AMD introduced its Mendocino program throughout its Computex 2022 keynote (opens in new tab). By the top of it, we have been hoping for a brand new form of funds laptop computer. A funds laptop computer that would really sport. Boasting a Zen 2 APU with 4-cores and 8-threads alongside an RDNA 2-based iGPU we could not assist however draw parallels with the chip on the coronary heart of the Steam Deck (opens in new tab). And given Mendocino is designed for machines that price between $399-$699 we have been understandably stoked concerning the potentialities.
Sadly, the newest leaks have pulled the rug out from this dream, as Mendocino apparently solely has a single Work Group Processor (WGP), which equates to only two Compute Items. Two. That is simply 128 stream processors, which is frankly garbage on the subject of gaming.
For comparability, the Steam Deck has eight CUs (512 stream processors), and whereas Valve’s handheld can nearly deal with gaming at 720p, it is hardly what you’d name a powerhouse. A pair of CUs is just not going to have the ability to minimize it on the subject of gaming, even permitting for the additional frequency {that a} drop from the 7nm manufacturing course of to 6nm will afford.
This new data comes from a leaked specs slide for Mendocino, which appears to substantiate an earlier hearsay concerning the CU rely that began with the announcement that the brand new Ayaneo Air Plus handheld (opens in new tab) console would use AMD’s Mendocino chips. The core rely is especially noteworthy right here as a result of that handheld has a 1080p display, which is clearly going to be too huge an ask for the pair of CUs.
The latest leak is of the Mendocino block diagram, unearthed by @Olrak29_ (opens in new tab) (by way of Videocardz (opens in new tab)), which does appear to line up with what AMD has formally stated concerning the low-powered APU. It is nonetheless an fascinating APU, particularly because it boasts assist for AV1 and VP9 decoding and will be paired with as much as 32GB of LPDDR5 RAM, nevertheless it simply is not the up to date Steam Deck chip we had hoped for.
AMD’s Mendocino is because of begin discovering its method into mainstream laptops earlier than the top of the 12 months.
