In the ever-evolving world of tech, it takes something special to shake up the hierarchy. This week, AMD’s Ryzen Z2 Extreme and Intel’s Core Ultra 7 258V face-off in a gaming benchmark battle, pushing Intel’s newer Lunar Lake architecture to the forefront of the competition.
Zooming In
Let’s break down the matchup. The AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme flaunts more threads and a slightly faster core clock than Intel’s offering. One would think this gives AMD a clear path to victory, especially in gaming scenarios. However, the results are closer than anticipated. Run through tests on MSI’s Claw A8 handheld featuring the Ryzen Z2 Extreme, and the Claw 8 AI+ with Intel inside, show fascinating results.
Both devices were tested at 17W and 30W power modes on 10 different games. While the AMD-powered Claw A8 was ahead in high-performance mode in five games, it trailed or leveled in the remaining. Under low power (17W), AMD took the lead in all but one game.
Technical Tug-of-War
The Ryzen Z2’s GPU, using Radeon 890M, boosts at nearly 50% higher than Intel’s ARC 140V, contributing to its advantage. Despite having the same amount of shader units, AMD’s more efficient architecture seems better at gaming.
On paper, AMD could be your go-to. However, Intel’s clever architecture with its mix of P-cores and E-cores, coupled with its Lunar Lake influence, makes its Core Ultra 7 258V a formidable contender. It demonstrates that Intel still has tricks up its sleeve, considering its previous processor endeavors have met with mixed reviews.
What’s at Stake?
Why does this benchmark battle matter? With an 11% edge at lower power levels, AMD is seen as the go-to for high performance in compact gaming PCs. Yet, Intel’s ability to keep pace with its lower-clocked, efficient processors signifies a resurgence, hinting that Lunar Lake wasn’t a one-trick pony.
Competition breeds innovation and given AMD’s stride in recent years, Intel’s re-entry into contention is a win for consumers craving variety in performance and price points. With Panther Lake on the horizon, Intel might have more strategies up its sleeve. For now though, if you’re an owner of an MSI Claw 8 AI+, rest assured we’re not seeing a seismic performance gap just yet.
