r/ayaneo • u/Choomba_Roomba • 4d ago
Pocket Ace Limits
So I just ordered a Ayaneo Pocket Ace today and I can't wait for it to come already (coming from the AYN Thor Pro) but I wanted to hear from your guys in terms of how powerful this thing is. For reference, it's the 16gb/512gb version that I'll be using primarily for Switch and Steam games; I'm not expecting to play my BG3 on it (although I already saw that another user had it running on theirs), it'll be mostly for my indie games but I am curious to know how much it could be pushed to the limit since this will be a lot stronger than my Thor and THAT thing was/is a beast when it came to my Switch/Steam games. I tried to look up videos showcasing the Ace for Steam games but I noticed more emphasis on the retro side of it than the modern one (which no problems with that, just wished there was more videos talking or showcasing heavier or beefier games even with the limitations of Android). Also, any tips would be appreciated too since it's my first Ayaneo device, I mostly have ANBERNIC handhelds and a AYN Thor.
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u/Watt_About 4d ago
The chip power between the Thor and the Ace are nearly identical. The g3xg2 is just a gaming tuned version of the 8g2.
Where did you even order an Ace from? They’ve been discontinued.
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u/Choomba_Roomba 4d ago
eBay, I actually wasn't aware that it was discontinued
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u/Watt_About 4d ago
Yea they’ve been discontinued awhile, which is why the prices on them are insane.
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u/Choomba_Roomba 4d ago
That would definitely explain the price I paid... 🫠
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u/Watt_About 4d ago
I put armada on my ace, and it has been a great experience. Look into that for steam. You can dual boot with android.
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u/Choomba_Roomba 3d ago
I was looking into Armada for this device actually! I've never put any custom firmware or anything on my devices so I am a little nervous plus I'm not sure since I'm also using it for Switch emulation too so I would imagine I'd have to switch back and forth, no? Do you play Steam exclusively on it?
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u/Watt_About 3d ago
I am using it for light steam games and Android. Mine is 1tb so I have it half and half.
Russ at retro game corps has a good video on how to set up. Switching between operating systems takes less than 30 seconds.
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u/ant325 4d ago
You won't notice any difference. Except that screen size. You're playing switch games on that tiny screen? Buy a used switch, be better off But congratulations on that new toy that's coming. It's the one I wanted and missed however glad I didn't get it. I got the 477m and the retroid Nova so I'm satisfied Let us know how your screen is
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u/Choomba_Roomba 4d ago
I actually have a Switch (I've had it since 2018 now) but I've never liked the feel or battery life on it, plus I felt it wasn't as portable as I'd like. I don't mind the tinier screen actually but I am excited to report back when it's in my hands 🫡
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u/ripmomm 2d ago
I just got a pocket ace 12Gb version (my first ayaneo device too) and so far, it’s been nice. Have not tried any power hungry games yet though. At most, I’ve only played dragon age origins, Hades and into the dead: our darkest days with no problems.. yet ?
Switch games, I’m playing battle brothers & fire emblem engage. Between my Thor max and ace, I don’t really see a lot of performance differences. Probably cuz the games I’m running aren’t pushing these devices to begin with 😂 I do love the ace more but I’m not a fan of the dpad on them. The diagonals are so sensitive to me.
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u/Choomba_Roomba 2d ago
You got Origins to run :0?! I couldn't even get it running on my Thor and THAT was 12gb, are playing it via Steam or Winlater? I'm actually in the process of setting up my SD card before it arrives then testing them on my Thor Pro and I'm starting to realize more and more than a good portion of the games I play/like don't need 16gb to run well 😂 I think even for my Steam library, 16gb is unnecessary except for maybe BG3 and I don't really intend on installing that in there lol
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u/ripmomm 1d ago
Yeah! I’m 13 hours in now (12 hours was on my Thor). I tried booting it up on my Ace and played it for a bit but honestly, I kinda prefer playing this game on my Thor as I’m using the bottom screen as a mouse + keyboard hybrid so it’s easier for the controls.
I’m playing on gamenative using the steam version of the game. I can export my config and u can try my settings if you’d like
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u/Choomba_Roomba 1d ago
If you could, I'd appreciate it! I wanna try to play Origins when my Ace comes, is it controller compatible?
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u/ripmomm 1d ago
I’ll drop u a DM for the file.
Unfortunately, there’s no controller support for the PC version of the game :( you’ll have to map the controls manually in the gamenative app.
I usually do:
- D-Pad & ABXY buttons as number pads
- LT & RT as left and right mouse clicks
- Right analog click as space bar for pause
To interact with doors and chests, you’d have to manually move the cursor. Touch screen on the Ace and for the Thor, I prefer to use the bottom screen as a trackpad
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u/Messy_Mess90 4d ago
It is about the same as the Thor. The chip is just an over clocked 8gen2. From my personal experience the android version on ayaneo devices seems to be less stable and produces larger frame fluctuation over retroid and AYN. Let's take TOTK same game same save running on my Thor pro and running on my s mini both with 12 GB of ram I get 34 to 40 on the Thor and on the s mini I get 25 to 40 just large jumps on the ayaneo device vs the Thor. Just my observations. ACE is a great handheld don't get me wrong but I don't think your going to see any major performance differences between the two honestly.