Win Max 2: Valve would like to optimize SteamOS for consoles with Ryzen 7 6800U

GPD recently presented its new handheld console “Win Max 2”, which is practically a small notebook with a gamepad. Accordingly, the console offers a larger screen than, for example, Nintendo’s Switch or Valve’s Steam Deck. The Win Max 2 is available with either a Core i7-1260P CPU from Intel or AMD’s Ryzen 7-6800M APU. The latter variant with an RDNA2-based graphics unit and 12 compute units is more suitable for gaming than the Intel model, as a recent test revealed.

Ryzen 7 6800U-based SteamOS for handhelds

Valve’s handheld Steam Deck also uses an AMD system, as does the SteamOS operating system, which is not optimized in the case of the Win Max 2 with Ryzen APU. That may change soon, because as GDP reports on the Indiegogo website for Win Max 2, Valve is said to have approached the company in March about a collaboration. As part of this, Valve had to optimize the SteamOS for the 6800U console. This would make the operating system fit for Zen3+ and even more powerful RDNA2 graphics.

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Valve would also be willing to sell Win Max 2 with its own operating system on its Steam website. GDP will meanwhile agree to the proposal, because this cooperation is the best, as they write. However, the optimization process for the Win Max 2 should take half a year.

It is still unclear when there will ultimately be Ryzen 7 6800U consoles with SteamOS instead of Windows. In any case, the SteamOS ecosystem will also be extended to third-party providers. In addition to GDP, other console manufacturers such as Ayaneo, Ayn and Aokzoe could also benefit. The latter’s gaming handheld, the A1 with Ryzen 7 6800U, is now also available for pre-order.

Source: GDP on Indiegogo via Videocardz