The latest OpenBenchmarking listing shows an AMD engineering sample that combines a six‑core, 12‑thread Zen 6 CPU with 24 GB of high‑speed LPDDR5 memory. The chip, identified by part number 100‑000001930‑12_Y, runs at a 2.4 GHz base clock and integrates an unnamed GPUGPU. Graphics Processing Unit — the chip that renders the game's visuals; the main driver of framerate and image quality. clocked at 2.4 GHz. While the sample was evaluated on a validation board rather than a consumer device, the hardware marks a clear step up from the current Steam Deck’s specifications.
What changed – A six‑core Zen 6 APU with 24 GB of 9,600 MT/s LPDDR5 memory has been benchmarked.
Why it matters – The added cores and faster, larger memory could raise handheld performance if used in a future Steam Deck.
Who should care – Handheld‑PC enthusiasts, developers targeting portable Linux gaming, and anyone monitoring AMD’s next‑gen APU line.
| Specification | Current Steam Deck (Zen 2) | New Engineering Sample (Zen 6) |
|---|---|---|
| CPU cores / threads | 4 / 8 (Zen 2) | 6 / 12 (Zen 6) |
| CPU clock | 2.4 GHz (boost) | 2.4 GHz (fixed) |
| Memory size / speed | 16 GB LPDDR5 @ 6,400 MT/s | 24 GB LPDDR5 @ 9,600 MT/s |
| GPU clock (reported) | 1,500 MHz (variant) | 2,400 MHz (unknown architecture) |
The sample’s microcode matches AMD Family 1Ah, model DCh, a range reserved for Zen 6 processors. Notebookcheck notes that this points to the upcoming Gainsborough family, though it remains unclear whether the CPU will use standard Zen 6 cores or the denser Zen 6C variant. The integrated GPU’s architecture and compute unit count were not disclosed; benchmark results (GiMark 3,871; FurMark 3,508; TessMark 9,319) align roughly with the original Steam Deck’s GPU performance, but those numbers stem from a development board running Ubuntu 24.04, not a finalized handheld.
Open questions
- Will the final APU retain the 2.4 GHz clock or adopt a higher boost schedule?
- Which GPU configuration (core count, memory interface) will ship in a consumer device?
- How will power‑budget and cooling constraints affect real‑world performance?
Verdict: The engineering sample demonstrates a tangible hardware bump over the existing handheld, chiefly through extra CPU threads and a larger, faster memory pool. However, without confirmation from AMD or Valve, its impact on the next‑generation Steam Deck remains speculative.
Who should care: Developers planning cross‑platform titles, power users who push handhelds beyond stock performance, and analysts tracking AMD’s APU roadmap will find the data points worth monitoring.
The next observable step will be AMD’s formal announcement of the Gainsborough family, expected in the coming months. Until then, the community should treat the sample as an early indicator rather than a definitive product specification.