Recent benchmark results have emerged for the AMD Ryzen Z1 processor, shedding light on its performance metrics. This analysis is especially pertinent given the imminent deployment of this processor in handheld devices by the end of the year.

The Ryzen Z1 and its counterpart, the Z1 Extreme, were unveiled in May as part of the Ryzen 7040 mobile CPU series. The series is characterized by Zen 4 CPU cores and RDNA3 integrated graphics processors. The Z1 Extreme possesses 8 cores, 16 threads, a maximum boost clock of 5.1 GHz, and 12 RDNA 3 Compute Units (CUs). In comparison, the Ryzen Z1 is equipped with 6 cores, 12 threads, a 4.9 GHz boost clock, and 4 RDNA3 CUs. Both processors have a configurable TDP range from 9W to 30W. A detailed examination by David Huang on Zhulanlan demonstrated the Z1's proficiency, particularly in low-TDP gaming scenarios. The Z1, at a 15W power rating, showcased effective efficiency, outperforming the Ryzen 7 7840U that operates at 25W.

In a summary of specifications:

• AMD Ryzen 7 7840U:
  • Architecture: AMD XDNA: Yes
  • Cores/Threads: 8/16
  • Base Clock: 3.3 GHz
  • Boost Clock (up to): 5.1 GHz
  • Cache: 24MB
  • TDP: 15-30W
  • RDNA 3 Compute Units: 12 (Radeon 780M)
• AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme:
  • Architecture: AMD XDNA: No
  • Cores/Threads: 8/16
  • Cache: 24MB
  • TDP: 9-30W
  • RDNA 3 Compute Units: 12
• AMD Ryzen 5 7540U:
  • Architecture: AMD XDNA: No
  • Cores/Threads: 6/12
  • Base Clock: 3.2 GHz
  • Cache: 22MB
  • TDP: 15-30W
  • RDNA 3 Compute Units: 4
• AMD Ryzen Z1:
  • Architecture: AMD XDNA: No
  • Cores/Threads: 6/12
  • Base Clock: 4.9 GHz
  • Cache: 22MB
  • TDP: 9-30W
  • RDNA 3 Compute Units: 4

Huang benchmarked the Z1 across various games, comparing its results to the Ryzen 7 7840U, which holds similarities to the Z1 Extreme. The direct comparison with the Z1 Extreme was unavailable, so the 7840U acted as a reference point. In his benchmarks with titles such as Cyberpunk 2077 and Forza Horizon, the Z1 rendered playable results at 720p resolution. Its performance was within 20-50% of the Ryzen 7 7840U, when the latter ran at 25W under a 30W limit.

When the Z1's power consumption was dialed down to 15W, it registered only a 15-18% drop in performance. This efficiency is exemplified by its ability to maintain playability in several games, even with its reduced power draw. The only exception was Metro Exodus, where the Z1 slightly underperformed at 720p with standard settings. This performance hiccup can be rectified with setting adjustments.

AMD Ryzen Z1 Processor Performance Analysis and Specifications