AMD Fires Back at Intel’s ‘Ancient Silicon’ Claim in Gaming Handhelds

AMD fires back after Intel says handheld makers are using “ancient silicon.” We break down the real chip differences, benchmarks, and what gamers should watch.

Introduction

The PC gaming handheld race is officially loud again—and this time, the trash talk is part of the show.

During CES 2026, Intel escalated its push into handheld gaming PCs by touting its new Core Ultra Series 3 “Panther Lake” platform and hinting at a custom handheld-focused derivative. In the same breath, an Intel executive took aim at AMD’s dominance in devices like Steam Deck-style handhelds, arguing that AMD-powered systems are leaning on “ancient silicon” rather than purpose-built, up-to-date tech. (PCWorld)

AMD didn’t let that sit.

In a roundtable interview shortly after, AMD’s Rahul Tikoo countered that handhelds aren’t just shrunken laptops—and that dropping a notebook chip into a handheld can mean hauling around unnecessary “baggage,” like extra I/O and interconnect complexity. In AMD’s framing, handhelds want graphics-first design, tight power management, and console-style optimization more than they want general-purpose mobile compute. (PCWorld)

So who’s right? The honest answer: both companies are cherry-picking the angle that flatters their roadmap. The useful question for gamers is simpler—what does this argument mean for the handheld you’ll buy next?

Why Intel is calling out “ancient silicon” in the first place

Intel’s critique isn’t totally random. AMD’s handheld lineup has become broader, and not every chip tier is cutting-edge across the board. In the lower tiers of AMD’s handheld-focused Z-series, there can be a mix of older CPU and GPU technologies designed to hit cost and availability targets for different device price points. That’s the backdrop Intel is leaning on when it labels some of AMD’s handheld silicon “ancient.” (PCWorld)

Intel, meanwhile, is trying to reposition itself as the “fresh start” option in handhelds by emphasizing:

• Newer integrated graphics architecture in Panther Lake-class chips
• A focus on battery life and performance-per-watt
• A plan for a custom variant tuned specifically for handheld needs, rather than a one-size-fits-all mobile part (PCWorld)

In other words, Intel wants handheld buyers to think: “AMD is recycling; Intel is purpose-building.”

AMD’s rebuttal: handhelds are closer to consoles than laptops

AMD’s response is grounded in a real design philosophy: handhelds are power-limited, thermally constrained, and graphics-driven. AMD argues it has an advantage because it has spent years building semi-custom chips for consoles—systems that prioritize smooth frame pacing, high GPU utilization, and predictable performance under tight power envelopes. (PCWorld)

AMD’s Tikoo also took a direct shot at the idea of notebook silicon automatically winning in handhelds, suggesting that if you put a laptop-oriented chip into a handheld without rethinking what’s inside, you end up carrying features the device doesn’t need—at the expense of efficiency. (PCWorld)

That’s the heart of AMD’s “baggage” argument:

• Handhelds don’t benefit as much from heavy I/O capability
• They care more about graphics, battery life, and tuned software stacks
• A handheld chip should be designed around that reality, not adapted after the fact (PCWorld)

The subtext: benchmarks, marketing, and “fair fights”

This isn’t just a silicon debate—it’s a messaging war over performance claims.

At CES, both sides used comparisons that critics say can confuse more than clarify. One of the recurring complaints: comparing a vendor’s latest flagship against a competitor’s midrange—or against different power modes—can produce dramatic charts that don’t reflect what buyers experience in real handheld usage. (PC Gamer)

AMD also pushed back on how Intel frames its efficiency advantage, referencing lab testing and discussion around how some chips behave differently when plugged in versus running on battery (DC mode). That matters in handhelds because “plugged-in performance” is not the handheld lifestyle most people are buying for. (PCWorld)

Meanwhile, Intel’s story is that its approach—especially around efficiency cores and platform tuning—can deliver the battery life handheld owners crave without sacrificing the frame rates that make games feel good. (PCWorld)

The practical takeaway: when you see a bold handheld benchmark headline, ask two quick questions:

1. Was it tested at the same wattage? (15W vs 30W can flip the narrative.)

2. Was it tested on battery in a handheld-like configuration?

If either answer is “no,” treat the chart like marketing, not truth.

