AMD caused perhaps an equal amount of outcry and confusion following a few announcements surrounding the future of older RDNA 1 and RDNA 2 graphics cards, and in turn, integrated graphics solutions using these older architectures. After previously implying new game support is being dropped on the two oldest RDNA generations, AMD later confirmed this isn’t the case. Still, the older generations are still entering what you may consider a ‘maintenance mode’.

The good news is these older generations will still get new game support, stability and game optimizations, as well as securitiy and bug fixes, but the driver codebase has been separated from RDNA 3 and RDNA 4. AMD says RDNA 1 and RDNA 2 (RX 5000 and RX 6000 series GPUs) has been moved to a separate “optimized driver path” to maintain stability and optimization for “current and future games”.

The newer RDNA 3 and RDNA 4 (RX 7000 and RX 9000 series GPUs) have been given priority to allow AMD’s engineers to work on new features for the newer branch. The first thing that comes to mind is FSR 4, which is currently exclusive to the RX 9000 series, but is rumored to come to RX 7000 cards in the coming months.

The problem is; while RDNA 1 is much less relevant these days, RDNA 2 architecture is still relied on for current-gen hardware. AMD may have moved on for its latest Radeon graphics cards, but gaming PC handhelds is a particular market which continues to rely on RDNA 2-based graphics, even in tech released as recently as last month.

Which new & relevant devices use RDNA 2?

RX 6000 series graphics cards are now five years old, but there are several examples of current-gen tech still using RDNA 2. The graphics architecture remains relevant in many AMD-built SoCs for devices such as handhelds and games consoles.

PC gaming handhelds

• Steam Deck
• ROG Xbox Ally (non-X)
• Lenovo Legion Go S

Consoles

• PlayStation 5 Pro
• PlayStation 5
• Xbox Series X
• Xbox Series S

Laptops

• Ryzen 9000HX series laptops

Aside from the handhelds listed above, you’ll also find RDNA 2 architecture in any other handheld powered by the Ryzen Z2 Go or Ryzen Z2 A chips, both of which are current-gen are were launched earlier this year. RDNA 2 is of course found in RX 6000-era laptops, but the architecture also exists in some 7000 series models, and as seen above, 9000HX series mobile processors.

About the Author

Jack Goodall

At PC Guide, Jack is mostly responsible for reporting on hardware deals. He also specializes in monitors, TVs, and headsets and can be found putting his findings together in a review or best-of guide.