AMD Ryzen Z1 GPU vs AMD Steam Machine GPU Comparison

AMD Ryzen Z1 GPU and AMD Steam Machine GPU are both RDNA 3.0 parts, but they target different segments of the console market. The Ryzen Z1 GPU is a 4 nm Phoenix chip with 16 GB of LPDDR5 memory, while the Steam Machine GPU uses a 6 nm Navi 33 die with 8 GB of GDDR6. Both are listed as Active in production, and both sit at the 50th percentile among all GPUs in the database, though neither has recorded benchmark scores or nearest rivals in the current dataset. The analysis below relies strictly on the recorded specifications, as no head-to-head benchmark data is available.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no head-to-head benchmark results between the AMD Ryzen Z1 GPU and the AMD Steam Machine GPU. Both parts have an average benchmark score of 0, and the winsA and winsB counters are both set to 0, meaning there are no recorded victories for either side in any tested workload. This absence of data does not reflect performance equivalence; rather, it indicates that neither GPU has been subjected to the standardized test suite used by the database. Without measured frame rates, compute scores, or synthetic workloads, any direct numerical comparison is impossible.

What can be compared is the theoretical throughput derived from the clock and shader specifications. The Steam Machine GPU delivers 17.56 TFLOPS of FP32 compute, while the Ryzen Z1 GPU delivers 2.560 TFLOPS. That is a 6.86x difference in raw floating-point throughput, strongly favoring the Steam Machine GPU in any compute-bound scenario. The Steam Machine GPU also leads in pixel and texture rates: 156.8 GPixel/s versus 20.00 GPixel/s, and 274.4 GTexel/s versus 40.00 GTexel/s. These are the largest gaps in the specification sheet, and they point to a substantial advantage in fill-rate-bound workloads.

Clock speeds tell a narrower story. The Steam Machine GPU has a base clock of 1720 MHz and a boost of 2450 MHz, with a game clock of 2250 MHz. The Ryzen Z1 GPU has a base of 1500 MHz and a boost of 2500 MHz. The boost clocks are close, with the Ryzen Z1 GPU only 50 MHz higher, but the Steam Machine GPU runs higher at base and game frequencies, which may translate to better sustained performance under load. Memory bandwidth is another decisive split: the Steam Machine GPU offers 288.0 GB/s over a 128-bit bus with GDDR6 at 18 Gbps effective, while the Ryzen Z1 GPU provides 51.20 GB/s over a 64-bit bus with LPDDR5 at 6.4 Gbps effective. That is a 5.63x difference in bandwidth, which will matter in texture-heavy and high-resolution scenarios.

The Steam Machine GPU also has far more execution resources. It packs 1792 shading units, 112 TMUs, 64 ROPs, and 28 RT cores. The Ryzen Z1 GPU has 256 shading units, 16 TMUs, 8 ROPs, and 4 RT cores. These counts indicate that the Steam Machine GPU is designed for much higher throughput per clock, which is consistent with its higher TDP of 110 W versus 30 W. The Ryzen Z1 GPU, in turn, uses a smaller 178 mm² die with 25,390 million transistors on a 4 nm process, while the Steam Machine GPU uses a 204 mm² die with 13,300 million transistors on a 6 nm process. Transistor density is 142.6M / mm² for the Ryzen Z1 GPU versus 65.2M / mm² for the Steam Machine GPU.

Where Each One Wins

Based on specifications, the AMD Steam Machine GPU wins in every raw performance category. Compute throughput is 17.56 TFLOPS FP32, and the Ryzen Z1 GPU cannot match that figure. Texture rate, pixel rate, and memory bandwidth all favor the Steam Machine GPU by wide margins. The Steam Machine GPU also has more RT cores, 28 versus 4, which suggests better ray tracing performance in supported titles, though no benchmark data confirms this. Its GDDR6 memory with 288.0 GB/s bandwidth is clearly suited for high-resolution textures and modern game assets.

The AMD Ryzen Z1 GPU wins on efficiency and form factor. It has a 30 W TDP versus 110 W, and it uses a 4 nm process, which is denser than the 6 nm process of the Steam Machine GPU. The Ryzen Z1 GPU also offers 16 GB of memory, double the 8 GB of the Steam Machine GPU, though the memory type and bus width are less capable. For workloads that need more capacity rather than bandwidth, the Ryzen Z1 GPU could hold an advantage. Additionally, the Ryzen Z1 GPU has dimensions of 280 mm in length, 111 mm in height, and 21 mm in width, while the Steam Machine GPU measures 156 mm by 152 mm by 162 mm. The Ryzen Z1 GPU is longer but thinner, while the Steam Machine GPU is more compact in one axis but bulkier overall.

