Chinese Console Subor Z-Plus Is Powered by AMD Ryzen Vega Graphics

cageymaru

cageymaru

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AMD has added another console win to their portfolio with the Chinese territory exclusive Subor Z-Plus. The Subor-Z Plus boasts of an AMD Ryzen 4C/8T processor running at 3.0GHz and Vega graphics spec'd at 24 CUs/1300MHz for the GPU in the 14 nm SoC design. In comparison, an AMD Ryzen 2400G 4C/8T processor runs at 3.8GHz but only has 11 CUs/1240MHz for the GPU. The Subor Z-Plus has 8GB GDDR5 for system ram and runs an Enterprise version of Windows IoT.

So what does this mean for performance? The console is faster than a PlayStation 4 Pro as it is capable of playing Battlefield 1 and Destiny 2 at 1080p/60 although there are performance dips in areas where the CPU is strained. Due to the lack of an overclocking tool and early drivers, these performance hitches can't be corrected. The system's storage can be upgraded but obviously the AMD SoC and memory can't be upgraded.

Idle power draw is in the 55-60W range and the machine is whisper-quiet. Using Crysis 3 to push the machine to max load, a 185W peak is drawn from the mains. The fans kick in and they are audible, hitting around 49dB when measured with a noise meter directly above the console. However, fan pitch is less obtrusive than PS4 Pro and based on thermal imagery, temperatures on the chassis top out at 43 degrees Celsius - again, a significant reduction compared to Sony's offering. The overall conclusion here is that Subor has delivered a quieter and cooler machine with creditable build quality.
 
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cageymaru said:
The Subor Z-Plus has 8GB DDR5 for system ram and runs an Enterprise version of Windows IoT.
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The specification sheet shown in the video says 8GB GDDR5.

@11:56 You can see it's using drivers over a year old!

Kind of weird seeing a console that doesn't come with a proprietary controller design. Maybe they assume everyone buying this already has another console + controllers?
 
I'm impressed, the details surprised me, it looks like an awesome HTPC machine with gaming performance beyond PS4 to boot.

Would be nice if someone imports some of these.
 
DedEmbryonicCe11 said:
The specification sheet shown in the video says 8GB GDDR5.

@11:56 You can see it's using drivers over a year old!

Kind of weird seeing a console that doesn't come with a proprietary controller design. Maybe they assume everyone buying this already has another console + controllers?
Click to expand...

runs windows 10 so just pick up some Xbox1 controlers or a PS4 controler if you want a mouse pad on it
 
DedEmbryonicCe11 said:
Kind of weird seeing a console that doesn't come with a proprietary controller design. Maybe they assume everyone buying this already has another console + controllers?
Click to expand...
They have their own controller, but I think it's optional. Maybe because it's a Console/PC so a controller isn't always needed, and most of the target audience probably have an xbox or ps controller?
AMD-Semi-Custom-Zen-Vega-SOC_3.jpg
 
DedEmbryonicCe11 said:
The specification sheet shown in the video says 8GB GDDR5.

@11:56 You can see it's using drivers over a year old!

Kind of weird seeing a console that doesn't come with a proprietary controller design. Maybe they assume everyone buying this already has another console + controllers?
Click to expand...

I was wondering about the ddr5 - thanks.
 
DedEmbryonicCe11 said:
The specification sheet shown in the video says 8GB GDDR5.

@11:56 You can see it's using drivers over a year old!

Kind of weird seeing a console that doesn't come with a proprietary controller design. Maybe they assume everyone buying this already has another console + controllers?
Click to expand...
Thx! Nice catch! :)
 
nifty, shame AMD did not release an even more pumped up APU for the north american market
if this one can use a GDDR5 based Vega, then why has AMD not released a similar version for full out GPU
i.e vega 24, or Vega 32 using GDDR5 (rumors big time that they were about to, I suppose this is the kind of rumor fulfilled)

I find it hilarious in terrible way that AMD can do everything exactly as they say they will, beat estimates (their own and analyst) and still their stock price does not jump nearly as high as it should be sitting, seeing the raw amount of product they have shipped in the last year or so (complete company turn around) along with insane amount of custom design (console) workstation etc etc.

something like 10 companies upped their estimate to be at $40 (or more) based on volume, design wins etc and still their stock price is up and down like a yo-yo, yet their 2 main rivals (Intel and Nv) seemingly can do whatever the hell they want and their stock price really does not bounce around anywhere close to as much, in the case of Nv is WAY overvalued (IMO) based on what they have done and continue to do.... I suppose ethics mean nothing in this world.

is funny because if AMD misses a launch date, or it does not do quite as well as people hope, stock takes massive hit, in case of Intel or Nv, they can rape baby puppies, slap nuns and their stock goes higher.. I just do not get it.
 
Seems like it could be a nice steam machine. I find odd that it doesn't come with SteamOS installed instead of windows IoT. Maybe MS is giving them a great price.
 
Stoly said:
Seems like it could be a nice steam machine. I find odd that it doesn't come with SteamOS installed instead of windows IoT. Maybe MS is giving them a great price.
Click to expand...

It's not really a console, it's just a Windows PC, boots into the Windows desktop. It's not Windows IoT but Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB.
 
heatlesssun said:
It's not really a console, it's just a Windows PC, boots into the Windows desktop. It's not Windows IoT but Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB.
Click to expand...
From what I've read its Windows 10 IoT Enterprise. Not LTSB.

Anyway, I think SteamOS would be a better choice as it would do pretty much the same as Windows IoT with a more "consolized" interface. And no need to pay a license.
 
Stoly said:
From what I've read its Windows 10 IoT Enterprise. Not LTSB.
Click to expand...

Take a look at the System info here:

Stoly said:
Anyway, I think SteamOS would be a better choice as it would do pretty much the same as Windows IoT with a more "consolized" interface. And no need to pay a license.
Click to expand...

And like I said easier, it's not a console but a Windows PC.
 
I'm surprised that it is a Subor console that is NOT a Famicom clone. I was expecting it to have a 60-pin cartridge slot with a 90,000-in-one (read: 9-in-one, repeated 10,000 times) cart included.

But yeah, those specs are really nice. Looks like something I might want to plug my TV into when I want to watch some stuff I have stored, or maybe some streams.
 
The specs aren't bad especially the Vega part of it. There is certainly hope yet for a 2200g/2400g APU successor on the not so distant horizon with a much more potent iGPU and bit more potent CPU.
 
I had read somewhere that GDDR, besides being more expensive, has more latency (worse) then ddr? Though the bandwidth is much better.

I guess it is still cheaper then trying to put two banks of ram on the mobo.

Do programs execute from GDDR ok? I suppose a big enough cache would help.

Anyone know about this?
 
Was there a price point mentioned?
(have not had a chance to do more than skim the article)
 
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