ASUS Unveils ROG Ally Z1 and ROG Ally Z1 Extreme: A Closer Look at the Distinctions

Earlier this year, ASUS unveiled the ROG Ally, a groundbreaking Windows gaming handheld that revolutionized portable gaming. Packed with a vibrant 1080p 120 Hz display, ergonomic design, and the powerful AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU, the ROG Ally quickly established itself as a force to be reckoned with in the handheld gaming market. And now, we’re thrilled to announce that the Ryzen Z1 variant of the ROG Ally is finally available for purchase, offering the same incredible features at a more affordable price point.

The AMD Ryzen Z1, built on the Zen 4 architecture, delivers unparalleled performance and graphics capabilities. Equipped with the latest RDNA 3 graphics engine and complete support for AMD’s cutting-edge upscaling technologies like FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) and Radeon Super Resolution (RSR), the Ryzen Z1 is a game-changer. Boasting six cores, twelve threads, and four graphics Compute Units, this variant offers the same robust power delivery and advanced cooling enhancements as its Extreme counterpart, all at a more accessible price.

Performance Comparison: Ryzen Z1 vs. Z1 Extreme

The AMD Ryzen Z1 is a true powerhouse that can effortlessly handle even the most demanding game libraries. In our extensive testing, we were impressed by its ability to deliver 30 FPS or higher at 1080p in Turbo mode, even in resource-intensive games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Diablo IV. Many other titles surpassed the 45 or 60 FPS mark, ensuring a smooth and immersive handheld gaming experience. Ultimately, your choice between the Ryzen Z1 and Z1 Extreme will depend on your preferred games, desired framerate, quality settings, and budget.

Exciting New Features and Enhancements

The Ryzen Z1 variant of the ROG Ally comes equipped with all the exceptional features that have made this handheld a fan favorite. From the stunning 1080p 120 Hz display with FreeSync Premium Pro to the ergonomic design that offers unparalleled comfort, the ROG Ally continues to impress. Additionally, the ROG Intelligent Cooling system ensures optimal performance while maintaining a cool and quiet operation.

But that’s not all. Since its initial launch, we’ve made significant software improvements to the ROG Ally, enhancing its functionality and user experience. Some notable additions include expanded controller settings, including a calibration tool for joysticks and triggers, an anti-deadzone slider, and Hold to Repeat functionality. The Armoury Crate and Command Center now offer more useful UI elements such as battery level, Wi-Fi status, and current system time. The Command Center also features an “End Task” button for added convenience. Moreover, the game library has been improved with better manual art selection and the ability to manually add or delete games. The ROG Ally now offers wider compatibility with USB-C docks for desktop play at 30 W, giving users more flexibility. And for those who crave customization, there are additional options for the FPS limiter and Memory Assigned to GPU settings.

Furthermore, ASUS listened to user feedback and implemented several bug fixes and improvements to enhance the overall user experience. The display can now go even dimmer, making it ideal for gaming in dark environments. We’ve also updated the GPU drivers to support new games like Starfield, ensuring compatibility with the latest titles.

To further enhance your gaming experience, ASUS published a wealth of ROG Ally content. From optimized settings for new games to game recommendations and guides on playing offline, we’ve got you covered. For a comprehensive overview of the ROG Ally and its features, be sure to check out the ultimate guide.

 

Background Information

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About AMD: AMD, a large player in the semiconductor industry is known for its powerful processors and graphic solutions, AMD has consistently pushed the boundaries of performance, efficiency, and user experience. With a customer-centric approach, the company has cultivated a reputation for delivering high-performance solutions that cater to the needs of gamers, professionals, and general users. AMD's Ryzen series of processors have redefined the landscape of desktop and laptop computing, offering impressive multi-core performance and competitive pricing that has challenged the dominance of its competitors. Complementing its processor prowess, AMD's Radeon graphics cards have also earned accolades for their efficiency and exceptional graphical capabilities, making them a favored choice among gamers and content creators. The company's commitment to innovation and cutting-edge technology continues to shape the client computing landscape, providing users with powerful tools to fuel their digital endeavors.

  

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About ASUS: ASUS, founded in 1989 by Ted Hsu, M.T. Liao, Wayne Hsieh, and T.H. Tung, has become a multinational tech giant known for its diverse hardware products. Spanning laptops, motherboards, graphics cards, and more, ASUS has gained recognition for its innovation and commitment to high-performance computing solutions. The company has a significant presence in gaming technology, producing popular products that cater to enthusiasts and professionals alike. With a focus on delivering cutting-edge and reliable technology, ASUS maintains its position as a prominent player in the industry.

  

Technology Explained

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APU: An APU, or Accelerated Processing Unit, is a type of processor that combines a CPU and a GPU on a single chip. This type of processor is becoming increasingly popular in the computer industry due to its ability to provide both computing and graphics processing power in a single package. APUs are used in a variety of applications, from gaming PCs to high-end workstations. They are also used in embedded systems, such as those found in smartphones and tablets. The combination of CPU and GPU on a single chip allows for more efficient power consumption and better performance than traditional CPUs. Additionally, APUs are often used in conjunction with other components, such as RAM and storage, to create powerful and efficient systems.

