AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme GPU vs AMD Ryzen Z2 GPU Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data contains a single benchmark result for the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme GPU, specifically a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 516. This places the part in the 1st percentile among all GPUs in the database. The AMD Ryzen Z2 GPU has no recorded benchmark scores, meaning a direct numerical comparison between the two parts cannot be established from the available measurements.

The Ryzen Z2 Extreme's score of 516 sits within a narrow competitive band. The database shows the Intel HD Graphics P4000 scoring 534, which is 3.4% higher than the Z2 Extreme. The AMD Radeon HD 6870 scores 536, a 3.7% advantage. On the other side, the AMD Radeon HD 6750M trails with 484, putting the Z2 Extreme 6.6% ahead. The AMD Radeon HD 6770M leads the group at 569, a 9.3% margin over the Z2 Extreme.

The Z2 Extreme's 1st percentile ranking indicates that it sits at the very bottom of the overall performance distribution in the database. The Z2 GPU lacks any benchmark entries, so its percentile of 50 is effectively a default value rather than a measured outcome. The data confirms that the Z2 Extreme is the only one of the two with verifiable performance results, and those results place it in the company of integrated graphics solutions from over a decade ago.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on a 4 nm process node at TSMC and share the same console GPU generation classification. The similarities end there. The Z2 Extreme uses the Strix Point chip with RDNA 3.5 architecture, while the Z2 uses the Hawk Point chip with RDNA 3.0 architecture. This architectural gap is significant: RDNA 3.5 is a newer revision of AMD's graphics core design.

The transistor counts differ substantially. The Z2 Extreme packs 34,000 million transistors on a 233 mm² die, yielding a density of 145.9 million transistors per square millimeter. The Z2 uses 25,390 million transistors on a smaller 178 mm² die, with a density of 142.6 million per square millimeter. The Z2 Extreme therefore carries roughly 34% more transistors and a 31% larger die, while maintaining a slightly higher transistor density.

Both parts have identical base and boost clocks at 800 MHz and 2700 MHz respectively. Memory configurations are similar in capacity and type: both use 16 GB of LPDDR5X on a 128-bit bus. The Z2 Extreme runs its memory at 1000 MHz with 8 Gbps effective speed, producing 128.0 GB/s of bandwidth. The Z2 runs at 937 MHz with 7.5 Gbps effective, yielding 119.9 GB/s. The Z2 Extreme has a 6.8% bandwidth advantage.

The compute resources differ considerably. The Z2 Extreme has 1024 shading units, 64 texture mapping units, 48 render output units, and 16 ray tracing cores. The Z2 has 768 shading units, 48 TMUs, 32 ROPs, and 12 RT cores. These are substantial gaps: the Z2 Extreme has 33% more shading units, 33% more TMUs, 50% more ROPs, and 33% more RT cores.

The pixel and texture rates reflect these differences. The Z2 Extreme produces 129.6 GPixel/s and 172.8 GTexel/s. The Z2 produces 86.40 GPixel/s and 129.6 GTexel/s. The Z2 Extreme leads by 50% in pixel throughput and 33% in texture throughput.

The FP32 compute figures present an anomaly. The Z2 Extreme is rated at 5.530 TFLOPS, while the Z2 is rated at 8.294 TFLOPS. Despite having fewer shading units, the Z2 posts a 50% higher FP32 figure. Both parts list FP16 at a 1:1 ratio with FP32. This divergence in the recorded data is notable, as the Z2's higher FP32 rating contradicts its smaller compute resource allocation.

Both parts share identical API support: DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4. Both use a single USB Type-C display output, have no power connectors, and are rated at 28 W TDP. The Z2 Extreme was released on 2025-07-08, while the Z2 was released on 2024-12-31.

Where Each One Wins

The Z2 Extreme wins in every measured hardware specification except FP32 compute. Its 1024 shading units versus 768 gives it a clear advantage in raw shader throughput. The 64 TMUs versus 48 means it can process textures faster. The 48 ROPs versus 32 doubles its pixel fill rate advantage. The 16 RT cores versus 12 provides more ray tracing hardware.

The Z2 Extreme also leads in memory bandwidth at 128.0 GB/s versus 119.9 GB/s. Its pixel rate of 129.6 GPixel/s is exactly 50% higher than the Z2's 86.40 GPixel/s. Its texture rate of 172.8 GTexel/s is exactly 33% higher than the Z2's 129.6 GTexel/s.

