This new Intel Lunar Lake CPU is twice as quick as a Steam Deck, benchmark exhibits

AMD’s maintain on the gaming handheld market would possibly lastly be beneath risk. A brand new benchmark exhibits Intel Lunar Lake CPUs stomping over the competitors with big efficiency boosts in comparison with the AMD chips utilized in units just like the Steam Deck. It’s only one check to this point, but when it’s replicated, then it factors to next-gen handhelds changing into far more highly effective.

Intel has been struggling in opposition to the tide of AMD wins for a while relating to gaming PC efficiency, however a wedge into handhelds may assist enhance the corporate after an extended yr of setbacks. There isn’t a single Intel chip powering any of the very best handheld gaming PCs presently in the marketplace, but when this leak is something to go by, that might be about to alter.

This information comes from Geekerwan, a Chinese language {hardware} tester. In his Bilibili video, he assessments a Lenovo Yoga laptop computer containing an Intel Core Extremely 7 258V CPU in opposition to a variety of frequent handhelds just like the Steam Deck and Asus ROG Ally. Each the Steam Deck and ROG Ally run customized AMD chips which have, till now, proved unimaginable for Intel to beat.

It isn’t a totally honest battle, although. The Intel Lunar Lake CPU that he assessments is drawing round 12W whereas it runs in a restricted energy mode, whereas each the hand held APUs are drawing round 8-9W beneath use. To make the comparability somewhat fairer to the handhelds throughout the benchmarks, the Lenovo Yoga ran with a 720p decision.

Whereas the Intel CPU did have extra equipped energy than the handhelds, it’s nonetheless an fascinating end result. In Geekerwan’s testing, the Lunar Lake CPU confirmed a 35% enchancment over the APU used within the Steam Deck. It was even higher in opposition to Asus, with the Core Extremely 7 258V CPU hitting efficiency that was over two instances as quick because the AMD Z1 Excessive APU that the unique ROG Ally makes use of.

In a real-world efficiency check utilizing Cyberpunk 2077, the Core Extremely 7 258V was in a position to hit 28 frames per second, however so as to add salt to the wound, it used AMD’s personal FSR know-how, which helps Intel’s built-in graphics, to assist it get there. In distinction, the Steam Deck solely hit 13fps, whereas the ROG Ally managed simply 11fps.

That is all nice information for Intel, giving it some hope that its newer, extra energy consumption-friendly Intel Core Extremely 200V CPUs will discover their approach into gaming handhelds within the close to future. With the power to supply gaming efficiency like this with lowered energy consumption, the subsequent Steam Deck would possibly simply run with an Intel Lunar Lake CPU like this one.

Whereas it’s nonetheless a way off simply but, you’ll be able to try our Steam Deck 2 information for the newest rumors on when you’ll be able to anticipate Valve’s next-gen handheld to be launched.