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AMD Steam Deck CPU (OLED)

AMD Steam Deck CPU (OLED): Detailed Review of the Processor for Hybrid Devices

Codename: Van Gogh | Process Technology: 6 nm | Cores: 4 | Threads: 8 | iGPU: Radeon Navi II 8CU

Architecture and Process Technology: Balancing Power and Efficiency

The AMD Steam Deck CPU, known by its codename Van Gogh, is designed for portable devices where energy efficiency and performance in a compact form factor are critically important.

Zen 2 and RDNA 2: A Technological Symbiosis

- CPU: 4 cores and 8 threads based on the Zen 2 architecture. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with a maximum turbo frequency of up to 3.5 GHz. Although Zen 2 is not the latest generation (currently, Zen 3/Zen 4 are available), the choice is motivated by optimization for low power consumption.

- iGPU: Integrated graphics Radeon Navi II on the RDNA 2 architecture with 8 compute units (CU). This is a key advantage: RDNA 2 supports ray tracing and technologies like FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is crucial for gaming.

- Process Technology: 6 nm from TSMC. This is a modification of the 7 nm process that reduces power consumption by 5–10% without sacrificing performance.

Example: In games like Cyberpunk 2077, the iGPU achieves 30–40 FPS on medium settings with FSR 2.0 enabled, comparable to discrete GPUs of the NVIDIA MX450 level.

Power Consumption and TDP: How 15 W Makes a Difference

A TDP of 15 W represents a compromise between performance and battery life. For comparison:

- Intel Core i5-1135G7 (TDP 15 W): 4 cores, 8 threads, but the Iris Xe graphics (80 EU) are weaker than RDNA 2.

- Apple M1 (10 W): Better energy efficiency, but limited compatibility with games and Windows.

Thermal Design: The Steam Deck utilizes active cooling with a fan and heatsink. Even under full load, the temperature rarely exceeds 85°C, which is safe for a compact device.

Performance: From Office Tasks to AAA Games

Office Tasks and Multimedia

- Chrome with 20 tabs + Zoom: CPU load is 40–60%, without lags.

- 4K Video in VLC: The iGPU decodes AV1 and VP9 hardware-accelerated, reducing CPU load to 10%.

Gaming

- Light Games (CS:GO, Dota 2): 60–90 FPS on high settings.

- Heavy Titles (Elden Ring): 30–40 FPS on medium settings with FSR.

- Turbo Mode: When connected to power, the CPU/GPU frequency is temporarily boosted, providing an additional 5–10% performance. However, battery life drops to 1.5–2 hours.

Use Cases: Who is Van Gogh Suitable For?

1. Mobile Gamers: The Steam Deck OLED is an ideal platform for gaming on the go.

2. Students and Office Workers: Viewing lectures, working on documents, video calls.

3. Digital Artists: Stylus support (in some Van Gogh laptops) and performance are sufficient for Clip Studio Paint.

Limitations: Not suitable for rendering 3D models in Blender or editing 4K video — too few cores and cache (only 4 MB L3).

Battery Life: How 6 nm and 15 W Extend Battery Life

- Standard Usage (Office, Web): Up to 8–10 hours at 50% brightness.

- Gaming: 2–4 hours.

Power-saving Technologies:

- AMD PowerNow!: Dynamically adjusts frequency and voltage.

- Balanced Mode: Limits FPS in games to 30 to conserve battery.

Tip: Disable background applications like Discord — this can add 15–20 minutes of battery life.

Comparison with Competitors: Who's Leading?

1. AMD Van Gogh:

- Gaming: Best Graphics

- Multitasking: Average

- Battery Life: Good

2. Intel Core i5-1235U:

- Gaming: Average (Iris Xe)

- Multitasking: Better (10 cores)

- Battery Life: Average

3. Apple M1:

- Gaming: Weak

- Multitasking: Best

- Battery Life: Best

Conclusion: Van Gogh excels in gaming but falls short against Apple M1 in work tasks. For a versatile laptop, a Core i5 with Iris Xe is preferable.

