AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme APU: In what could be a major shake-up in the gaming handheld scene, MSI is rumored to be making a strategic shift from Intel to AMD for its next-generation “Claw” gaming handheld. If reports are accurate, the upcoming device could be powered by AMD’s highly anticipated Ryzen Z2 AI Extreme APU, promising a significant leap in performance over the first-generation Intel-powered MSI Claw.
MSI’s Upcoming Gaming Handheld May Abandon Intel in Favor of AMD’s Cutting-Edge Ryzen Z2 AI Extreme APU
A Bold Departure from Team Blue
MSI’s original Claw 8 AI+ handheld gained attention as one of the very first gaming devices to feature Intel’s Core Ultra chips, specifically the Core Ultra 7 155H. Despite being a notable launch for Intel’s “Lunar Lake” lineup, adoption of these chips in the handheld gaming market has been limited. Now, MSI appears ready to pivot — and potentially abandon its exclusive use of Intel CPUs in the Claw lineup.
Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme: AMD’s Answer to High-Performance Handheld Gaming
According to reliable leaker @Haze2K1 and earlier hints from @CodeCommando_, MSI is gearing up to integrate AMD’s Ryzen Z2 AI Extreme into its next Claw handheld. If this proves true, it marks a monumental switch — one that echoes the broader industry trend of AMD dominance in the handheld space.
The Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme APU is no slouch. It reportedly comes with:
- 8 cores / 16 threads
- Up to 5.0 GHz boost clock
- RDNA 3.5 iGPU with 16 compute units
- Dedicated NPU (Neural Processing Unit) for AI-accelerated tasks
Compared to Intel’s Core Ultra 7 258V, the Ryzen Z2 AI Extreme is expected to deliver better gaming performance, especially in GPU-heavy titles — a crucial metric for handhelds competing in today’s demanding market.
Why the Shift Makes Sense
The move to AMD isn’t surprising. Handheld gaming devices thrive on efficiency and GPU performance — two areas where AMD has been leading the charge. As more manufacturers like ASUS and Lenovo embrace AMD’s Ryzen Z-series APUs, MSI’s rumored transition looks like a calculated move to stay competitive.
Also, AMD’s recent focus on AI integration with its NPUs makes the Ryzen Z2 AI Extreme not just powerful, but future-proof. AI-enhanced features like intelligent power management, performance scaling, and machine learning-driven optimizations are becoming increasingly vital in portable devices.
What’s Next for MSI?
While MSI hasn’t made any official announcements yet, the writing seems to be on the wall. The exclusivity with Intel may be ending, and we could soon see the Claw lineup rebooted with AMD’s firepower under the hood. It’s unclear if MSI will offer configurations with both Intel and AMD chips, but given industry trends and manufacturing agreements, a full switch to AMD seems more likely.
As the handheld gaming market continues to heat up, MSI’s next move could reshape how gamers perceive performance on the go. If AMD’s Ryzen Z2 AI Extreme lives up to expectations, the next-gen Claw could be one of 2025’s standout handhelds.
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