The Z2's only recorded advantage is the FP32 rating of 8.294 TFLOPS versus 5.530 TFLOPS, a 50% gap. This is coupled with a higher transistor density on a smaller die. The Z2 also has an earlier release date.

The benchmark data gives the Z2 Extreme the only verified performance score. The Z2 has no scores in the database, so its real-world performance cannot be assessed. The Z2 Extreme's single 3DMark Steel Nomad result of 516 places it near the Intel HD Graphics P4000 and AMD Radeon HD 6870, with a 6.6% lead over the AMD Radeon HD 6750M and a 9.3% deficit to the AMD Radeon HD 6770M.

FAQ

Q: Which GPU has more shading units?

A: The AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme GPU has 1024 shading units, while the AMD Ryzen Z2 GPU has 768 shading units.

Q: What are the memory bandwidth figures for each GPU?

A: The Z2 Extreme has 128.0 GB/s of bandwidth from LPDDR5X memory running at 1000 MHz with 8 Gbps effective speed. The Z2 has 119.9 GB/s from LPDDR5X memory running at 937 MHz with 7.5 Gbps effective speed.

Q: Which GPU has a higher FP32 compute rating?

A: The AMD Ryzen Z2 GPU is rated at 8.294 TFLOPS, which is 50% higher than the Z2 Extreme's 5.530 TFLOPS.

Q: Do both GPUs support the same APIs?

A: Yes, both support DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4.

Q: What is the process node for both chips?

A: Both the Strix Point chip in the Z2 Extreme and the Hawk Point chip in the Z2 are built on a 4 nm process at TSMC.

Q: Does the database contain benchmark scores for both GPUs?

A: No. The Z2 Extreme has one recorded score of 516 in 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12. The Z2 has no recorded benchmark scores.

The Verdict

The data supports choosing the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme GPU for nearly every hardware comparison. It has more shading units, more texture mapping units, more render output units, more ray tracing cores, higher memory bandwidth, higher pixel rate, and higher texture rate. Its transistor count of 34,000 million on a 233 mm² die gives it a larger and more densely packed implementation than the Z2's 25,390 million on a 178 mm² die.

The Z2's FP32 rating of 8.294 TFLOPS versus the Z2 Extreme's 5.530 TFLOPS is the only specification where the Z2 leads. This is a meaningful gap, but it is contradicted by the Z2's smaller compute resource pool. The Z2 also has a lower transistor density at 142.6M per square millimeter versus 145.9M per square millimeter.

The benchmark evidence, though limited to one entry, favors the Z2 Extreme. Its 3DMark Steel Nomad score of 516 is the only measured performance data available for either part. The Z2 has no scores, making it impossible to verify its real-world performance. The Z2 Extreme's placement near the Intel HD Graphics P4000 and AMD Radeon HD 6870 indicates modest absolute performance, but it is the only one of the two with any recorded gaming result.

The Z2 Extreme is the better choice based on the comprehensive hardware lead and the presence of verified benchmark data. The Z2 offers a higher FP32 figure, but the absence of benchmark results and its reduced resource allocation across every other compute category make it the weaker option in the recorded specifications.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme GPU | AMD Ryzen Z2 GPU |

|---|---|---|

| Chip | Strix Point | Hawk Point |

| Architecture | RDNA 3.5 | RDNA 3.0 |

| Process Node | 4 nm | 4 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | TSMC |

| Transistors | 34,000 million | 25,390 million |

| Die Size | 233 mm² | 178 mm² |

| Transistor Density | 145.9M / mm² | 142.6M / mm² |

| Base Clock | 800 MHz | 800 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 2700 MHz | 2700 MHz |

| Memory Clock | 1000 MHz 8 Gbps effective | 937 MHz 7.5 Gbps effective |

| Memory Size | 16 GB | 16 GB |

| Memory Type | LPDDR5X | LPDDR5X |

| Memory Bus Width | 128 bit | 128 bit |

| Memory Bandwidth | 128.0 GB/s | 119.9 GB/s |

| Shading Units | 1024 | 768 |

| TMUs | 64 | 48 |

| ROPs | 48 | 32 |

| RT Cores | 16 | 12 |

| Pixel Rate | 129.6 GPixel/s | 86.40 GPixel/s |

| Texture Rate | 172.8 GTexel/s | 129.6 GTexel/s |

| FP32 | 5.530 TFLOPS | 8.294 TFLOPS |

| FP16 | 5.530 TFLOPS (1:1) | 8.294 TFLOPS (1:1) |

| TDP | 28 W | 28 W |

| Release Date | 2025-07-08 | 2024-12-31 |