Intel's Arc G3 Extreme changes the handheld game - MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ Review

[Redaktion]

MSI's Claw 8 EX AI+ is the first device with Intel's first dedicated handheld SoC Arc G3 Extreme, which features the powerful Arc B390 iGPU. The result is a completely new level of performance, easily beating AMD's dedicated Z2 Extreme handheld chip.

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Intel-s-Arc-G3-Extreme-changes-the-handheld-game-MSI-Claw-8-EX-AI-Review.1325574.0.html

[Jakub]

Really appreciate you guys running Cinebench 2024 on this brand new chip to show us what it's capable of! Thank you so much for doing that!

[StorageEngineer]

The nvme disk is basically sitting on top of the CPU that can heat up to 100C during load (and will since this is a gaming unit). A storage flash chip is literally 2cm away from a heat source - a major design flaw, this will have huge negative impact on the storage and fast. Expect mass warranty claims in the next 6 - 12 months.

[Desmo]

I'm not very sure. On the MSI Claw 8 ai+ a modification was designed to install a 2280 SSD just like on the new MSI Claw 8 EX Ai+. In fact, it was positioned right ABOVE the heatpipe and none of the people who implemented the modification had problems in a year of use

[Banned Account]

Interesting, think this might be the first panther lake device with SD express card support. First non switch 2 handheld to do so too.

Also notable, is Phawx did a memory bandwidth test and found it was doing 200+ GB/s with only a 128 bit bus using Intel's compression memory tech.

CPU that can heat up to 100C during load
...
A storage flash chip is literally 2cm away from a heat source - a major design flaw

According to Phawx's review, he ran a stress test and it didn't go above 80°C.

If someone mainly uses endurance mode, which limits tdp further so it doesn't use anymore than 15w (20w total), would this still be a cause for concern?

Only so much space in a handheld. Even if they were to use smaller form factor nvme drive and move it away, would just make another critical component close to the heat source like battery which is just as bad.

Wonder how the switch 2 deals with it. Or using extremely low clocked old arm cpus that barely generate any heat is the solution?

Unfortunately, don't think any of this matters at the price being charged here ($1800), nobody is going to buy this.

[StorageEngineer]

I'm not very sure. On the MSI Claw 8 ai+ a modification was designed to install a 2280 SSD just like on the new MSI Claw 8 EX Ai+. In fact, it was positioned right ABOVE the heatpipe and none of the people who implemented the modification had problems in a year of use

Lets hope you are right but it is well known fact in the industry that extensive writes and prolonged high SSD temperatures are the major factor in disk failures. This is the reason why designers put ssd sticks far away from heat sources in a laptops, where space is more abundant since we discarded 2.5" form factor.
Also its worth noting that MSI chose to use here cheap QLC flash memory and that means the controller  have to differentiate 16 voltage states per cell and believe me - temperature doesn't help at all. I would put ssd copper heat radiator ASAP on this and pray for the best.

[StorageEngineer]

According to Phawx's review, he ran a stress test and it didn't go above 80°C.

I quoted 100°C because that is the official line before CPU starts to throttle. 80°C is still to much, if you install CrystalDiskInfo you will get alarms triggered at 70°C. The reviewers are usually getting "golden units": hand picked, triple checked and in stellar condition from a factory. But in real life after couple months of using dust start taking a toll on a device increasing operating temperatures and in that state the device will last through major of its lifespan.
Temp issues happened before in handhelds, just google "msi rog ally x sd card slot design flaw"

If someone mainly uses endurance mode, which limits tdp further so it doesn't use anymore than 15w (20w total), would this still be a cause for concern?

In that case i suspect you will get reduced fan performance, lower spin as fan noise "hygiene" takes priority. And lets be honest, no one pays that kind of money to play games at half performance. People will push it as far as it can go.

Even if they were to use smaller form factor nvme drive and move it away, would just make another critical component close to the heat source like battery which is just as bad.

You're right about the battery compromise. If i got to design it i would increase thickness of the handheld - they dont need to be notebook slim, they just need to be comfortable to hold. Look at the "legion go 2" aka thicc-boi, where they had even less space to work because of detachable controllers.

Or using extremely low clocked old arm cpus that barely generate any heat is the solution?

Not my arena of expertise but people which are after this kind of product usually want more performance not less. Reducing wattage and changing platforms would put it against gaming smartphones. Make it more thick i say!