Qualcomm (NASDAQ:QCOM) has announced the launch of its new Snapdragon X Elite chip, a product of their refined SoC and processor development strategy. The high-performance chip is set to compete with Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL)'s M2 chip in Windows laptops and is expected to debut in mid-2024.
The Snapdragon X Elite, constructed on a 4nm process, employs an Oryon three-cluster CPU configuration with twelve 3.8GHZ cores that can boost to 4.3GHz for two cores during AI generation or other intensive tasks. The chip supports the LPDDR5x memory standard, currently the fastest for PCs, and accommodates up to 64GB of LPDDR5x-8533 memory.
The new chip also features Adreno integrated graphics offering up to 4.6 TFLOPS of GPU performance and DirectX 12 support. It showcases superior display capabilities, handling larger workspaces with two 5K external displays, three external UHD displays, or onboard displays at 4K with a 120Hz refresh rate. However, the real-life performance of these features is yet to be determined.
In terms of connectivity, the Snapdragon X Elite supports WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, USB4, and multiple cameras via a dual 18-bit Qualcomm Spectra image signal processor. Device makers have the option to opt for the Snapdragon X65 modem for 4G/5G connectivity.
The Hexagon NPU, rated for 45 TOPs, underscores Qualcomm's commitment to AI. Qualcomm claims an impressive 100x increase in operations per second over unnamed leading competitors and efficient artificial operations processing with this new chip. High-end Qualcomm sound processing equips the X Elite with lossless audio.
The company touts the Snapdragon X Elite as a robust processor that offers double the CPU performance at the same power usage as Intel’s 12-core i7 and requires 65% less power for similar performance to a 14-core i7. Despite its AI focus, the SoC maintains efficient cooling and battery life.
However, it's worth noting that a fast processor alone doesn't ensure a good Windows PC user experience; software compatibility is crucial. Qualcomm's chips have previously struggled with slower speeds than Apple's chips and inefficient x86 Windows apps on Qualcomm-equipped PCs. Consequently, the potential of the Snapdragon X Elite in making PCs competitive with those featuring Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) or AMD chips remains to be seen.
The Snapdragon X Elite is set to compete with next-gen chips like Intel’s Meteor Lake and AMD’s Ryzen 8000 upon its release. With its advanced features and potential, the chip represents Qualcomm's efforts to stake its claim in the high-performance chip market.
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