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AMD Steam Deck CPU (LCD)

AMD Steam Deck CPU (LCD)

AMD Steam Deck CPU (LCD) — Analysis of a Mobile Processor for Gaming and Beyond

March 2025

Introduction

The AMD Steam Deck CPU (codename Van Gogh) was originally designed for the portable Steam Deck console, but its balance of performance and energy efficiency has caught the attention of laptop manufacturers. In 2025, it can be found in compact ultrabooks and hybrid devices priced between $600 and $800. Let's explore who this chip is suitable for and what makes it unique.

1. Architecture and Process Technology: Zen 2 and RDNA 2 in a Compact Form Factor

Cores and Threads:

- 4 cores, 8 threads based on the Zen 2 architecture.

- Base frequency: 2.4 GHz, maximum in turbo mode — 3.5 GHz.

Graphics:

- Integrated GPU Radeon Navi II with 8 compute units (CU) based on RDNA 2 architecture.

- Graphics frequency: 1.6 GHz.

Process Technology:

- 7nm TSMC technology ensures low thermal output and high transistor density.

Features:

- 4 MB L3 cache — less than the Ryzen 5000 series, but sufficient for mobile tasks.

- Support for DDR5/LPDDR5 (up to 5500 MHz) and PCIe 3.0.

2. TDP 15W: Energy Efficiency as a Priority

- TDP 15W allows for passive or compact active cooling solutions.

- Optimization Technologies:

- Precision Boost 2 — automatic overclocking based on load and temperature.

- Smart Shift — dynamic power distribution between CPU and GPU.

Thermal Management:

- Even under peak load, the temperature does not exceed 85°C in laptops with quality cooling systems.

3. Performance: From Office Tasks to AAA Gaming

Office and Multimedia:

- Running 20+ tabs in Chrome + streaming 4K video — no lag.

- Rendering 1080p video in Premiere Pro: 15–20 minutes for a 10-minute clip.

Gaming:

- Cyberpunk 2077: 720p/30 FPS (medium settings), Elden Ring: 800p/40 FPS.

- Indie games (Hades, Stardew Valley) — stable 60 FPS at 1080p.

Turbo Mode:

- When connected to power, CPU/GPU frequency increases by 10–15%, but battery life drops to 1.5–2 hours.

4. Use Cases: Who is Van Gogh Designed For?

- On-the-go Gamers: Ideal for portable devices with screen sizes up to 14".

- Students and Office Workers: Lightweight laptops with 8+ hours of battery life.

- Digital Artists: Support for stylus input and output to an external monitor via USB-C.

Examples of Devices:

- ASUS ROG Flow X13 Lite ($699): 13.4", 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD.

- Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 14 ($749): 120 Hz display, Wi-Fi 6E.

5. Battery Life: How Long Does the Laptop Last?

- Web Browsing: Up to 10 hours at 150 nits brightness.

- Video (YouTube): 8–9 hours.

- Gaming: 2–3 hours.

Energy-Saving Technologies:

- AMD PowerNow! — adaptive core switching.

- Hybrid GPU Mode: Disables discrete graphics during simple tasks (in models with additional dGPU).

6. Comparison with Competitors

AMD Ryzen 5 7520U (Zen 3, 6nm):

- +15% performance in multi-threaded tasks, but TDP is 28W.

Intel Core Ultra 5 120U (Meteor Lake):

- Better AI acceleration, but iGPU is weaker: only 48 EU Xe versus 8 CU RDNA 2.

Apple M2:

- Leader in battery life (up to 18 hours), but gaming is limited to macOS and lacks DirectX.

7. Pros and Cons

Strengths:

- Powerful integrated graphics for its TDP.

- Affordable device pricing ($600–800).

- Compact design and quiet operation.

Weaknesses:

- 4 cores are insufficient for 4K rendering or streaming.

- Limited support for PCIe 4.0.

8. Laptop Selection Recommendations

Types of Devices:

- Ultrabooks: ASUS ZenBook 14X, HP Envy 13.

- Portable Gaming: Acer Swift X, MSI Stealth 14.

What to Look For:

- Cooling: 2 fans + heat pipes.

- Display: IPS with Anti-Glare coating, 1080p/120 Hz.

- Memory: Minimum 16 GB LPDDR5.

9. Final Summary

The AMD Steam Deck CPU (Van Gogh) is an ideal choice for:

- Mobile gamers who value a balance between price and performance.

- Users looking for a lightweight laptop with long battery life.

Key Benefits:

- Affordable pricing.

- Ability to play modern titles without a discrete graphics card.

- Versatility for work and entertainment.

If you're in the market for a compact laptop priced between $600 and $800 that can handle both office tasks and gaming, Van Gogh is worth considering. However, for demanding tasks (4K editing, 3D modeling), it’s better to choose processors with 6+ cores and TDPs of 28W or higher.

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Basic

Label Name
AMD
Platform
Mobile
Launch Date
February 2022
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 (LCD)
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).
4
Total Threads
?
Where applicable, Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology is only available on Performance-cores.
8
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.
7 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