Intel’s Meteor Lake-Powered MSI Claw Handheld Reportedly Outpaces Ryzen-Based ROG Ally in Certain Games

CES Las Vegas

MSI's new handheld console, the Claw, powered by Intel's Meteor Lake SoC, outperforms its competitor, the Ryzen-based ROG Ally, in select games, but there are important factors to consider such as power draw and support for frame-generation technology.

MSI's Claw handheld console outperforms the Ryzen-based ROG Ally in select games, showcasing the potential of Intel's Meteor Lake SoC.
The Arc GPU in the MSI Claw is marginally faster than the Radeon 780M found in the ROG Ally, winning three out of four cherry-picked titles used for benchmarking.
AMD's support for Fluid Motion Frames provides a performance boost for Radeon iGPUs, which is particularly relevant for handhelds.

Intel’s Meteor Lake-Powered MSI Claw Handheld Outperforms Ryzen-Based ROG Ally in Select Games

MSI has launched its latest handheld console, the Claw, at CES 2024, and early benchmarks suggest that it packs a punch. Powered by Intel’s Meteor Lake SoC, this device seems to outpace its competitor, the Ryzen-powered ROG Ally, in certain games. However, there are a few important factors to consider before drawing any conclusions.

One of the key differences between the two devices lies in their power configurations. The Intel SoC in the MSI Claw is set at a TDP of 30W, while the Ryzen Z1 extreme in the ROG Ally runs at 25W. This means that the Claw draws more power, which can have implications for battery life and potential throttling, especially in small form factor (SFF) devices.

In terms of graphics performance, the Arc GPU in the MSI Claw proves to be marginally faster than the Radeon 780M found in the ROG Ally. In fact, it wins three out of the four Cherry-picked titles used for benchmarking. However, it’s important to note that these benchmarks only provide a limited view of overall performance.

When considering handheld gaming workloads, the role of E-Cores remains uncertain. Many handhelds are primarily used for older DirectX 9 and DirectX 11 titles, where the Ryzen Z1 with its 780M iGPU tends to outperform Intel’s Arc Xe-LPG used in Meteor Lake. AMD has recently announced support for Fluid Motion Frames, a driver-level Frame Generation technology that doubles the performance of all Radeon iGPUs with minimal effort. This is particularly relevant for handhelds, as their higher pixel density can mask any upscaling-related artifacts.

On the other hand, Intel’s XeSS upscaler is currently supported in only a few games, and there is no frame-generation technology available at the moment. This could potentially impact the gaming experience on the MSI Claw.

It is worth noting that MSI’s decision to opt for the Meteor Lake SoCs instead of the Ryzen Z1 may have been influenced by a particularly attractive deal. However, it remains to be seen how this choice will ultimately affect the overall performance and user experience of the Claw.

In conclusion, while the early benchmarks suggest that the MSI Claw handheld powered by Intel’s Meteor Lake SoC outpaces the Ryzen-based ROG Ally in certain games, there are several factors to consider. The Claw’s higher power draw may impact battery life and throttling, and the Ryzen Z1 with its 780M iGPU still holds an advantage in legacy DirectX titles. Additionally, AMD’s support for Fluid Motion Frames provides a performance boost for Radeon iGPUs. As the handheld gaming market continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how these devices fare in real-world scenarios.

Source: Dave2D (Via: HXL)

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Background Information

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 expertise, 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 technology continues to shape the client computing landscape, providing users with powerful tools to fuel their digital endeavors.

About Cherry: Cherry AG is a German manufacturer of input devices, including keyboards, mice, and trackballs. The company was founded by Walter Lorain Cherry in 1953 in the basement of a restaurant in Highland Park, Illinois, USA. In 1979, the company's headquarters were moved to Auerbach in der Oberpfalz, West Germany. Cherry is known for its high-quality mechanical keyboard switches, which are used by many popular keyboard manufacturers, including Corsair, Razer, and Logitech. Cherry switches are known for their durability, consistency, and tactile feedback. In 2019, Cherry acquired Xtrfy, a Swedish manufacturer of gaming mice and keyboards. Xtrfy was founded in 2013 and is known for its lightweight and ergonomic mice. The acquisition of Xtrfy allowed Cherry to expand its product portfolio and enter the growing gaming market.

