Ryzen Z1 Extreme driver support reportedly ends, threatening handheld longevity

AMD has reportedly ceased providing new driver support for its Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU after approximately two and a half years, according to multiple reports from hardware manufacturers and online communities. This means several high-end Windows 11 handheld gaming PCs — including the Lenovo Legion Go, Legion Go S, Asus ROG Ally, and ROG Ally X — will no longer receive official driver updates, potentially impacting their long-term performance with new games.

Which devices are affected by the driver support end?

According to reports from Lenovo Korean community representatives, there are 'no more plans' to issue new drivers for the original Legion Go. This affects the entire lineup of premium Windows 11 handhelds powered by the Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU.

The affected devices include:

• Lenovo Legion Go (original model)
• Lenovo Legion Go S (Ryzen Z1 Extreme variant only)
• Asus ROG Ally (original model)
• Asus ROG Ally X

Interestingly, the entry-level Legion Go S with the AMD Ryzen Z2 Go APU appears unaffected by this decision, despite being based on older Zen 2 architecture compared to the Zen 3-based Z1 Extreme.

What this means for gaming performance

Without official driver updates, these devices effectively enter maintenance mode. According to our assessment, the biggest risk for gamers who own these handhelds is the lack of optimisations for future games — drivers are critical so games run smoothly and support the systems properly.

Without updated drivers, while most games should run fine, there might be some that run poorly or simply refuse to run due to dated drivers. Owners will miss day-one optimisations for major game releases, potentially leading to crashes or poor performance in future titles.

The hardware itself won't stop working, but the gaming experience could degrade significantly over time as new releases demand updated driver support.

Why unofficial drivers aren't the answer

While it may technically be possible to install alternative Ryzen drivers, such as those issued for other AMD APUs, manufacturers are actively warning against this approach. These handhelds use configurable TDP values ranging from 9W to 30W specifically tuned for the Z1 Extreme.

Previously released drivers have been tested by OEMs to ensure maximum compatibility, and drivers designed for other handhelds might not be an exact match. This could lead to thermal issues, battery drain problems, or system instability.

Linux alternatives offer potential lifeline

A viable alternative might be ditching Windows entirely for a Linux-based operating system. Since the Steam Deck is made and updated by Valve, who will continue to support the system as well as SteamOS and Linux, it makes platforms like SteamOS much more enticing in the long run.

Linux-based handhelds running Valve's SteamOS or community distributions like Bazzite use open-source drivers that don't rely on AMD's release schedule. Valve is dedicated to SteamOS as they want to make it the de facto platform for gamers, and they will continue to optimise the platform long-term.

However, like-for-like performance compared to optimised Windows drivers may not be guaranteed, and users would need to be comfortable with the transition to a Linux environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the end of Ryzen Z1 Extreme driver support mean for my handheld?

It means your device will no longer receive official driver updates, potentially leading to missed game optimisations, crashes, or poor performance in future titles. The hardware continues working, but gaming performance may degrade over time.

Which handheld devices are affected by the Ryzen Z1 Extreme driver issue?

Affected devices include the Asus ROG Ally, Asus ROG Ally X, Lenovo Legion Go, and the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme variant of the Lenovo Legion Go S. The Z2 Go variant remains unaffected.

Are there any alternatives for handheld owners affected by the driver issue?

The main alternative is installing a Linux-based operating system like SteamOS or Bazzite, which use open-source drivers independent of AMD's release schedule. However, performance parity isn't guaranteed.

Can I install unofficial Windows drivers on my handheld?

While technically possible, manufacturers like Lenovo actively warn against this. These devices use specific TDP configurations, and unofficial drivers may cause thermal issues or system instability.

Has AMD officially confirmed the end of Z1 Extreme support?

AMD hasn't directly addressed this issue officially. The reports come from hardware manufacturers and community discussions, making official confirmation still pending from AMD.

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