MSI Claw 8 AI Gains Performance with Windows 11 Full‑Screen Experience

Introduction

Microsoft’s recent rollout of the Full‑Screen Experience (FSE) for Windows 11 handheld devices has brought a noticeable boost to the MSI Claw 8 AI. Available through the Windows 11 Dev and Beta Insider channels, the feature eliminates the need for community hacks and promises a more streamlined gaming environment. This article examines how FSE impacts RAM usage, game performance, battery life, and overall user experience on the Claw 8 AI.

What Is the Full‑Screen Experience?

The Full‑Screen Experience is a Windows 11 mode specifically designed for handheld PCs. It replaces the traditional desktop with a lightweight Xbox‑style interface, reducing background processes and freeing system resources for games. Initially launched on ASUS ROG Ally devices, the preview now extends to the MSI Claw series and other OEM handhelds.

Key Benefits

• Reduced RAM footprint – Microsoft claims up to 2 GB of RAM can be reclaimed.
• Integrated Game Bar – Direct access to power‑management tools like MSI Center M.
• Simplified UI – A console‑like overlay that launches games quickly.

Enabling Full‑Screen Experience on the Claw 8 AI

1. Install the Windows 11 Dev or Beta Insider build (build 22H2 22621.7051 or later).
2. Open Settings → Gaming → Full‑Screen Experience.
3. Toggle Enable Full‑Screen Experience on startup.
4. Reboot the device; the system will launch directly into the Xbox interface.

The setup process is straightforward and does not require any third‑party modifications.

RAM Usage: Desktop vs. Full‑Screen Mode

A primary claim of FSE is RAM savings. Using the Task Manager on a Claw 8 AI equipped with 32 GB of RAM, the following observations were recorded:

• Desktop mode: ~7.3 GB total memory usage (including MSI Center M and Xbox app).
• Full‑Screen Experience: ~6.2 GB total memory usage.

While the 1.1 GB reduction falls short of the advertised 2 GB, the gain is more meaningful on devices with 16 GB of RAM, where the reclaimed memory can be reallocated to VRAM, potentially improving graphics performance.

Game Performance Benchmarks

Performance was measured across several titles at two power envelopes (30 W and 17 W) and a resolution of 1200p. All tests used identical graphics settings in both desktop and FSE modes.

30 W TDP (Medium presets)

• Cyberpunk 2077: 55.4 FPS (desktop) → 61.2 FPS (FSE) – ~10% uplift.
• Forza Horizon 5: 73 FPS (desktop) → 76 FPS (FSE) – modest gain.

17 W TDP (Low/Medium presets)

• Cyberpunk 2077: 42 FPS (desktop) → 44 FPS (FSE).
• Shadow of the Tomb Raider: 54 FPS (both modes) – no measurable change.
• Black Myth: Wukong: Slight increase in FPS under FSE.

The performance boost appears tied to reduced CPU overhead when the desktop environment is disabled. The Intel Core i7‑12700H (referred to as “258V”) can fully utilize its eight cores, and freeing background tasks allows more cycles for game threads.

Summary of Results

• Consistent FPS gains in CPU‑bound titles (e.g., Cyberpunk 2077).
• Minimal or no improvement in GPU‑bound games where the CPU is not the bottleneck.
• Higher power envelope (30 W) yields more noticeable benefits than the low‑power (17 W) setting.

Battery Life Considerations

Testing with low‑intensity indie games showed no measurable difference in battery drain between desktop and FSE modes. The expectation that reduced background activity would extend runtime was not met, suggesting that power consumption is still dominated by the GPU and display rather than CPU idling.

User Experience and Interface

While the technical advantages are clear, the FSE UI has several shortcomings:

• Limited customization – The Xbox overlay lacks the theme flexibility of Steam Big Picture or MSI Center.
• Sparse application launcher – Only game launchers are auto‑detected; users must manually add utilities (e.g., hardware monitors) via Steam’s “Add a non‑Steam game” workaround.
• Initial boot to Xbox UI – Some users may find the transition from a familiar Windows desktop jarring.

These issues indicate that Microsoft’s handheld UI is still in a nascent stage and will require refinement to match the polish of competing platforms.

Outlook for Handheld Gaming on Windows

The expansion of Full‑Screen Experience to the MSI Claw series marks a significant step toward broader OEM support for Windows‑based handhelds. Future updates are expected to:

• Optimize RAM reclamation closer to the promised 2 GB.
• Introduce a richer app launcher and UI theming options.
• Improve power‑management integration for longer battery life.

As more manufacturers adopt the feature, the Windows ecosystem could become a compelling alternative to dedicated Linux‑based handhelds like the Steam Deck.

Conclusion

Microsoft’s Full‑Screen Experience delivers tangible benefits for the MSI Claw 8 AI, especially in RAM savings and CPU‑bound game performance. While the UI still feels raw and battery gains are modest, the feature showcases Windows 11’s potential as a versatile handheld gaming platform. Continued refinements and wider OEM adoption will be key to realizing a seamless, high‑performance handheld experience.