Steam Deck 2 to feature AMD processor with Zen 6 and RDNA 5

A mention of the semi-custom APU Gainsborough, which is being created exclusively for the next generation of Steam Deck, was discovered in the latest AMD Adrenalin 26.9.2 driver.

What is known about Gainsborough

The codename Gainsborough may be linked to the original Steam Deck. Its APU was called Aerith, named after Aerith Gainsborough from Final Fantasy VII. Therefore, the same character’s surname in the new chip’s name could be another hint of a connection to Valve.

According to insider Moore’s Law Is Dead, Gainsborough is listed in internal documents AMD as a semi-custom processor being developed by the S3 team. Several OEM manufacturers the insider spoke with have heard nothing about the chip, which may indicate it is being developed for a specific client.

Gainsborough also uses a separate FF6 BGA package with 1,179 pins, which distinguishes it from standard mass-market APU Ryzen chips.

According to MLID, the processor will be manufactured using TSMC’s N3P 3nm process and will feature Zen 6 and RDNA 5 architectures.

Estimated specifications:

• From 4 to 8 Zen 6C energy-efficient cores;
• From 12 to 24 RDNA 5 compute units;
• Valve continues work on Steam Deck 2.

Valve has confirmed it is working on the next generation of Steam Deck, but the company does not want to release a new model just for a faster processor. Steam Deck 2 requires a significant performance boost without a serious decline in battery life.

Rumors suggest the console could be released in 2028. Moore’s Law Is Dead considers late 2027 or 2028 a possible timeframe for the arrival of Gainsborough.

Competition with a portable PlayStation

Similar specifications are also attributed to a future portable Sony console. Its rumored APU Canis may also feature Zen 6, RDNA 5, and the TSMC N3P process.

According to leaks, Canis could be equipped with six processor cores and 16 RDNA 5 compute units, providing graphics performance higher than the Xbox Series S.

Engineering prototype

Moore’s Law Is Dead emphasizes that Gainsborough is still in the engineering project stage. The final specifications of the chip may still change.

Nevertheless, the insider considers its semi-custom design, codename, separate package, and the lack of information among OEMs as arguments in favor of the processor being created exclusively for Valve.