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Compute Units: Compute Units (CUs) are a type of processor technology used in the computer industry. They are designed to provide high-performance computing capabilities for a variety of applications. CUs are typically used in graphics processing units (GPUs) and are responsible for the majority of the processing power in modern gaming systems. CUs are also used in other areas of the computer industry, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analysis. CUs are designed to be highly efficient and can provide significant performance gains over traditional CPUs. They are also capable of handling multiple tasks simultaneously, making them ideal for applications that require high levels of parallel processing.

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FreeSync: FreeSync is a technology developed by AMD that helps create an amazing gaming or multimedia experience by synchronizing the refresh rate of a display device with the frame rate of a graphics device. It reduces input lag, stutter, and tearing of the screen, allowing for smooth, clear visuals. The technology is now widely used in PC monitors and televisions to provide an enhanced gaming experience. FreeSync helps reduce gaming input latency, meaning gamers can have better, faster reactions, and more accurate gameplay. This technology is highly beneficial for competitive gamers and is one of the reasons why PCs can still compete with consoles. Additionally, FreeSync helps reduce eye strain, allowing users to game or watch movies more comfortably for longer periods of time.

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FSR: AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) is a type of rendering technique that looks to boost framerates in games and enable quality high-resolution gaming. It is an software upscaling technology, designed to improve the performance of games without loss of image quality and graphical detail. It works by rendering frames at a lower resolution and then using an open-source spatial upscaling algorithm to make the game look as though it's running at a higher resolution13. It is different from Nvidia's DLSS, which uses machine learning and temporal upscaling to achieve similar results. FSR is part of AMD's FidelityFX image toolkit and does not require specific training or special-purpose logic within the GPU. AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) scales across a broad spectrum of new and older products, including integrated graphics, and is optimized for AMD RDNA and AMD RDNA 2 architecture-based Radeon RX 6000 and RX 5000 Series graphics cards. FSR is also supported on select NVIDIA graphics cards.

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GPU: GPU stands for Graphics Processing Unit and is a specialized type of processor designed to handle graphics-intensive tasks. It is used in the computer industry to render images, videos, and 3D graphics. GPUs are used in gaming consoles, PCs, and mobile devices to provide a smooth and immersive gaming experience. They are also used in the medical field to create 3D models of organs and tissues, and in the automotive industry to create virtual prototypes of cars. GPUs are also used in the field of artificial intelligence to process large amounts of data and create complex models. GPUs are becoming increasingly important in the computer industry as they are able to process large amounts of data quickly and efficiently.

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Radeon: AMD Radeon, a product line by Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), consists of graphics processing units (GPUs) recognized for their strong performance in gaming, content creation, and professional applications. Powered by innovative technologies like the RDNA architecture, Radeon GPUs deliver efficient and powerful graphics processing. The brand also supports features like FreeSync, enhancing visual fluidity and reducing screen tearing during gaming. Moreover, AMD Radeon GPUs embrace real-time ray tracing for heightened realism in lighting and reflections. With a balance between price and performance, Radeon competes with NVIDIA's GeForce graphics cards and remains a popular choice for a wide range of users.

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RDNA: RDNA (Radeon DNA) is a graphics architecture developed by Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) for its Radeon series of graphics cards. It's designed to deliver improved performance, power efficiency, and advanced features for gaming and graphics-intensive applications. RDNA introduces a new compute unit design that enhances the efficiency of processing tasks, resulting in better performance per watt compared to its predecessor, GCN (Graphics Core Next). RDNA also introduces hardware-based ray tracing capabilities, allowing for more realistic lighting, shadows, and reflections in supported games. With its scalable design, RDNA architecture addresses the demands of modern gaming while aiming to provide a more immersive and visually impressive experience.

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RSR: Radeon Super Resolution (RSR) is an in-driver upscaling feature that uses the same algorithm found in our AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) technology. RSR works by upscaling lower resolutions set in-game to the native resolution of the active display, providing higher FPS performance. RSR can be configured globally so the effects will be applied to all compatible games. It can also be separately customized for individual games using AMD Software application profiles.

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USB-C: USB-C is a new type of USB connector that is quickly becoming the industry standard for connecting devices to computers. It is a reversible connector, meaning it can be plugged in either way, and it is capable of transferring data at speeds up to 10 Gbps. It is also capable of providing up to 100 watts of power, making it ideal for charging laptops and other devices. USB-C is quickly becoming the go-to connector for connecting peripherals to computers, such as external hard drives, monitors, and printers. It is also being used to connect smartphones and tablets to computers, allowing for faster data transfer and charging. USB-C is quickly becoming the industry standard for connecting devices to computers, and its applications are only expected to grow in the future.