MSI’s new portable gaming console, the Claw A8 Ryzen Edition, has launched its testing in China. Powered by AMD’s Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor, specifically developed for mobile gaming devices, the device was compared to Intel’s Lunar Lake-based Core Ultra 7 258V chip in performance comparisons. The test results revealed the two processors’ strengths in various scenarios.

MSI Claw A8 Performance Test

The Ryzen Z2 Extreme is positioned as a stripped-down version of AMD’s desktop-class HX 370 processor, optimized for mobile platforms. Featuring a hybrid architecture consisting of three Zen 5 and five Zen 5C cores, the APU comes with an 8-WGP integrated graphics unit with RDNA 3.5 architecture.

With these hardware components, the device achieved a score of 8800 for the CPU and 3600 for the GPU in the 3DMark Time Spy test under a 35W TDP. These results are quite close to the HX 370 in the desktop segment, but a slight drop in CPU performance is noticeable.

Comparisons with the Core Ultra 7 258V in the Claw A8 AI+ model introduced last April present a more complex picture. The Ryzen Z2 Extreme gains an advantage over its rival in higher TDP ranges (e.g., 35W).

However, in low-power scenarios like 8–12W, Intel’s Lunar Lake architecture excels in efficiency. This difference becomes significant in user-focused parameters like portability and battery life.

The new processor delivered remarkable performance in various games, especially when tested in the mid-range power consumption range. Tested in resource-intensive games like Black Myth: Wukong and Ghost of Tsushima at 12–17W, the Ryzen Z2 Extreme delivered a smoother experience compared to the Z1 and Z1 Extreme processors.

While battery life has improved compared to previous generations, Intel’s 258V processor still maintains its leadership in low power consumption. In low-system-requirement games like Dead Cells, it can maintain 60 frames per second performance under 5W.