Steam Deck 2: Is AMD Gainsborough the chip Valve’s been waiting for?

AMD's new "Gainsborough" chip could enable a performance leap for the next Steam Deck, potentially improving gaming on the go.

AMD's "Gainsborough" chip, revealed through leaked driver code, is speculated to be the successor to the chip powering Valve's Steam Deck. The chip appears to be a semi-custom design manufactured on TSMC's N3P process, a relatively new node. AMD has reportedly begun shipping test equipment for Gainsborough, suggesting a customer is already in the validation phase. Import/export records indicate the chip will have a 25mm by 25mm package size, similar to the upcoming AMD Ryzen Z3 and Z3 Extreme chips targeted at 15 watts. However, direct confirmation linking Gainsborough to a Steam Deck 2 remains elusive, with previous semi-custom chips having different intended applications and Valve's codename conventions not originating from the company.

The potential integration of AMD's "Gainsborough" chip into a future Steam Deck 2 hinges on its performance and efficiency gains, particularly on TSMC's N3P process. If this chip delivers a generational leap as Valve desires, it could significantly enhance handheld gaming capabilities. The fact that AMD is already shipping test equipment suggests a strong possibility of an upcoming device utilizing this silicon.

Despite the "Gainsborough" codename and its potential size aligning with other handheld chips, its direct link to Valve is not guaranteed. Semi-custom designs can be repurposed, and AMD, not Valve, has historically chosen the "Final Fantasy"-inspired codenames. Valve's own design choices for the Steam Deck have involved shrinking chips and repurposing components, indicating a pragmatic approach to hardware development that may not rely solely on AMD's initial chip designations.