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AMD Ryzen Z2
AMD Ryzen Z2 Go

AMD Ryzen Z2 AMD Ryzen Z2 Go

Overview

Welcome to our in-depth comparison of the AMD Ryzen Z2 and the AMD Ryzen Z2 Go, two processors built on the same 4 nm architecture and sharing the Radeon 780M integrated GPU. While they align on many fundamentals, they diverge significantly when it comes to core count, cache size, and raw multi-threaded performance. Whether you are evaluating handheld gaming hardware or compact computing solutions, understanding where these two chips converge and where they part ways is essential to making the right choice.

Common Features

  • ✓ Both processors include integrated graphics.
  • ✓ The Thermal Design Power (TDP) is 28W on both processors.
  • ✓ Both are manufactured using a 4 nm semiconductor process.
  • ✓ The maximum CPU temperature is 100 °C on both processors.
  • ✓ Both support PCI Express (PCIe) version 4.
  • ✓ Both processors support 64-bit computing.
  • ✓ The L1 cache is 512 KB on both processors.
  • ✓ The L3 cache density is 2 MB per core on both processors.
  • ✓ Neither processor uses big.LITTLE technology.
  • ✓ The integrated GPU clock speed is 800 MHz on both processors.
  • ✓ Both feature the Radeon 780M integrated GPU.
  • ✓ The integrated GPU turbo speed is 2700 MHz on both processors.
  • ✓ Both support DirectX 12 Ultimate.
  • ✓ Both support OpenGL version 4.6.
  • ✓ Both support OpenCL version 2.1.
  • ✓ Both have 48 texture mapping units (TMUs) in their integrated graphics.
  • ✓ Both have 32 render output units (ROPs) in their integrated graphics.
  • ✓ The maximum supported RAM speed is 7500 MHz on both processors.
  • ✓ Both use DDR5 memory.
  • ✓ Both support the same instruction sets: MMX, F16C, FMA3, AES, AVX, AVX2, SSE 4.1, and SSE 4.2.

Main Differences

  • • CPU speed is 8 x 3.3 GHz on AMD Ryzen Z2 and 4 x 3 GHz on AMD Ryzen Z2 Go.
  • • CPU threads count is 16 on AMD Ryzen Z2 and 8 on AMD Ryzen Z2 Go.
  • • Turbo clock speed is 5.1 GHz on AMD Ryzen Z2 and 4.3 GHz on AMD Ryzen Z2 Go.
  • • L2 cache is 8 MB on AMD Ryzen Z2 and 2 MB on AMD Ryzen Z2 Go.
  • • L3 cache is 16 MB on AMD Ryzen Z2 and 8 MB on AMD Ryzen Z2 Go.
  • • L2 cache per core is 1 MB/core on AMD Ryzen Z2 and 0.5 MB/core on AMD Ryzen Z2 Go.
  • • PassMark multi-core result is 22671 on AMD Ryzen Z2 and 12043 on AMD Ryzen Z2 Go.
  • • PassMark single-core result is 3784 on AMD Ryzen Z2 and 3116 on AMD Ryzen Z2 Go.
Specs Comparison
AMD Ryzen Z2

AMD Ryzen Z2

AMD Ryzen Z2 Go

AMD Ryzen Z2 Go

General info:
Has integrated graphics ✓ ✓
release date January 2025 January 2025
Thermal Design Power (TDP) 28W 28W
semiconductor size 4 nm 4 nm
CPU temperature 100 °C 100 °C
PCI Express (PCIe) version 4 4
Supports 64-bit ✓ ✓

In terms of general platform fundamentals, the AMD Ryzen Z2 and the AMD Ryzen Z2 Go are effectively identical across every provided specification. Both are built on a 4 nm semiconductor process, operate within a 28W TDP, top out at a 100 °C junction temperature, support PCIe 4.0, include integrated graphics, and are fully 64-bit capable.

The shared 4 nm node is significant: it reflects a modern, power-efficient manufacturing process that enables these chips to balance performance and thermal output within that 28W envelope — a common target for handheld gaming and compact device form factors. The PCIe 4.0 support ensures compatibility with fast NVMe storage and other high-bandwidth peripherals without bottlenecking modern components.

Based strictly on this spec group, there is no differentiator between the two products — they are completely tied. Users looking to distinguish between the Ryzen Z2 and the Z2 Go will need to look beyond general platform specs, as this category offers no advantage to either side.

Performance:
CPU speed 8 x 3.3 GHz 4 x 3 GHz
CPU threads 16 threads 8 threads
turbo clock speed 5.1GHz 4.3GHz
L2 cache 8 MB 2 MB
L3 cache 16 MB 8 MB
L1 cache 512 KB 512 KB
L2 core 1 MB/core 0.5 MB/core
L3 core 2 MB/core 2 MB/core
Uses big.LITTLE technology ✕ ✕

The AMD Ryzen Z2 offers significantly higher CPU speed compared to the AMD Ryzen Z2 Go, with a base clock of 8 x 3.3 GHz versus the Z2 Go's 4 x 3 GHz. The Ryzen Z2 also has double the number of CPU threads, with 16 threads compared to the Z2 Go's 8 threads, which could translate to better multitasking and processing power. Additionally, the turbo clock speed is higher in the Ryzen Z2, reaching 5.1 GHz compared to the Z2 Go's 4.3 GHz.

