The ASUS ROG Ally handheld has recently been introduced as an excellent device for game emulation, thanks to its powerful AMD Ryzen Z1 APUs with AVX-512 support. Priced at just $599 US for the base Ryzen Z1 variant and $699 US for the Ryzen Z1 Extreme variant, this handheld offers exceptional performance when it comes to emulating various games.
One of the standout features of the ASUS ROG Ally is its support for AVX-512 instructions, which greatly enhances performance across popular emulators like RPCS3. Notable tech reviewers such as The Phawx and ETA Prime have already showcased the emulation capabilities of AMD’s Phoenix APUs, with ETA Prime being the first to provide detailed emulation benchmarks on the ASUS ROG Ally handheld.
For instance, when using the Dolphin Emulator, gamers can enjoy a consistent 60 FPS at 1080p resolution across all titles by utilizing the 9W TDP mode in the ASUS ROG Ally.
Similarly, the PS2/PCSX2 emulator runs smoothly at 1080p (15W mode), allowing players to enjoy multiple games at a steady 60 FPS. The PSP emulator also delivers impressive performance, enabling gamers to run compatible titles like God of War Chains of Olympus at 1080p and 60 FPS while using a 7W TDP, thereby maximizing battery life during gameplay.
Previously, running the 3DS Citra Emulator on AMD APUs presented challenges due to its reliance on an OpenGL back-end. However, thanks to updated AMD drivers and OpenGL-specific optimizations, users can now achieve either 1080p/60 FPS at 13W or play games at the native resolution of the 3DS with just 7W power consumption.
Moving on to the Xbox 360 Emulator, ETA Prime demonstrated Red Dead Redemption running at a native 30 FPS with a power consumption of 30W, and an average of 53 FPS with V-Sync disabled in the 45W TDP mode. The Yuzu emulator also provides a stable 30 FPS at the 15W mode across various titles.
Among the titles tested, God of War 3 on the RPCS3 emulator proved to be one of the most demanding games. While it typically runs at only 15-25 FPS on the Steam Deck at 720p resolution, the ASUS ROG Ally handheld effortlessly achieves an outstanding 60 FPS at 1080p resolution when utilizing the 30W mode.
In summary, the ASUS ROG Ally handheld delivers an exceptional emulation experience, offering impressive performance across a wide range of emulators and games. With its powerful AMD Ryzen Z1 APUs and support for AVX-512 instructions, it has quickly become a highly sought-after choice for gamers looking to enjoy smooth and immersive gameplay on the go.
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