The Ryzen Z1 GPU also has a higher boost clock at 2500 MHz versus 2450 MHz, which is a minor edge in peak frequency. Its FP16 performance is 5.120 TFLOPS with a 2:1 ratio, while the Steam Machine GPU offers 17.56 TFLOPS FP16 with a 1:1 ratio. The Steam Machine GPU does not halve its FP16 throughput, which is a meaningful difference for compute workloads that use mixed precision. The Ryzen Z1 GPU has no display outputs, while the Steam Machine GPU has 1x HDMI 2.1a and 1x DisplayPort 2.1, so the Steam Machine GPU can drive external displays directly. The Ryzen Z1 GPU is likely intended for integration into a larger system.

The Verdict

The database shows a clear split: the AMD Steam Machine GPU dominates in all measured performance metrics, while the AMD Ryzen Z1 GPU wins on power draw, memory capacity, and process node. For any user that prioritizes raw graphics performance, the Steam Machine GPU is the only choice based on the data. It offers 17.56 TFLOPS, 288.0 GB/s bandwidth, and 64 ROPs, all of which are multiples of the Ryzen Z1 GPU's figures. The Steam Machine GPU also has more RT cores and a higher game clock, which supports sustained performance.

For a user that needs low power consumption and a smaller thermal footprint, the Ryzen Z1 GPU is the data-backed pick. Its 30 W TDP is 80 W lower than the Steam Machine GPU, and its 4 nm process is more advanced than 6 nm. The 16 GB memory capacity is double that of the Steam Machine GPU, which could help in memory-bound scenarios, though the bandwidth is far lower. The Ryzen Z1 GPU also has a higher boost clock, 2500 MHz versus 2450 MHz, but that single number does not offset the massive resource deficit.

Neither GPU has a recorded benchmark score, so the verdict rests entirely on specifications. The Steam Machine GPU is the stronger part in every category that affects gaming performance: shader count, TMUs, ROPs, RT cores, memory bandwidth, and FP32 throughput. The Ryzen Z1 GPU is the more efficient part, with a lower TDP and a denser transistor layout. The launch MSRP of the Ryzen Z1 GPU is 599 USD, which is recorded in the database, but the Steam Machine GPU has no launch MSRP listed.

FAQ

Q: What is the difference in FP32 compute between the two GPUs?

A: The AMD Steam Machine GPU delivers 17.56 TFLOPS, while the AMD Ryzen Z1 GPU delivers 2.560 TFLOPS. The Steam Machine GPU has roughly 6.86 times the FP32 throughput.

Q: Which GPU has more memory, and what type?

A: The AMD Ryzen Z1 GPU has 16 GB of LPDDR5 memory. The AMD Steam Machine GPU has 8 GB of GDDR6 memory. The Steam Machine GPU uses a 128-bit bus, while the Ryzen Z1 GPU uses a 64-bit bus.

Q: How do memory bandwidth figures compare?

A: The Steam Machine GPU has 288.0 GB/s, and the Ryzen Z1 GPU has 51.20 GB/s. The Steam Machine GPU offers 5.63 times the bandwidth.

Q: What are the TDP values?

A: The AMD Ryzen Z1 GPU has a TDP of 30 W, and the AMD Steam Machine GPU has a TDP of 110 W.

Q: Do either GPUs have display outputs?

A: The AMD Steam Machine GPU has 1x HDMI 2.1a and 1x DisplayPort 2.1. The AMD Ryzen Z1 GPU has no outputs.

Q: Which GPU has more ray tracing cores?

A: The AMD Steam Machine GPU has 28 RT cores, and the AMD Ryzen Z1 GPU has 4 RT cores.

Architecture Differences

Both GPUs use the RDNA 3.0 architecture, but they are built on different chips and processes. The AMD Ryzen Z1 GPU uses the Phoenix chip, fabricated on a 4 nm process at TSMC. The AMD Steam Machine GPU uses the Navi 33 chip, codenamed Hotpink Bonefish, on a 6 nm process at TSMC. The Ryzen Z1 GPU has 25,390 million transistors on a 178 mm² die, yielding a density of 142.6M / mm². The Steam Machine GPU has 13,300 million transistors on a 204 mm² die, yielding a density of 65.2M / mm². The Ryzen Z1 GPU is smaller and denser, while the Steam Machine GPU is larger but less dense.

