ASUS has announced the launch of its new ROG Ally portable console, a cheaper version of its flagship model. This new version uses the AMD Ryzen Z1 APU, which offers a 6-core and 12-thread CPU running at 5.00 GHz under the Zen 4 architecture. However, the loss of performance is mainly noticeable in the graphics section, since it only has 4 computing units and 256 stream processors running at 2,700 MHz under the AMD RDNA 3 architecture.
In comparison, the most powerful model uses the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU, with an 8-core, 16-thread CPU at 5.10 GHz and a GPU with 768 stream processors at 2,800 MHz, providing superior performance. Therefore, it is important to consider the intended use of the console before choosing the Ryzen Z1 or Ryzen Z1 Extreme version.
In terms of performance, the ROG Ally with the AMD Ryzen Z1 APU shows unremarkable results in the 3DMark benchmarks. In games like Metro Exodus, Cyberpunk 2077 and Forza Horizon, it achieves relatively low FPS values at different resolutions and graphics qualities.
The ROG Ally can have difficulty running modern, demanding games, so it’s important to consider its use before purchasing. However, for less demanding games or emulation, it’s still a good option. Although the price may be a deciding factor as it has a 1080p 120Hz screen that cannot be fully utilized.
As for the specs, the ROG Ally includes 16GB of 6,400MHz LPDDR5 RAM and a 512GB SSD in NVMe PCIe 4.0 M.2 format. Currently, this console is only available in the US at a price of $599.
In summary, the ASUS ROG Ally with AMD Ryzen Z1 APU offers moderate performance but may have limitations when running demanding games. Price may be a factor to consider as there are cheaper options on the market. Additionally, competitors like Valve’s Steam Deck offer similar features at a cheaper price.
