Steam Deck 2: Is AMD Gainsborough the chip Valve’s been waiting for?

Fritzchens Fritz " data-portal-copyright="Photo by Fritzchens Fritz " data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/10/53420776536_b9dede69df_k.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" /> The Steam Deck LCD’s “Aerith” APU. |

Fritzchens Fritz " data-portal-copyright="Photo by Fritzchens Fritz " data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/10/53420776536_b9dede69df_k.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" /> The Steam Deck LCD’s “Aerith” APU. | Photo by Fritzchens Fritz The Steam Deck is four and a half years old, and handheld gamers are eagerly awaiting a Steam Deck 2 - but Valve has consistently said it needs a new chip with a "generational leap" in performance and efficiency before building the sequel. There's some reason to believe that chip has now broken cover: AMD Gainsborough.

But I'm a tad skeptical. As leaker Moore's Law is Dead and IT Home report, the latest AMD drivers have leaked the codename for a previously unknown chip: an "AMD Gainsborough." The first Steam Deck chip was named "Aerith" after Final Fantasy VII 's heartbreaking love interest, and Gainsborough is her last name. Plus, the chip … Read the full story at The Verge.