The ROG Xbox Ally X could be weaker than we all expected — this older handheld may be more powerful

News
By published

Is the new ASUS machine lacking an ‘X Factor’?

Handheld PCs
(Image credit: ETA PRIME)

The ROG Xbox Ally X is set to launch this fall, and while we’re particularly keen to see how its streamlined Windows interface works to improve performance and usability, it might offer another glimpse at the power battle between Intel and AMD.

And, unlike our report this week which suggested AMD was sneaking ahead when it comes to performance per watt, new benchmarking results have suggested that the ROG Xbox Ally X could be less powerful than the MSI Claw 8 AI+.

Xbox handheld to be underpowered at launch?

Ryzen Z2 Extreme VS Intel Core Ultra 258V vs Ryzen Z1 Extreme Showdown! - YouTube Ryzen Z2 Extreme VS Intel Core Ultra 258V vs Ryzen Z1 Extreme Showdown! - YouTube
Watch On

YouTube account ETA PRIME has put the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V (in the MSI Claw 8 AI+) and both the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme (in the MSI Claw A8) and the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme ASUS ROG Ally X into a benchmarking test, and the results are particularly impressive for the MSI Claw 8 AI+.

Geekbench 6 results show the Intel-powered Claw 8 AI+ coming out on top for single and multi-core tests at 17W, with the same chip keeping pace with the Ryzen Z2 Extreme at 25W in single core tests.

Image 1 of 3
AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme tests
(Image credit: ETAPrime)

Both devices left the Ryzen Z1 Extreme behind, but the two AMD chips did do better at 25W on multi-core scores.

When it comes to graphical analysis, 3DMark’s Time Spy GPU benchmark gives the win to Intel, but as ETA PRIME explains, ““Synthetic scores tend to favor Intel’s 140V GPU, but they don’t always translate to smoother gaming”.

Still, the chip performed at the same level of AMD’s offerings across titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Forza Horizon 5, and Black Myth: Wukong.

Outlook

ROG Xbox Ally

(Image credit: Microsoft / Asus)

So, where did all this come from? ETA PRIME has said Intel’s drivers have been improved to the point where frame rates are almost double what they were at launch. We saw this ourselves when testing the new drivers on the Claw 8 AI+.

It all begs the question — what can Microsoft do to eke out even more performance from its upcoming handheld with Asus? Or will it struggle to reach further than existing systems? We’ll have an update as soon as we’ve gone hands on with the system.

Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.

More from Tom's Guide

Lloyd Coombes
Lloyd Coombes
Contributing writer

Lloyd Coombes is a freelance tech and fitness writer. He's an expert in all things Apple as well as in computer and gaming tech, with previous works published on TechRadar, Tom's Guide, Live Science and more. You'll find him regularly testing the latest MacBook or iPhone, but he spends most of his time writing about video games as Gaming Editor for the Daily Star. He also covers board games and virtual reality, just to round out the nerdy pursuits.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.