Ryzen Z2 Extreme vs. Core Ultra 7 258V: Gaming Performance Nearly Identical in MSI Claw Handhelds

Chinese tech reviewer Golden Pig Upgrade published a detailed comparison of the two flagship MSI Claw handhelds, each equipped with a different processor. The benchmark results turned out to be unexpectedly close. The tested models were the MSI Claw A8 (AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme: 3x Zen5 + 5x Zen5c cores, Radeon 890M graphics) and the MSI Claw 8 AI+ (Intel Core Ultra 7 258V: 4x Lion Cove + 4x Skymont cores, Xe2-LPG graphics). The reviewer checked performance across 10 games at Full HD (1080p) resolution using two power modes: 17W and 30W.

At the 17W setting, the Ryzen Z2 Extreme model delivered slightly higher average FPS in most titles. The sole exception was Hitman 3, where the Intel system pulled ahead by a mere 0.1 FPS. The AMD system also more frequently posted better minimum FPS figures (except in Mount & Blade 2 and F1 24).

Bumping the power up to 30W shifted things slightly. The Intel Core Ultra 7 258V system came out faster in 5 out of the 10 games tested. However, its lead was consistently slim. Overall, the performance difference between the two handhelds remained minimal. Notably, despite AMD's platform utilizing power-efficient Zen5c cores, the Intel Lunar Lake chip demonstrated comparable efficiency in these tests, approaching the levels seen in the Steam Deck.

Golden Pig Upgrade's review confirms that choosing between the Ryzen Z2 Extreme and Core Ultra 7 258V versions of the MSI Claw will likely come down to the availability of a specific model rather than any significant speed advantage. Both systems deliver a very similar gaming experience whether running at standard or boosted power. It's worth noting that the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme variant is currently harder to find in retail than the Intel-based model.