Gaming UMPC "AYANEO NEXT" that allows you to enjoy PC games with 8 cores and 16 thread power

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Photo: Impress Watch

On February 25, High Beam Co., Ltd. started pre-ordering the 7-inch gaming UMPC "AYANEO NEXT" series equipped with AMD's "Ryzen 7 5800U" and "Ryzen 7 58 25U". [See another image about this article] The previous model "AYA NEO 2021" was equipped with Zen 2's 6-core 6-thread "Ryzen 5 4500U", but this time the AYA NEO NEXT series is Zen 3's 8-core 16 Equipped with AMD processor of thread. A significant performance improvement was achieved. In this review, in addition to reviews such as basic specifications and usability, let's check performance comparison with conventional models, performance in actual games, etc. ■ Three models with different CPU, memory, and storage are available The following three models are available in this series.・ "AYANEO NEXT Advance" (price undecided) * Limited to 400 units Ryzen 7 5800U / RAM 16GB / SSD 2TB ・ "AYANEO NEXT" (direct sales price from 153,800 yen) Ryzen 7 5825U / RAM 16GB / SSD 1TB or 2TB ・ "AYANEO NEXT" "Pro" (direct sales price 179,800 yen) Ryzen 7 5825U / RAM32GB / SSD2TB CPU is "AMD Ryzen 7 5800U" (8 cores 16 threads, 1.90-4.40GHz) and "AMD Ryzen 7 58 25U" of "Zen 3" core architecture Two types (8 cores 16 threads, 2.00 to 4.50 GHz) are available. It is combined with 16GB or 32GB of memory and a 1TB or 2TB SSD. Other specifications are common. The display uses a 7-inch IPS liquid crystal display (1,280 x 800 dots, 216ppi, 60Hz, brightness undisclosed, color gamut undisclosed, gloss, 5-point touch compatible, stylus non-compliant). Since it is a gaming UMPC, it does not have a webcam. The interface is equipped with USB Type-C (data transfer, DisplayPort 1.4, USB Power Delivery 3.0 compatible) x 2, 3.5 mm earphone jack x 1. Wireless communication supports Wi-Fi 6E (IEEE 802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.2. Keyboard is not installed. The controller is equipped with a left stick, cross key, view button, menu button, ABXY button, right stick, AYA key, custom key, LT, LB, RT, and RB buttons. In addition, a power button with a fingerprint authentication sensor and a volume button are also available. For feedback, X-axis linear motors are built into the left and right grips. The main body size is about 267 x 112 x 30 mm (width x depth x height), and the weight is about 720 g. It has a built-in 47Wh battery, and it is said that the battery drive time is about 2 to 6 hours when using the game. The texture of the body is quite high, and AYANEO NEXT Pro is available in five colors: SILVER, PASTEL BLUE, BRIGHT WHITE, MIDNIGHT BLUE, and JET BLACK. I borrowed PASTEL BLUE this time, but BRIGHT WHITE, which is a combination of white and orange, is also a wonderful color that does not look like a gaming device. ■ Operation feeling comparable to that of a game controller First, let's start with the usability of the game controller. I actually played "THE KING OF FIGHTERS XV", "GUILTY GEAR -STRIVE-", "God of War", etc. this time, and the operation feeling of the controller is good. A non-contact magnetic sensor "Hall sensor" is adopted for the joystick and trigger, improving the accuracy and durability of the controller. The pressing force of these buttons and levers may be properly tuned. It was especially easy to enter commands for fighting games. I think the operation feeling is comparable to that of the controller of a dedicated game machine. Although detailed specifications such as the color gamut of the display have not been announced, the sRGB coverage rate was 91.7% when measured with the color calibration device "i1Display Pro" and the chromaticity diagram creation software "ColorAC". The Adobe RGB coverage rate was 72.7%, and the DCI-P3 coverage rate was 76.1%. The color gamut is a little narrower than the latest mobile notebook PCs, but the difference is not so great that you will be dissatisfied with the color development when you actually play the game. On the other hand, the refresh rate of 60Hz seems to be unsatisfactory compared to the display of gaming notebook PCs, but the frame rate does not reach 120fps unless it is a very light PC game. Even with a high-powered AMD processor with 8 cores and 16 threads, a 60Hz display is the best match at the moment. This product has a built-in stereo speaker on the underside of the main unit. When the sound pressure level was actually measured, it was a maximum of 79.6 dBA (measured at a distance of 50 cm). The volume is small because it is more compact than a notebook PC, but it is necessary and sufficient because it is held in the hand and played. If you want to play with a more powerful sound, connect earphones or headphones. ■ Check the benchmark score up to 1.47 times that of the previous model Finally, let's check the performance. This time, the following benchmarks are carried out.・ Comprehensive benchmark "PCMark 10 v2.1.2519" ・ 3D benchmark "3DMark v2.19.7225" ・ CPU benchmark "CINEBENCH R23.200" ・ CPU benchmark "CINEBENCH R20.060" ・ CPU benchmark "CINEBENCH R15.0" ・ 3D game benchmark "FINAL FANTASY XV BENCHMARK" ・ 3D game benchmark "Final Fantasy XIV: Akatsuki no Finale Benchmark" ・ Storage benchmark "CrystalDiskMark 8.0.4" As a comparison target model, "AMD Ryzen 5 4500U" (6 cores 6 threads, 2.30 ~ "AYA NEO 2021" equipped with 4.00GHz) was adopted. Both models have scores with TDP set to 20W. Below are the specifications of the verification machine and the results. AYANEO NEXT Advance has recorded a score of about 1.18 times with PCMark 10 Score, about 1.23 times with Fire Strike of 3DMark, and about 1.24 times with Night Raid against AYA NEO 2021. The biggest difference was "FINAL FANTASY XIV: Akatsuki's Finale Benchmark", which scored 1.47 times. Even AYANEO NEXT Advance equipped with Ryzen 7 5800 U has achieved a performance improvement that can be fully experienced. It's a pity that I couldn't try the top-of-the-line AYANEO NEXT Pro with the Ryzen 7 58 25U this time. Also, I measured the frame rate with "MSI Afterburner", but the average frame rate during "FINAL FANTASY XIV: Akatsuki no Finale Benchmark" is 75.3fps, and the average frame rate during "FINAL FANTASY XV BENCH MARK" is At 31.9fps, the average frame rate during "God of War" was 25.6fps. When playing heavy AAA titles, you need to adjust the graphics quality. I expected that the heat generated by the CPU with 8 cores and 16 threads would be high, but the heat generated during "FINAL FANTASY XV BENCHMARK" was 35.1 ° C on the front and 36.5 ° C on the back (measured at room temperature 16.8 ° C). ). Since the heat generation of the controller part is low, it seems that you will not feel uncomfortable with the heat generation of the main body while playing the game. Regarding the battery drive time, when "PCMark 10 Modern Office Battery Life" was executed with a display brightness of 50%, the result was 4 hours and 54 minutes. Battery life varies greatly depending on the load of the game being played. That said, although it's only less than 5 hours, it has enough battery life for a gaming UMPC. ■ A big favorite as a handheld game machine that can play PC games on a stand-alone basis It is necessary to adjust the graphic settings for AAA titles, but there is no doubt that the AYANEO NEXT series has the highest class performance as a gaming UMPC. In addition, the operability of the controller is as good as that of a dedicated game machine. The AYANEO NEXT series can be said to be one of the big favorites as a portable game machine that can play PC games standalone.

PC Watch, Gian Suzuki