AMD Zen 6 APU Engineering Sample With 24GB Memory Appears in Benchmarks
An AMD engineering sample featuring Zen 6 cores and 24GB of fast LPDDR5 memory was spotted in OpenBenchmarking, hinting at next-gen handheld specs.
Key points
- The chip features six CPU cores, 24GB of LPDDR5 memory at 9,600 MT/s, and a GPU clocked at 2.4 GHz.
- Microcode analysis suggests the processor belongs to AMD's Family 1Ah, model DCh, linked to Zen 6 architecture.
- Neither AMD nor Valve has confirmed this chip will power a future Steam Deck or gaming handheld.
An AMD engineering sample with part number 100-000001930-12_Y appeared in an OpenBenchmarking listing, revealing specifications that suggest a significant hardware upgrade for potential gaming handhelds. According to a report by TechPowerUp, the chip may belong to AMD’s upcoming Gainsborough family and could serve as a candidate for the next-generation Steam Deck console.
The engineering sample features a six-core, 12-thread processor paired with 24GB of high-speed LPDDR5 memory. The memory consists of four 6GB SK Hynix packages running at 9,600 MT/s, a substantial increase over the current Steam Deck’s 16GB of LPDDR5 memory at 6,400 MT/s. The integrated GPU is clocked at 2,400 MHz, though its architecture and compute unit count remain undisclosed.
Technical Specifications and Architecture
Analysis of the sample’s CPU microcode revision indicates it corresponds to AMD’s Family 1Ah, model DCh. According to Notebookcheck, Linux kernel changes associate this model with the range reserved for newer Zen 6 processors. This suggests the Gainsborough chip utilizes AMD’s next-generation CPU architecture, although it remains unclear whether it employs standard Zen 6 cores or the denser Zen 6C variant.
The sample was tested on an AMD GBR-FF6-SKT validation board with the CPU running at 2.4 GHz. Benchmark results from the GpuTest suite on Ubuntu 24.04 at 1024 x 768 resolution included scores of 3,871 in GiMark, 3,508 in FurMark, and 9,319 in TessMark. These figures provide early performance data but do not reflect final product capabilities.
Implications for Gaming Hardware
The FurMark score is comparable to the original Steam Deck, but the source material notes that engineering platform tests using development software cannot establish final game performance. Factors such as power limits, cooling solutions, driver maturity, and final GPU configuration significantly impact performance in compact gaming devices. Therefore, current benchmark scores should not be interpreted as definitive indicators of consumer product capabilities.
If these specifications are adopted for a future Steam Deck, the additional CPU cores and larger, faster memory would offer a meaningful hardware upgrade. The current Steam Deck relies on a four-core, eight-thread AMD Zen 2 processor, making the shift to a six-core Zen 6 design a notable generational leap in processing power and memory bandwidth.
What should you do?
Security and technology professionals should monitor official announcements from AMD and Valve for confirmation regarding the Gainsborough family and its intended applications. Until vendors release official specifications, treat leaked benchmark data as preliminary engineering samples rather than final product definitions. Watch for updates on Linux kernel support for Family 1Ah processors to track driver development progress.
What to do and how to stay safe: AMD
- Monitor official channels from AMD and Valve for confirmed product roadmaps and technical specifications.
- Review Linux kernel documentation for updates regarding Family 1Ah, model DCh processor support.
- Evaluate current handheld device inventory against potential performance upgrades when official data is released.
- Track benchmark results from validated consumer hardware rather than engineering samples for accurate performance comparisons.
Step-by-step guide: Mobile Device Security: How to Protect Data Beyond Passwords
General security guidance from the Threat Times newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.
Frequently asked questions
Is this chip confirmed for the next Steam Deck?
No, neither AMD nor Valve has confirmed a connection between the Gainsborough family and a future Steam Deck.
What memory configuration does the engineering sample use?
It uses 24GB of LPDDR5 memory from four 6GB SK Hynix packages running at 9,600 MT/s.
What CPU architecture does the sample likely use?
Microcode analysis suggests it uses AMD’s Family 1Ah, model DCh, which falls within the range for Zen 6 processors.
