Smach Z handheld PC powered by AMD Ryzen Embedded V1000

[HEXUS]

It looks likely to employ the V1605B model with 4C/8T and a 1.1GHz GPU with 8 CUs.

Read more.

[Xlucine]

AMD are happy to run the raven ridge memory controller at 3.2 GHz around 45W, but only certified it for 2.9 GHz in desktop?

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Thats going to a powerful handheld PC.

[EvilCycle]

Annnd there is my son's Christmas 2018 sorted

[kompukare]

AMD are happy to run the raven ridge memory controller at 3.2 GHz around 45W, but only certified it for 2.9 GHz in desktop?

Well, it is always a possibility that IMC on all desktop Raven Ridge is not capable of 3200 operation, whereas the embedded chips are taken from only the best dies.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Well, it is always a possibility that IMC on all desktop Raven Ridge is not capable of 3200 operation, whereas the embedded chips are taken from only the best dies.

Is this dual channel or single channel RAM??

[lumireleon]

Please explain how vega graphics can manage such low power consumption????

[afiretruck]

Please explain how vega graphics can manage such low power consumption????

Vega 56 & 64 cards are over-volted and over-clocked past spec already (to make them more competitive for free I guess.), so they have pretty extreme power consumption compared to what they should have.

[DanceswithUnix]

Is this dual channel or single channel RAM??

To keep up with 10GbE ports, I'm guessing it will need dual channel ram.

Is this anything to do with the RR part? Those ethernet ports have rather grabbed my attention here.

[Valantar]

AMD are happy to run the raven ridge memory controller at 3.2 GHz around 45W, but only certified it for 2.9 GHz in desktop?

The more surprising thing is that they're speccing it beyond JEDEC standards. AFAIK the highest JEDEC DDR4 data rate is 2933 MT/s - which is also why Raven Ridge gets that as its "limit" without "overclocking" (i.e. applying an XMP profile). Considering that AMD is sending out 3200MT/s ram for their reviewer kits, they're not worried about 2933 being any kind of actual limitation. Most reviews I've seen that look into this get into the high 3600s or higher without issues (depending on the RAM, of course - I haven't seen anyone try those crazy 4600+MT/s kits on RR).

Have to wonder why they're using the embedded version and not the mobile Ryzen chip, though. Are there any meaningful differences between the two? Are embedded chips easier to get a hold of for smaller OEMs? Are they binned significantly better (that wouldn't make much sense for digital signage and similar use cases, at least)? Wouldn't this potentially lead to issues regarding driver compatibility and the like, or do these embedded chips use consumer-level drivers out of the box?

[Xlucine]

AFAIK there's only one RR die released so far - in V1000 embedded, ryzen mobile, and ryzen APUs

Please explain how vega graphics can manage such low power consumption????

Same way they manage in ryzen mobile, 10 CUs in 15W for the 2700U has been shipping for a while now

[Zeven]

I would love to get my hands on one of these! Nevertheless, I have been informed that the price range for a Smach Z will be between 600£ to 800£. I cannot justify buying a handheld meant purely for gaming at such a price but a laptop, although not quite as portable, is fine for me.

[mtyson]

Pre-orders have opened for 10,000 units, starting 15th March.
https://www.smachz.com/
A Smach Z will be orderable for $629 or a Smach Z Plus for $809 (10% off MSRP).
Unfortunately no shipping date.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Worried about the lack of shipping date but if they can actually deliver that would be one potentially impressive system. Having said that the RAM is a tad slow unless it's low power DDR4.

[mtyson]

The Smach guys have emailed me to say that the "Mass production of SMACH Z, the device that promises to revolutionize the world of PC gaming, is scheduled for Q1 of 2019."

I also learned that "The battery life is between 2 and 7 hours of playtime and recharges in only 45 minutes."

Gaming demo video below: