The video discusses AMD’s rumored Z2 Extreme AI NPU, which could enable AI-driven gaming features like ML-based frame generation and super-resolution on handheld devices, potentially enhancing visual performance and efficiency. While many applications remain speculative, the integration of advanced APUs and AI hardware hints at future innovations in handheld gaming, with improvements in performance and new AI-powered capabilities on the horizon.
The discussion begins with speculation about AMD’s rumored Z2 Extreme AI NPU, which is believed to be a dedicated AI chip for gaming handheld devices. Currently, AI functionalities in gaming APUs are typically external to the GPUs, acting as separate processing units. The primary question posed is what practical uses such an AI chip could have in gaming, as there are limited obvious applications at this stage. The participants acknowledge that, at the moment, the main AI feature being considered is AutoSR, a super-resolution technology, with little else confirmed or widely discussed.
One potential application for the Z2 Extreme AI NPU is frame generation, such as AMD’s Frame Gen technology. There’s speculation that an ML-driven version of frame generation could be implemented on low-powered handheld devices, which would help improve visual performance without demanding excessive resources. The idea is that machine learning-based frame interpolation could enhance gaming visuals, although with some trade-offs in quality and performance. This could be especially relevant for handhelds where power efficiency and performance balance are critical.
The conversation then shifts to rumors about the Z2 line of APUs, which seem to be an amalgamation of various AMD gaming handheld processors. There’s mention of a possible new version of the Steam Deck, codenamed Eth Plus, which might feature these new APUs with higher power limits, potentially up to 20W TDP. The Z2 series appears to be a somewhat patchwork collection of previous gaming APUs, but with improvements such as the Z2 Go, which is notably faster than earlier models like the Ryzen Z1. This suggests a focus on incremental performance gains for handheld gaming devices.
The participants express optimism about the Z2 Go and similar models providing a solid baseline performance for handheld gaming, comparable to or slightly better than the Steam Deck. They note that while gains beyond this baseline tend to be marginal at similar power levels, the inclusion of an AI NPU like the Z2 Extreme could open new possibilities. If supported by platforms like Microsoft, this AI hardware might enable innovative features, although concrete applications remain speculative at this point.
Finally, there’s discussion about the enhancements in the Eth Plus version of the Z2 line, which reportedly offers increased full power and faster memory support. These improvements could translate into a meaningful performance uplift, making the hardware more capable for demanding gaming tasks. Overall, while many of these developments are still in the rumor stage, the combination of higher performance APUs and dedicated AI NPUs hints at a future where handheld gaming devices could incorporate more advanced AI-driven features, but concrete implementations and benefits are yet to be seen.