Unveiled is the GPD's Strix Halo, a handheld gaming PC with battery-optional feature, leaving doubts about its practicality in me.
The GPD Win 5, a new gaming handheld device, has been making waves in the gaming community. Powered by the AMD Strix Halo, this device promises high-performance gaming on the go. However, its price and thermal management remain uncertain.
In terms of power consumption, during gameplay, the GPD Win 5 draws approximately 56 Watts for the CPU and 55 Watts for the GPU. This high power demand necessitates an unconventional approach to power management. The GPD Win 5 lacks an internal battery and instead uses an 80Wh "backpack" battery for portable power[1][3]. This design choice allows the core handheld unit to be significantly lighter when used while plugged into its 180W power adapter, offering flexibility for users who mostly game near power sources[1].
However, the need for an external battery affects portability since to use the device truly on the go, carrying the external battery pack is essential[1]. The battery pack is hot-swappable and snaps onto the handheld, providing about an hour of battery life at peak performance due to the high power draw from its AMD Ryzen AI Max processor and integrated Radeon GPU[2]. This setup contrasts with typical handhelds that have integrated batteries, potentially making the GPD Win 5 bulkier and less convenient for some users in portable scenarios because the external battery adds size and must be managed separately[1][2][3].
James Bentley, a PC gaming writer who started writing about gaming in 2019, has been following the development of the GPD Win 5. In a first look, the thermal performance of the device seems acceptable, with the top vents reaching around 57 degrees Celsius and the screen around 47 degrees[1]. However, the Ryzen AI Max 395 chip is power-hungry and runs hot, which could potentially impact the overall thermal management of the device.
The GPD Win 5's main competitor, the Strix Point powered OneXPlayer OneXFly F1 Pro, a more powerful and expensive device, ran more efficiently than the GPD Win 5[1]. The release date and pricing for the GPD Win 5 are not yet known.
While the GPD Win 5 offers high-performance gaming in a handheld format, its unique power management system, which includes an external battery, adds complexity and potentially reduces portability. This trade-off is a deliberate decision aimed at balancing high performance with flexibility, but it does impact how portable the device feels in practical use[1][2][3].
[1] GPD Win 5 Official YouTube Channel [2] GPD Win 5 Product Page [3] GPD Win 5 User Manual
- The GPD Win 5, a high-performance gaming handheld device, uses an unconventional power management system that includes an 80Wh "backpack" battery, making it bulkier and less convenient for some users in portable scenarios.
- Unlike other handhelds with integrated batteries, the GPD Win 5's battery pack adds size and needs to be managed separately, affecting its portability.
- During gameplay, the GPD Win 5 draws a significant amount of power, with approximately 56 Watts for the CPU and 55 Watts for the GPU, necessitating an unconventional approach to power management.
- The GPD Win 5's competitors, such as the Strix Point powered OneXPlayer OneXFly F1 Pro, may run more efficiently due to better power management.
- As fans eagerly await the release date and pricing for the GPD Win 5, they must consider its unique power management system and how it may impact the device's portability and overall user experience.
