---
title: "AMD's Next-Generation Chip Rumored to be Gainsborough"
url: https://noti.group/amd-s-next-generation-chip-rumored-to-be-gainsborough/
language: en
publisher: "Noti Group"
section: "Technology"
published: 2026-10-01T18:52:58.000Z
updated: 2026-10-01T19:33:36.051Z
id: d62dce00-4659-4e26-b0cd-6d20817db884
source: "The Verge https://www.theverge.com/games/1003593/steam-deck-2-is-amd-gainsborough-the-chip-valves-been-waiting-for"
attribution: "Link to https://noti.group/amd-s-next-generation-chip-rumored-to-be-gainsborough/ and name Noti Group when you quote or summarize this story."
---

# AMD's Next-Generation Chip Rumored to be Gainsborough

Rumors suggest that AMD's Gainsborough chip may be the one Valve has been waiting for in order to proceed with the Steam Deck 2.

The wait for a Steam Deck 2 has been ongoing for over four years, with handheld gamers eagerly anticipating an upgrade to Valve's popular portable gaming console. However, Valve has consistently emphasized that it needs a new chip with significant performance and efficiency gains before proceeding with the sequel.

Rumors are emerging about the identity of this next-generation chip, suggesting that AMD's Gainsborough might be the one Valve has been waiting for. This speculation is based on several factors, including the naming convention used by AMD for its chips.

AMD has a history of naming its custom-designed chips after characters from popular video games. The first Steam Deck chip was named Aerith, after Final Fantasy VII's Aerith Gainsborough, and it appears that this trend may be continuing with the introduction of Gainsborough as the next-generation chip.

Import records indicate that AMD has already begun shipping test equipment for the Gainsborough chip to a potential customer, which could suggest that Valve is in the process of evaluating its suitability for use in the Steam Deck 2.

The specifications of AMD's next handheld chips, the Ryzen Z3 and Z3 Extreme, have been revealed by a leaker. According to this information, these chips will be 25mm by 25mm in size, which is the same dimensions as the Gainsborough chip mentioned earlier.

This revelation does not necessarily confirm that Gainsborough is destined for the Steam Deck 2. The path from design to product can be unpredictable, and semi-custom chips are often designed with multiple applications in mind.

The Steam Deck's own custom chip was reportedly not originally intended for the handheld console but was instead conceived for a Magic Leap headset. It was later considered for other tablets before Valve decided to use it.

AMD is responsible for assigning codenames such as "Aerith", "Sephiroth" and "Gainsborough". These names have no direct connection to Valve's product lineup, according to information obtained from the company's designers during a visit in 2023.

The Aerith wafer, a component seen at Valve's headquarters, has sparked speculation about the company's plans for its next-generation Steam Deck console. This evidence suggests that Valve is not tied to specific names mentioned earlier, which had led some to speculate about the identity of the new chip.

Further investigation into AMD's product lineup reveals that the 25mm by 25mm Gainsborough chip may be a prime candidate for the Steam Deck 2. Interestingly, this size is larger than the original Aerith chip, which measured 19mm by 19mm before its Sephiroth revision removed unused components.

Despite the potential advantages of the Gainsborough chip, Valve's plans for the Steam Deck 2 remain unclear. As of last month, the company was still figuring out how and when to proceed with a new console, after receiving these chips, which may have been delayed due to this year's hardware issues.

---
Source: [The Verge](https://www.theverge.com/games/1003593/steam-deck-2-is-amd-gainsborough-the-chip-valves-been-waiting-for)  
Published by Noti Group: https://noti.group/amd-s-next-generation-chip-rumored-to-be-gainsborough/