ROG Ally Z1 vs Z1 Extreme Performance & Features Compared

Earlier this year, we introduced the world to the ROG Ally: a Windows gaming handheld that can play all your games, anywhere you go. With its bright and colorful 1080p 120Hz screen, ergonomic form factor, and incredible AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU, the ROG Ally is a AAA monster, taking modern handhelds to a new level. Now, we’re happy to announce that the Ryzen Z1 variant of the ROG Ally is also available for purchase, with all the same features and a more affordable price tag. 

The AMD Ryzen Z1 is built on the same Zen 4 architecture as the Ryzen Z1 Extreme, with the latest RDNA 3 graphics engine and full support for AMD’s incredible upscaling technologies like FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) and Radeon Super Resolution (RSR). With six cores and twelve threads alongside four graphics compute units, the Ryzen Z1 has the same robust power delivery and ROG Intelligent Cooling improvements that make the Z1 Extreme so potent, at a more affordable price.

AMD Ryzen Z1 vs Z1 Extreme performance

The AMD Ryzen Z1 can handle even the largest game libraries, from AAA to indie and retro titles alike. In our testing, we found that even resource-intensive games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Diablo IV were capable of 30 FPS or higher at 1080p in Turbo mode, with many other games exceeding 45 or 60 FPS for a smooth handheld experience. Here’s a selection of games we tested, and how the two ROG Ally models compare: 

And if you prefer to play at 720p scaled up to 1080p using RSR, you can boost performance even further:

Ultimately, which model you choose will depend on what games you play, your desired framerate and quality settings, and your budget.  

New features added to the ROG Ally since launch

In addition to this new chip, the Ryzen Z1 variant of the ROG Ally comes with all the features you’ve come to expect from the ROG Ally, including a 1080p 120Hz display with FreeSync Premium Pro, an ergonomic design with excellent button feel, and ROG Intelligent Cooling for cool, quiet operation. 

This model will also come with all of the software improvements we’ve made to the ROG Ally since its launch back in June. This includes, but is not limited to: 

• More options to controller settings, including a calibration tool for joysticks and triggers, an anti-deadzone slider, and Hold to Repeat functionality,
• More useful UI elements to the Armoury Crate and Command Center, including a battery level, Wi-Fi status, and current system time,
• More options in the Command Center, including an “End Task” button,
• Improved game library with better manual art selection and manual addition and deletion of games,
• Wider compatibility with USB-C docks for desktop play at 30W,
• More options to the FPS limiter and Memory Assigned to GPU options, so users can further customize their performance,
• The ability for the display to go even dimmer for usability in dark environments,
• Updated GPU drivers with support for new games such as Starfield,
• ...and a host of smaller bug fixes and improvements to the user experience. 

We’ve also published more ROG Ally content to improve your gaming, including optimized settings for new games, more game recommendations, and guides like how to play your games offline. For more, check out our ultimate guide to the ROG Ally and its features. 

We’re so excited about this new era of handheld gaming, and we’re dedicated to supporting the Ally and ensuring our users have the best possible experience.