Intel has informed reviewers of some subtle changes that are recommended to extract the maximum performance out of Lunar Lake gaming handhelds. It seems that the out-of-the-box configuration of the MSI Claw 8 AI+ A2VM caused some sort of bug that limited the CPU’s performance. To avoid it, Intel recommends configuring the Core Ultra 7 258V Lunar Lake CPU’s PL2 (Power Limit 2) at least 1W higher than PL1.
After receiving this information, folks at TechPowerUp went back to test the MSI Claw 8 AI+ and measure the performance gains. While Intel indicated that the uplifts of such a change are expected to be around 10%, TechPowerUp measured up to 30% in some instances. To be more specific, setting PL2 higher than PL1 delivered the biggest gains in Cyberpunk 2077 and Space Marine 2, which saw nearly a 30% bump. However, titles like Shadow of the Tomb Raider saw only about a 10% boost. Control, on the other hand, managed to claim the same 10%, but only when the handheld was set to 30W.
That said, there were games, such as Hogwarts Legacy, where the improvements were negligible, within the margin of error. But in general, the new PL states recommendations offer measurable gains, explaining why the new update no longer allows you to set the exact limit for both PL1 and PL2. A fantastic change from those who already own or plan to get this Intel-powered gaming handheld.
Personally, I am more impressed by the low TDP improvements, which can enhance the experience while maintaining a longer playtime on battery. The Intel chip was already powerful when it came to efficient operation, as shown by previous tests from ETA Prime on YouTube, and now it’s getting better. TechPowerUp said that the MSI Claw 8 AI+ A2VM handheld is the highest-performing device they have tested across the board, even surpassing AMD-based devices.
So, if you own a Claw 8 AI+, make sure to check your Center M app for any pending updates. There is no reason to miss this upgrade, especially as it doesn’t seem to have any negative effects.