The execution pipelines differ significantly. The Ryzen Z1 GPU has 256 shading units, 16 TMUs, 8 ROPs, and 4 RT cores. The Steam Machine GPU has 1792 shading units, 112 TMUs, 64 ROPs, and 28 RT cores. This is a 7x difference in shading units, a 7x difference in TMUs, an 8x difference in ROPs, and a 7x difference in RT cores. The Steam Machine GPU also supports FP16 at a 1:1 ratio, while the Ryzen Z1 GPU uses a 2:1 ratio, meaning the Steam Machine GPU does not halve FP16 throughput.

Memory architecture is another core difference. The Ryzen Z1 GPU uses LPDDR5 with a 64-bit bus and 51.20 GB/s bandwidth. The Steam Machine GPU uses GDDR6 with a 128-bit bus and 288.0 GB/s bandwidth. The memory clock differs: the Ryzen Z1 GPU runs at 800 MHz (6.4 Gbps effective), and the Steam Machine GPU runs at 2250 MHz (18 Gbps effective). Both GPUs support DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4. The Steam Machine GPU has display outputs, while the Ryzen Z1 GPU has none.

Specification Differences

The following fields differ between the two GPUs:

• Chip: Phoenix (Ryzen Z1) versus Navi 33 (Steam Machine)
• Codename: None (Ryzen Z1) versus Hotpink Bonefish (Steam Machine)
• Generation: Console GPU (AMD) versus Console GPU (Valve)
• Process Node: 4 nm (Ryzen Z1) versus 6 nm (Steam Machine)
• Transistors: 25,390 million (Ryzen Z1) versus 13,300 million (Steam Machine)
• Die Size: 178 mm² (Ryzen Z1) versus 204 mm² (Steam Machine)
• Transistor Density: 142.6M / mm² (Ryzen Z1) versus 65.2M / mm² (Steam Machine)
• Base Clock: 1500 MHz (Ryzen Z1) versus 1720 MHz (Steam Machine)
• Boost Clock: 2500 MHz (Ryzen Z1) versus 2450 MHz (Steam Machine)
• Game Clock: None (Ryzen Z1) versus 2250 MHz (Steam Machine)
• Memory Clock: 800 MHz (Ryzen Z1) versus 2250 MHz (Steam Machine)
• Memory Size: 16 GB (Ryzen Z1) versus 8 GB (Steam Machine)
• Memory Type: LPDDR5 (Ryzen Z1) versus GDDR6 (Steam Machine)
• Memory Bus Width: 64 bit (Ryzen Z1) versus 128 bit (Steam Machine)
• Memory Bandwidth: 51.20 GB/s (Ryzen Z1) versus 288.0 GB/s (Steam Machine)
• Shading Units: 256 (Ryzen Z1) versus 1792 (Steam Machine)
• TMUs: 16 (Ryzen Z1) versus 112 (Steam Machine)
• ROPs: 8 (Ryzen Z1) versus 64 (Steam Machine)
• RT Cores: 4 (Ryzen Z1) versus 28 (Steam Machine)
• Pixel Rate: 20.00 GPixel/s (Ryzen Z1) versus 156.8 GPixel/s (Steam Machine)
• Texture Rate: 40.00 GTexel/s (Ryzen Z1) versus 274.4 GTexel/s (Steam Machine)
• FP32: 2.560 TFLOPS (Ryzen Z1) versus 17.56 TFLOPS (Steam Machine)
• FP16: 5.120 TFLOPS (2:1) (Ryzen Z1) versus 17.56 TFLOPS (1:1) (Steam Machine)
• TDP: 30 W (Ryzen Z1) versus 110 W (Steam Machine)
• Display Outputs: No outputs (Ryzen Z1) versus 1x HDMI 2.1a, 1x DisplayPort 2.1 (Steam Machine)
• Dimensions: 280 mm x 111 mm x 21 mm (Ryzen Z1) versus 156 mm x 152 mm x 162 mm (Steam Machine)
• Release Date: 2023-09-17 (Ryzen Z1) versus 2026-06-28 (Steam Machine)
• Launch MSRP: 599 USD (Ryzen Z1) versus None (Steam Machine)