When it comes to cache, the Ryzen Z2 has larger L2 and L3 caches, with 8 MB and 16 MB, respectively. In contrast, the Z2 Go has only 2 MB of L2 cache and 8 MB of L3 cache. This difference may impact data retrieval speeds and overall performance, especially in demanding tasks. The L2 cache per core is also greater in the Ryzen Z2 at 1 MB/core, while the Z2 Go offers 0.5 MB/core.

Both products share the same L1 cache of 512 KB and both do not use big.LITTLE technology. Overall, the Ryzen Z2 outperforms the Ryzen Z2 Go in terms of clock speeds, thread count, and cache sizes, indicating a potentially stronger performance in tasks that require high processing power and multitasking.

Benchmarks:
PassMark result 22671 12043
PassMark result (single) 3784 3116

The AMD Ryzen Z2 significantly outperforms the AMD Ryzen Z2 Go in PassMark benchmarking. The Ryzen Z2 achieves a total PassMark result of 22671, whereas the Z2 Go scores 12043, nearly half as much. In terms of single-threaded performance, the Ryzen Z2 again leads with a result of 3784 compared to the Z2 Go's 3116.

This difference in PassMark results indicates that the Ryzen Z2 offers higher overall performance, both in multi-threaded and single-threaded tasks, making it a stronger choice for performance-heavy applications.

Both products have clear differences in benchmark scores, with the Ryzen Z2 showing considerable advantages in both overall and single-threaded performance, reflecting its higher core count and clock speeds from the previous comparison.

Integrated graphics:
GPU clock speed 800 MHz 800 MHz
GPU name Radeon 780M Radeon 780M
GPU turbo 2700 MHz 2700 MHz
DirectX version DirectX 12 Ultimate DirectX 12 Ultimate
OpenGL version 4.6 4.6
OpenCL version 2.1 2.1
texture mapping units (TMUs) 48 48
render output units (ROPs) 32 32
shading units 768 768

The integrated graphics in both the AMD Ryzen Z2 and AMD Ryzen Z2 Go are identical. Both products feature the same GPU, the Radeon 780M, with a GPU clock speed of 800 MHz and a turbo frequency of 2700 MHz. Additionally, both support DirectX 12 Ultimate, OpenGL version 4.6, and OpenCL version 2.1.

In terms of graphical architecture, both products have the same number of texture mapping units (TMUs), with 48, and the same number of render output units (ROPs), with 32. The shading units are also identical at 768 for both the Ryzen Z2 and Ryzen Z2 Go.

Overall, there is no difference in the integrated graphics capabilities between the AMD Ryzen Z2 and AMD Ryzen Z2 Go, as all specifications are the same across both products.

Memory:
RAM speed (max) 7500 MHz 7500 MHz
DDR memory version 5 5

The AMD Ryzen Z2 and AMD Ryzen Z2 Go both support the same maximum RAM speed of 7500 MHz. Additionally, both products use DDR5 memory, indicating they are designed to handle modern high-performance memory standards.

Since both products share identical specifications for RAM speed and memory version, there are no differences in this category.

Overall, the memory capabilities are the same for both the Ryzen Z2 and Ryzen Z2 Go, offering the same high-speed DDR5 support with a maximum RAM speed of 7500 MHz.

Features:
instruction sets MMX, F16C, FMA3, AES, AVX, AVX2, SSE 4.1, SSE 4.2 MMX, F16C, FMA3, AES, AVX, AVX2, SSE 4.1, SSE 4.2

The AMD Ryzen Z2 and AMD Ryzen Z2 Go both support the same set of instruction sets. These include MMX, F16C, FMA3, AES, AVX, AVX2, SSE 4.1, and SSE 4.2, ensuring they are both compatible with a wide range of modern software and workloads that require these instructions for enhanced performance.

There are no differences between the two products in terms of instruction set support. Both products are equipped with the same capabilities for efficient processing of multimedia, cryptography, and vector operations.

In summary, the instruction sets are identical across both the Ryzen Z2 and Ryzen Z2 Go, with no distinctions in features related to processing capabilities.

Comparison Summary & Verdict

After examining all available specifications, a clear picture emerges for each processor. The AMD Ryzen Z2, with its 8 cores, 16 threads, and 5.1 GHz turbo clock, paired with a substantially larger 16 MB L3 cache and a PassMark multi-core score of 22671, is the stronger choice for users who demand peak sustained performance in demanding workloads or gaming sessions. The AMD Ryzen Z2 Go, offering 4 cores, 8 threads, and a 4.3 GHz turbo alongside a PassMark score of 12043, trades raw power for what is typically a more efficient, lighter-weight profile suited to everyday gaming and portable use. Both share the same Radeon 780M GPU, DDR5 memory support, and 28W TDP, meaning the integrated graphics experience and memory bandwidth are equally matched. Choose the Ryzen Z2 for maximum headroom; choose the Ryzen Z2 Go if your priorities lean toward a capable yet more modest platform.

AMD Ryzen Z2
Buy AMD Ryzen Z2 if...

Choose the AMD Ryzen Z2 if you need maximum multi-threaded performance, with 8 cores, a 5.1 GHz turbo speed, and a significantly higher PassMark score for demanding applications.

AMD Ryzen Z2 Go
Buy AMD Ryzen Z2 Go if...

Choose the AMD Ryzen Z2 Go if a 4-core configuration with a lower turbo clock meets your everyday computing or casual gaming needs on a more modest platform.