AMD recently pulled back the curtain on their latest release, the Ryzen Z2 Go APU. Naturally, this sparked curiosity about how it stacks up against the previous Ryzen Z1 series. Fortunately, the folks at Fps VN provided some clarity by sharing performance test results comparing the Lenovo Legion Go S to the Asus ROG Ally X across three different games, each tested under varying power settings.
Lenovo’s new gaming handheld, the Legion Go S, comes equipped with the Ryzen Z2 Go APU. This new chip has half the cores of the Z1 Extreme and is built with Zen 3+ architecture instead of Zen 4. It runs at a lower base clock of 3.0 GHz compared to 3.3 GHz of the Z1 Extreme, and its boost clock is lower too, at 4.3 GHz versus 5.1 GHz. So, it was interesting to see Lenovo opting for this configuration in its latest handheld edition, making us eager to see how it competes against the older but more powerful Ryzen Z1 Extreme.
Before diving into performance metrics, let’s quickly glance at the specs of the two devices. The Lenovo Legion Go S, which made its debut at CES 2025, houses an AMD Ryzen Z2 Go processor paired with 16GB LPDDR5X-6400 memory. It has a 512GB PCIe 4.0 SSD and an eight-inch, 120 Hz, 1920×1200 IPS display. Meanwhile, the Asus ROG Ally X, introduced in mid-2024, features the beefier AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor with 24GB of LPDDR5 memory, a 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD, and a smaller seven-inch, 120 Hz, 1920×1080 IPS display.
Let’s dive into the game performance results, shall we? Take a look at these numbers to see how the two match up:
- Black Myth Wukong:
- 720p Medium, 15W: Legion Go S – 36 FPS, Ally X – 40 FPS
- 1080p Low FSR, 20W: Legion Go S – 30 FPS, Ally X – 32 FPS
- 1080p Low FSR, 30W: Legion Go S – 60 FPS, Ally X – 64 FPS
- Cyberpunk 2077:
- 720p Medium, 15W: Legion Go S – 50 FPS, Ally X – 54 FPS
- 1080p Low FSR, 20W: Legion Go S – 45 FPS, Ally X – 47 FPS
- 1080p Medium FSR, 30W: Legion Go S – 61 FPS, Ally X – 66 FPS
- Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut:
- 720p Medium, 15W: Legion Go S – 62 FPS, Ally X – 66 FPS
- 1080p Medium FSR, 20W: Legion Go S – 48 FPS, Ally X – 52 FPS
- 1080p Medium FSR, 30W: Legion Go S – 62 FPS, Ally X – 66 FPS
As we can see in the results, the Z1 Extreme in the Asus ROG Ally X tends to edge out the Z2 Go in the Lenovo Legion Go S. This isn’t too surprising; the Z1 Extreme’s more robust core count, faster clock speed, and larger L3 cache, alongside a more advanced integrated GPU, contribute to this outcome.
Interestingly, while the differences appeared marginal in most cases, around four frames per second on average separated the two devices, indicating only about a 10% performance advantage for the Ryzen Z1 Extreme.
Despite initial expectations of a wider gap considering the Ally X’s additional 8GB memory and smaller screen with lower pixel density, it seems AMD and Lenovo have tuned the Ryzen Z2 Go effectively to deliver commendable performance within the constraints of handheld console design.
In terms of pricing, the Asus ROG Ally X hits the market at $799, a bit pricier than the Legion Go’s $729. While the ROG Ally X does offer superior performance, the small screen difference and more affordable price tag of the Legion Go might entice gamers, especially since most users may hardly notice the 4FPS variance in everyday gameplay.
Whether you’re after sheer power or seeking value with a larger display, both devices present their own set of appealing features, allowing gamers to choose based on their preferences and gaming needs.