Pros and Cons: Is It Worth Buying?

Strengths:

- Powerful RDNA 2 graphics for gaming.

- Optimized power consumption.

- Support for modern codecs (AV1, VP9).

Weaknesses:

- Only 4 cores — multi-threaded tasks can be slow.

- No PCIe 4.0 support — SSDs are slower compared to high-end laptops.

Device Selection Recommendations

1. Hybrid Laptops-Tablets: For example, ASUS ROG Flow Z13 with a 120 Hz display.

2. Ultrabooks: Models weighing up to 1.3 kg with an IPS display and a 50 Wh battery.

3. Portable Gaming Systems: The Steam Deck OLED itself or Windows-based alternatives.

What to watch for:

- Cooling: A dual-fan system handles heat better.

- Battery: At least 40 Wh for 5–6 hours of operation.

Final Conclusion: The Perfect Choice for Mobile Gamers

The AMD Steam Deck CPU (Van Gogh) is a specialized processor for those who value portability and gaming capabilities. It won't replace a desktop PC but will be an excellent companion for travel. Key advantages include:

- The ability to play modern AAA titles.

- Sufficient performance for everyday tasks.

- Optimal price-to-battery life ratio.

Who It’s for:

- Gamers who travel frequently.

- Students needing a compact device for study and entertainment.

- Users looking for 2-in-1 devices with a focus on graphics.

If you are looking for a "jack of all trades" for work and gaming — Van Gogh isn't perfect. But as a niche solution for mobile gaming, it is unmatched.

Basic

Label Name

AMD

Platform

Mobile

Launch Date

November 2023

Model Name

The Intel processor number is just one of several factors - along with processor brand, system configurations, and system-level benchmarks - to be considered when choosing the right processor for your computing needs.

Steam Deck CPU (OLED)

Code Name

Van Gogh

CPU Specifications

Total Cores

Cores is a hardware term that describes the number of independent central processing units in a single computing component (die or chip).

Total Threads

Where applicable, Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology is only available on Performance-cores.

Basic Frequency

2.4 GHz

Max Turbo Frequency

Max Turbo Frequency is the maximum single-core frequency at which the processor is capable of operating using Intel® Turbo Boost Technology and, if present, Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 and Intel® Thermal Velocity Boost. Frequency is typically measured in gigahertz (GHz), or billion cycles per second.

up to 3.5 GHz

L1 Cache

64 KB (per core)

L2 Cache

512 KB (per core)

L3 Cache

4 MB (shared)

CPU Socket

The socket is the component that provides the mechanical and electrical connections between the processor and motherboard.

AMD BGA ST1

Technology

Lithography refers to the semiconductor technology used to manufacture an integrated circuit, and is reported in nanometer (nm), indicative of the size of features built on the semiconductor.

6 nm

TDP

15 W

Max. Operating Temperature

Junction Temperature is the maximum temperature allowed at the processor die.

105°C

PCI Express Version

PCI Express Revision is the supported version of the PCI Express standard. Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (or PCIe) is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard for attaching hardware devices to a computer. The different PCI Express versions support different data rates.

Gen 3, 8 Lanes (CPU only)

Memory Specifications

Memory Type

Intel® processors come in four different types: Single Channel, Dual Channel, Triple Channel, and Flex Mode. Maximum supported memory speed may be lower when populating multiple DIMMs per channel on products that support multiple memory channels.

DDR5

Memory Channels

The number of memory channels refers to the bandwidth operation for real world application.

Dual-channel

GPU Specifications

Integrated Graphics Model

An integrated GPU refers to the graphics core that is integrated into the CPU processor. Leveraging the processor's powerful computational capabilities and intelligent power efficiency management, it delivers outstanding graphics performance and a smooth application experience at a lower power consumption.

Radeon Navi II 8CU