ASUS said its Ryzen Z1 ROG Ally reached at least 30 FPS at 1080p in Cyberpunk 2077 and Diablo IV when set to Turbo mode. That is a manufacturer-reported result, not an independent benchmark—and ASUS’s accessible article text does not give the charts’ individual game-by-game frame rates. The Z1 Extreme has more CPU cores and three times as many graphics compute units, making it the stronger hardware configuration on paper; which Ally makes sense depends on the games and settings you want.
What ASUS reported about ROG Ally Z1 performance
In an article published September 29, 2023, ASUS ROG described its Ryzen Z1 Ally as capable of 30 FPS or higher at 1080p in Cyberpunk 2077 and Diablo IV with the handheld in Turbo mode. This is ASUS’s claim about its own testing. The accessible article text does not provide the test methodology or the separate FPS result for each game, so it should not be treated as a complete, independently verified benchmark comparison. ASUS ROG’s comparison article also links charts for 1080p play and for games rendered at 720p and scaled to 1080p using RSR, but its accessible text does not transcribe the chart values.
That distinction matters if you are looking for an answer to “What FPS does the ROG Ally Z1 get?” ASUS’s stated floor applies to those two named games, at 1080p, in Turbo mode. It does not establish a frame rate for every game, power mode, or graphics setting.
How the Z1 and Z1 Extreme hardware differs
The two processors have materially different CPU and GPU configurations. ASUS lists the standard Ryzen Z1 with six Zen 4 CPU cores, twelve threads, and four RDNA 3 graphics compute units. HotHardware reported that the Ryzen Z1 Extreme has eight CPU cores and twelve RDNA 3 compute units. The Extreme therefore has twice as many graphics compute units as the standard Z1, as well as two more CPU cores.
| Processor | CPU configuration | Graphics configuration | Source and qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen Z1 | 6 Zen 4 cores, 12 threads | 4 RDNA 3 compute units | ASUS ROG, 2023 |
| Ryzen Z1 Extreme | 8 CPU cores | 12 RDNA 3 compute units | HotHardware’s 2023 report; this configuration is attributed to secondary reporting here |
These specifications explain why the Extreme is the more capable configuration on paper, particularly for graphics-heavy workloads. They do not, by themselves, tell you the FPS difference in a particular game: that depends on the game, resolution, graphics settings, power mode, and the test conditions.
What the charts and FPS claims can—and cannot—tell you
ASUS’s article points readers to two sets of comparisons: one at 1080p and another using 720p rendering scaled to 1080p with Radeon Super Resolution (RSR). ASUS also says the Z1 supports FSR and RSR. The accessible article text does not state the individual results shown in those charts, so specific per-game numbers cannot be established from that text alone.
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Even an average FPS figure would not describe the whole experience. In its same-day report, HotHardware cautioned that average FPS does not show how smooth gameplay feels. Frame pacing and dips matter as well as the average, so a single FPS number should not be read as proof of consistently smooth play. HotHardware also said it had not tested a Ryzen Z1 unit; its article is context and reporting, not an independent Z1 benchmark review. Read HotHardware’s September 2023 coverage.
Is the standard Z1 Ally good enough for AAA games?
ASUS’s 30-FPS-or-higher claim for Cyberpunk 2077 and Diablo IV suggests that the standard Z1 can run those demanding games at 1080p in Turbo mode under ASUS’s test conditions. It does not establish that every recent AAA game will reach the same result, or that the experience will remain smooth at every setting. If you are considering the Z1 for newer 3D games, treat ASUS’s figure as a limited example rather than a guarantee for a whole game library.
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- Charging Method: USB-C
- Operating System: Windows 11 Home
- Processor Manufacturer: AMD
- Processor Model: Ryzen Z1 Extreme
- Processor Type: Zen 4
HotHardware warned that demanding AAA play can substantially reduce battery life, but did not provide a quantified battery comparison from its own Z1 testing. Turbo-mode performance and unplugged endurance are therefore separate considerations: the cited performance claim should not be mistaken for a battery-life result.
How to choose between the Z1 and Z1 Extreme
ASUS frames the choice around game selection, desired frame rate and image quality, and budget. Use those factors to decide which trade-off fits your use:
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- Play All Your Games – The ROG Ally supports all Windows-compatible games across platforms such as Steam, Xbox Game Pass, Epic, GOG, and more.
- 90-Day Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Included - Play Minecraft Legends and hundreds of PC games on the ROG Ally with 3 months of Game Pass. With games added all the time, there’s always something new to play. *Terms apply.
- Play the Way You Want – Embrace versatility with the ROG Ally. Game on-the-go with handheld mode, or share the fun with friends and family by hooking it up to your TV and connecting multiple controllers.
- Incredible Power – Equipped with AMD’s Z1 APU with RDNA 3 graphics and 2.8 TFLOPs, the Ally makes playing any game on the palm of your hand possible.
- Stunningly Beautiful Visuals – On the Ally, games are crisp and clear thanks to its 7” Full HD touchscreen display with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate and AMD FreeSync Premium technology.
- Consider the Z1 if your budget is the priority and ASUS’s limited performance example is relevant to the games and settings you expect to use. Its stated result is specifically for two titles at 1080p in Turbo mode, not a promise across all games.
- Consider the Z1 Extreme if you want the higher-spec CPU and GPU configuration for demanding games or more headroom. The specifications make it the stronger configuration on paper, but the accessible sources do not establish a precise FPS advantage for each title.
- Think about resolution and scaling. ASUS’s comparison also includes 720p rendered and scaled to 1080p with RSR, an option to consider alongside native 1080p when balancing image quality and performance.
- Include power use in your decision. The 30-FPS claim is tied to Turbo mode. HotHardware’s warning about AAA battery drain is qualitative rather than a measured figure for the Z1 comparison.
ASUS’s own summary is that the model choice depends on “what games you play, your desired framerate and quality settings, and your budget.” That is the most defensible way to read the comparison: the Extreme has substantially more graphics resources, while the standard Z1 has a manufacturer-stated performance result in two named games, but the available text does not support a universal FPS ranking or an exact per-game gap.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the September 2023 comparison says about software
ASUS’s article also listed software and compatibility changes it said had arrived since the Ally’s launch, including controller settings and calibration, Armoury Crate and Command Center interface changes, driver updates, and a 30W USB-C docking compatibility update. These are updates reported in that September 2023 article, not confirmation of the Ally’s current software status.
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