About Intel: Intel Corporation, a global technology leader, is for its semiconductor innovations that power computing and communication devices worldwide. As a pioneer in microprocessor technology, Intel has left an indelible mark on the evolution of computing with its processors that drive everything from PCs to data centers and beyond. With a history of advancements, Intel's relentless pursuit of innovation continues to shape the digital landscape, offering solutions that empower businesses and individuals to achieve new levels of productivity and connectivity.

About MSI: MSI (Micro-Star International) is a globally recognized company that specializes in the development and manufacturing of a wide range of computer products. With a rich history dating back to its establishment in 1986, MSI has emerged as a key player in the technology industry, consistently delivering innovative solutions that cater to the needs of both casual users and hardcore enthusiasts. The company's product portfolio encompasses a diverse array of products, including motherboards, graphics cards, laptops, desktops, monitors, and various gaming peripherals. MSI's commitment to quality and performance is evident in its dedication to technologies, sleek designs, and rigorous testing standards. for its gaming-focused products under the MSI Gaming brand, the company has earned a reputation for delivering high-performance components that enhance the gaming experience.

Event Info

About CES: CES, the Consumer Electronics Show, is an annual event held in Las Vegas, Nevada, organized by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA). With a history dating back to 1967, it has become the world's premier platform for unveiling and exploring the latest innovations in consumer electronics and technology. Drawing exhibitors ranging from industry titans to startups across diverse sectors, including automotive, health and wellness, robotics, gaming, and artificial intelligence, CES transforms Las Vegas into a global tech hub, offering a glimpse into the future of technology through a wide array of showcases, from startup-focused Eureka Park to cutting-edge automotive and health tech exhibitions.

Technology Explained

DirectX 11: DirectX 11 is a set of application programming interfaces (APIs) developed by Microsoft for use in Windows-based computers. It is used to create high-performance graphics and multimedia applications. DirectX 11 is the latest version of the DirectX API and is used in the latest versions of Windows operating systems. It is used to create 3D graphics, audio, and video applications for gaming, multimedia, and other applications. DirectX 11 provides improved performance, better image quality, and more efficient memory usage. It also supports the latest hardware features such as tessellation, multi-threading, and compute shaders. DirectX 11 is used in a variety of computer applications, including gaming, multimedia, and scientific applications.

E-Cores: E-Cores (Efficiency Cores) are a type of technology used in the computer industry to provide a more efficient and reliable way of powering and cooling computer components. They are made up of a combination of copper and aluminum, and are designed to be more efficient than traditional copper cores. E-Cores are used in a variety of applications, such as in CPUs, GPUs, and other computer components. They are also used in servers, laptops, and other electronic devices. The technology is designed to reduce heat and power consumption, while also providing a more reliable and efficient way of powering and cooling computer components.

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.

iGPU: An integrated Graphics Processing Unit (iGPU) is a component built into a computer's central processing unit (CPU) or system-on-chip (SoC) that handles graphical tasks. Unlike dedicated graphics cards, which are separate components, an iGPU shares system resources with the CPU, allowing for basic graphics capabilities without the need for an additional card. While typically less powerful than dedicated GPUs, iGPUs are energy-efficient and well-suited for everyday computing tasks

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.

SoC: A System-on-Chip (SoC) is a highly integrated semiconductor device that encapsulates various electronic components, including processors, memory, input/output interfaces, and often specialized hardware components, all on a single chip. SoCs are designed to provide a complete computing system or subsystem within a single chip package, offering enhanced performance, power efficiency, and compactness. They are commonly used in a wide range of devices, from smartphones and tablets to embedded systems and IoT devices, streamlining hardware complexity and facilitating efficient integration of multiple functions onto a single chip.

XeSS: XeSS (XML-enabled Scripting System) is a powerful scripting language developed by Microsoft that enables developers to create dynamic web applications. It is based on the XML language and is designed to be easy to use and understand. XeSS is used in the computer industry to create dynamic web applications that can be used to create interactive websites, web services, and web applications. XeSS is also used to create web-based applications that can be used to access and manipulate data stored in databases. XeSS is a powerful tool for developers to create dynamic web applications that can be used to create interactive websites, web services, and web applications.