Why this matters for the handhelds coming in 2026

This spat is happening because the market is finally big enough to fight over.

AMD’s chips already power the majority of PC gaming handhelds, and that incumbency brings major advantages:

• Mature drivers and tuning in popular handheld designs
• A known performance profile at common handheld power targets
• Deep relationships with OEMs building Steam Deck-style devices (PCWorld)

Intel is trying to change the story with a dedicated push—suggesting it’s not only serious about handhelds, but prepared to design silicon specifically for them. (PCWorld)

If Intel follows through with a truly handheld-optimized variant (not just a repackaged laptop chip), it could create real competition where it matters most:

• Better performance at 15–20 watts
• Higher-quality 1% lows (less stutter)
• More consistent unplugged gaming performance
• Stronger integrated GPU throughput without wrecking battery life

And if AMD responds by tightening its own stack—keeping prices flexible while ensuring its popular handheld SKUs don’t feel “recycled”—buyers win twice: more choices and better pricing pressure.

What gamers should watch instead of the drama

Brand shots are fun, but handheld buying decisions come down to a handful of measurable realities.

1) Performance-per-watt at 15–20W
This is where handhelds live. Desktop-style bragging rights don’t matter if the chip needs 30W to shine.

2) Unplugged consistency
A handheld that performs great plugged in but drops noticeably on battery defeats the purpose.

3) Real device design
Cooling, fan curves, memory configuration, and firmware often matter as much as the chip name.

4) Software features and support
Upscaling tech, frame generation approaches, driver stability, and quick updates can turn “good silicon” into a great handheld experience. AMD explicitly pointed to software (like its graphics ecosystem) and platform relationships as part of its handheld strategy. (PCWorld)

5 FAQs with answers

FAQ 1: What did Intel mean by “ancient silicon” in handheld gaming PCs?

Intel was criticizing the idea that some AMD handheld chips—especially lower tiers—may rely on older CPU/GPU technology mixes to keep costs down, rather than using the newest designs across every model. (PCWorld)

FAQ 2: How did AMD respond to Intel’s claim?

AMD argued that handhelds need purpose-built chips optimized for graphics and efficiency, and that putting notebook silicon into handhelds can mean dragging around unnecessary features (“baggage”) that don’t help gaming performance-per-watt. (PCWorld)

FAQ 3: Is Intel Panther Lake actually designed for handhelds?

Intel says it plans a custom derivative optimized for handheld gaming PCs, rather than simply dropping in a standard mobile chip. (PCWorld)

FAQ 4: Should I avoid AMD handhelds because of this “ancient” comment?

Not automatically. Most handheld performance is determined by wattage tuning, cooling, memory, and software support. The “ancient silicon” line is marketing—use it as a prompt to check reviews for your exact device model.

FAQ 5: What benchmarks matter most for handheld gaming PCs?

Look for tests at the same wattage (especially 15–20W), on-battery results, and data that includes 1% lows and frame pacing—not just average FPS.

Conclusion

Intel calling AMD’s handheld chips “ancient silicon” is the kind of line that grabs headlines—but it’s also a sign that handheld gaming PCs are now important enough to spark a real platform war. Intel is betting that Panther Lake-class improvements and a handheld-tuned variant can break AMD’s grip. AMD is betting that its console-style DNA, purpose-built handheld strategy, and software ecosystem will keep it on top. (PCWorld)

For buyers, the win isn’t picking a side in the feud—it’s watching what competition forces both companies to deliver: better unplugged performance, higher efficiency at handheld wattages, and more capable integrated graphics in devices you can actually afford.