With PL2 set to a higher value than PL1, the MSI Claw 8 AI+ reportedly performs at least 10% better than with the previous settings.
MSI Releases New Software Update, Setting PL2 at 1W Higher Than PL1 at the Minimum, Allowing the Handheld to Gain a Significant Boost in Performance
[Update - 8/15/25] - Intel forwarded us a statement regarding this article, stating that they haven't changed anything on their side since the last driver update from April for their Lunar Lake CPUs.
They state that the setting used by TechPowerUp was manually setting the PL1=PL2, which leads to poor performance. Hence, the significant increase in performance when manual PL2 settings were used such as 30W. MSI's own official and default settings/presets don't set the PL1 to match the PL2. The Lunar Lake spec recommended and set by Intel should always be 37W, and if you want a tighter spread during your testing, Intel recommends the PL2 to be at least 1W higher than PL1. The MSI Claw update from last week was designed to ensure the PL2 is always 1W higher than PL2, so that users who were manually adjusting the power limits for their devices didn't hurt the performance of their device.
The only Lunar Lake-based gaming handheld was apparently held by a particular setting, which unknowingly caused a major impact on the MSI Claw 8 AI+'s performance. Techpowerup reports that in their review, they matched the power limits, PL2 to PL1, which supposedly shouldn't be equal, but it stops the handheld from reaching its full potential. After Intel's message, they conducted the test again, and thankfully, MSI rolled out the new Center M app update soon enough that it locks the PL2 to at least 1W higher than PL1.
This way, the values for both power limits cannot be equal, and a higher PL2 would allow the Lunar Lake chip to extract more performance. As per Intel, it's best to set 37W as the value for PL2, which is the maximum TDP for Lunar Lake chips. With the latest software update and the same GPU drivers used previously, Techpowerup was able to achieve a nearly 10% boost in performance across majority of games and in some cases, up to 30%.
The charts show that Cyberpunk 2077 and Space Marine 2 were heavily influenced by the new update. Space Marine 2 showcased a performance boost of nearly 31% at 15W, easily crushing the ROG Ally and the ZOTAC Zone handhelds. At 25W and 30W, we saw nearly 5-10% better performance in multiple games at 1080p and even better 1% Lows than before.
That said, users who own the MSI Claw 8 AI+ handheld should update to the latest version of the MSI Center M to see the boost out of the box. With the new settings, the MSI Claw 8 easily climbs to the top spot, comfortably beating the ZOTAC Zone and the ROG Ally. Unlike previously, in lower power mode (15W), the Claw 8 will not only increase battery life but also deliver higher frame rates for smoother gameplay. Of course, one would be better off by lowering the resolution to 720p or 800p for a satisfactory gameplay experience, but the new FPS boost will now be noticeable.
About the author: Sarfraz Khan is a hardware reporter with a focus on PC components and the builder community. With years of experience writing about PC hardware and laptops, his work has been featured on several reputable technology publications. Sarfraz's hands-on experience is demonstrated through his first-person accounts of using and comparing different hardware configurations, providing practical and relatable insights for everyday users. His technical analysis is respected by peers in the enthusiast community and has been cited by specialized hardware sites such as Germany's Igor's Lab.
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