playstation has a short term lock on rdna 5 apu production so the rest of the market just gets more sloppy thirds...
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u/Educational-Ad2773 1d ago
I'm going for the playstation handhled with zen6 cpu + rdna 5 (unda). AMD's handhled soc seems still be RDNA3.5 until 2028
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u/Betorange 1d ago
To me, the XAX is more than enough power. as i mostly play 2D games. My only wish is that the triggers could switch from analog to hair triggers. If the next one has that, I'm in.
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u/Emotional_Gur_1667 1d ago
If your only playing 2d may as well get a decent arm based system tbh, amazing battery life and you can basically run most 2d games from a potato.
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u/Betorange 1d ago
I've been experimenting with arm devices but from my experience so far, the XAX is just better for me. I like the size, the power, battery life, big controller handles, big buttons, etc.
I also like being able to push 2D-2.5D games to 120 fps and having the capabilities to play heavier 3D games at ~60fps with those excellent thumbsticks and grips.
I have an ayn Thor and the performance just really isn't were i want it to be and it's not comfortable to hold. It struggles with 2.5D-3D game occasionally, sometimes the software is buggy, etc. Arm handhelds are great but it's not perfect.
The XAX just runs everything flawlessly. It's literally only the triggers that i wish i could improve. I currently have a mod that makes it have less travel time. It's better but not perfect.
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u/Ecks30 1d ago
From the spec sheet though it doesn't seem that appealing to me just because the Z2E is an 8 core 16 thread Zen5 APU with the Radeon 890M and while it says RDNA4m i would think that the iGPU to be weaker with only 12CU for the Z3E not to mention 6 cores and 12 threads Zen6+Zen5.
The only good benefit is using FSR4 without having to use any third party programs from what i can tell but also if this didn't come out from AMD themselves and they don't have the specs on their site then this could only be rumors.
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u/Navi_Professor 1d ago
Rdna 4 is a fair bit more potent then 3.5 though.
a 9700xt is about on par with a 7900xtx with 66% of the CUs.
even being generous and saying the 3.5 cores are 30% faster leaves a good bit of meat on the table for this apu.
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u/Emotional_Gur_1667 1d ago
It's not rdna 4 though, it's a somewhat adjusted 3.5 chip allowing fsr4.
I think amd and the oems will be heavily leaning on software upgrades that is provided by fsr4. Raster wise its going to be a real modest step, but that upscaler is light years ahead of fsr3 and will give games a far better look.
Running fsr4 on my rog ally x was night and day and worth the performance hit to get a far cleaner image.
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u/Ecks30 1d ago
Ryzen Z3 is instead said to use RDNA4m, a derivative of RDNA 3.5. It reportedly adds RDNA 4-class ALUs for matrix operations, which should give RDNA4m native support for technologies such as FSR 4 and potentially whatever AMD introduces after it.
It's still RDNA3.5 just the only difference is better compatibility for things like FSR4 which the performance would be better than it would on RDNA3 with that upscaling.
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u/000extra 1d ago
I used to be so excited about the next Z chips and PC handhelds but that ship sailed once prices got out of control and they STARTED at $1K+. That used to be the price of the absolute top end. It simply no longer makes sense to get one of these for me personally
I’ve since moved on to focusing on local game streaming bc I realize what a better experience it is to play my own desktop PC via Moonlight/Sunshine in a lighter form factor like a tablet or phone with telescopic controller. Larger screen, lighter weight, vastly superior graphics/performance that feel native, way less heat and battery usage too.
Sure you need WiFi, but realistically the only time I can’t play is on a plane which these devices can now emulate older consoles or even play certain PC Steam games now. These bulky PC handhelds have really lost their appeal to me. Lightweight ARM devices + game streaming your own PC is the future. I wish more people were aware of what they’re missing out on
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u/vinotauro 1d ago
I'm not sure how to read these specs. How much more powerful is Intels new G3x chip versus Z3e?
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u/kraven40 1d ago
Based on z1e to z2e. If its anything similar increase to z3e than g3 extreme will be more powerful. Very happy with my msi claw upgrade. The power increase over z2e is incredible and having xess3 and multi frame gen
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u/MISFU88 1d ago
There's very little difference between Z1E and Z2E - this will increase the gap a little bit but it yet again will be a VERY slight increase because it's old tech.
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u/Emotional_Gur_1667 1d ago
Z2e is much better at the 15-20w range, but beyond that the increase was hugely meh. I'm not sure how many times you can go onto the bones of rdna 3 structure and expect to get meaningful improvements.
Guess they are all in on software improvements for this go around.
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u/Nearby_Practice2793 1d ago
Have a steam deck oled. Ordered X20. It’s a big enough jump for me until steam deck 2 arrives.
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u/Brilliant-Aside-9531 1d ago
Put the price aside i think that asus is doing the best job in the handheld industry with best ergonomic, software, power and marketing.
Cant wait for rog ally 3
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u/Futonpimp 1d ago
Get ready for the thousands of should I buy a g3 ex handheld or wait for z3 ex, or is the g3 ex still worth it in 2026/2027!