The ROG Xbox Ally X could be weaker than we all expected — this older handheld may be more powerful

The ROG Xbox Ally X is set to launch this fall, and while we’re particularly keen to see how its streamlined Windows interface works to improve performance and usability, it might offer another glimpse at the power battle between Intel and AMD.

And, unlike our report this week which suggested AMD was sneaking ahead when it comes to performance per watt, new benchmarking results have suggested that the ROG Xbox Ally X could be less powerful than the MSI Claw 8 AI+.

Xbox handheld to be underpowered at launch?

YouTube account ETA PRIME has put the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V (in the MSI Claw 8 AI+) and both the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme (in the MSI Claw A8) and the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme ASUS ROG Ally X into a benchmarking test, and the results are particularly impressive for the MSI Claw 8 AI+.

Geekbench 6 results show the Intel-powered Claw 8 AI+ coming out on top for single and multi-core tests at 17W, with the same chip keeping pace with the Ryzen Z2 Extreme at 25W in single core tests.

(Image credit: ETAPrime)

(Image credit: ETAPrime)

(Image credit: ETAPrime)

Both devices left the Ryzen Z1 Extreme behind, but the two AMD chips did do better at 25W on multi-core scores.

When it comes to graphical analysis, 3DMark’s Time Spy GPU benchmark gives the win to Intel, but as ETA PRIME explains, ““Synthetic scores tend to favor Intel’s 140V GPU, but they don’t always translate to smoother gaming”.

Still, the chip performed at the same level of AMD’s offerings across titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Forza Horizon 5, and Black Myth: Wukong.

Outlook

So, where did all this come from? ETA PRIME has said Intel’s drivers have been improved to the point where frame rates are almost double what they were at launch. We saw this ourselves when testing the new drivers on the Claw 8 AI+.

It all begs the question — what can Microsoft do to eke out even more performance from its upcoming handheld with Asus? Or will it struggle to reach further than existing systems? We’ll have an update as soon as we’ve gone hands on with the system.

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