Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition on MSI Claw 8 EX AI+

Steam Deck Playable · faster GPUValve's ratingEstimate · medium confidence, ±20%

Yes. Valve rates Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition Steam Deck Playable, and the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ has a faster GPU than the Steam Deck OLED. At its native 1920×1200 we estimate ~193 fps on the ultra preset (range 154–232, medium confidence, ±20%). 60 fps is reachable on the ultra preset. Model estimate, not measured; data updated 2026-09-24.

Estimated FPS at native 1920×1200

Preset	Native 1920×1200	Range	Rendered at 1280×800
low	218	174–262	218
medium	198	158–238	198
high	198	158–238	198
ultra	193	154–232	198

Estimate · medium confidence, ±20%

Estimated FPS from our model (v0), based on the game's published requirements and relative GPU/CPU performance. Not measured. Real results vary with drivers, patches, and scenes. Values above 300 fps show as 300+. Data updated 2026-09-24.

Presets for 30 / 40 / 60 fps

30 fps at 1920×1200: ultra preset
40 fps at 1920×1200: ultra preset
60 fps at 1920×1200: ultra preset
40 fps rendered at 1280×800: ultra preset
60 fps rendered at 1280×800: ultra preset

Intel Arc graphics: use XeSS (runs best on Arc) or FSR in quality or balanced mode before dropping the preset. DLSS is not available.

Frame cap and power

Screen: 1920×1200, 120 Hz, 80 Wh battery.
Even frame caps for 120 Hz: 30, 40, 60, 120 fps. At ultra (low end of the range 154 fps), a 120 fps cap should hold steady.
TDP: not measured yet. We don't publish wattage advice until we have measured runs.

Steam Deck rating

Valve rates Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition Steam Deck Playable (tested on Steam Deck, not on the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+).

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition on other handhelds (ultra preset, native resolution)

Handheld	Screen	FPS at native	FPS at 1280×800	Verdict
MSI Claw 8 EX AI+	1920×1200	193	198	Steam Deck Playable · faster GPU
ROG Xbox Ally X	1920×1080	151	187	Steam Deck Playable · faster GPU
ROG Xbox Ally X20	1920×1080	151	187	Steam Deck Playable · faster GPU
Legion Go 2	1920×1200	135	180	Steam Deck Playable · faster GPU
MSI Claw 8 AI+	1920×1200	135	151	Steam Deck Playable · faster GPU
MSI Claw A8	1920×1200	135	180	Steam Deck Playable · faster GPU
MSI Claw 7 AI+	1920×1080	137	151	Steam Deck Playable · faster GPU
ROG Ally X	1920×1080	130	166	Steam Deck Playable · faster GPU
Legion Go	2560×1600	77	162	Steam Deck Playable · faster GPU
ROG Ally (Ryzen Z1 Extreme)	1920×1080	117	162	Steam Deck Playable · faster GPU
Legion Go S (Ryzen Z1 Extreme)	1920×1200	110	162	Steam Deck Playable · faster GPU
Legion Go 2 (Ryzen Z2)	1920×1200	110	162	Steam Deck Playable · faster GPU
Steam Deck OLED	1280×800	97	97	Steam Deck Playable
Steam Deck LCD	1280×800	94	94	Steam Deck Playable
ROG Xbox Ally	1920×1080	89	101	Well above recommended
Legion Go S	1920×1200	83	126	Well above recommended
MSI Claw A1M	1920×1080	89	138	Well above recommended
ROG Ally (Ryzen Z1)	1920×1080	69	107	Meets recommended

Native = each device's own screen resolution; 1280×800 compares GPUs at the same render resolution. A faster handheld is the upgrade path here; desktop cards don't apply.