Snapdragon X Elite: Qualcomm takes on Apple, Intel and AMD
Qualcomm has announced that the Snapdragon X Elite is here to redefine the future of personal computing. Boasting incredible AI capabilities, impressive CPU performance, and blazing-fast connectivity, the Snapdragon X Elite is ready to challenge Intel, AMD and Apple.
Qualcomm has unveiled the Snapdragon X Elite, a new System-on-Chip (SoC) ready to challenge Intel's Core i7 and Apple's M processors. This announcement came during The Snapdragon Summit in October 2023. The Snapdragon X Elite is making waves with its 12 custom CPUs, boasting twice the CPU performance of its rivals while maintaining exceptional power efficiency.
Designed with a primary focus on the Windows-on-ARM platform, the Snapdragon X Elite promises users enhanced processing power, improved efficiency, and extended work time with prolonged battery life.
Key Specs For The Snapdragon X Elite
- CPU: 12x Qualcomm Oryon cores (3.8GHz)
- GPU: Adreno for X Elite
- Fab: 4nm TSMC
- Platform: Windows
- Storage: NVMe SSD (PCIe Gen 4)
- AI/NPU: Hexagon DSP (45 TOPS)
>> See: Full Specifications of the Snapdragon X Elite here
Snapdragon X Elite: Unleashing Performance
The Snapdragon X Elite incorporates 12 custom high-performance Qualcomm Oryon cores. These cores operate at a base clock speed of 3.8GHz but can be turbocharged to 4.3GHz (dual core boost) for demanding CPU tasks.
At the unveiling, Qualcomm showcased a performance comparison between the Snapdragon X Elite and Intel's 10-core Core i7-1355U and 12-core Core i7-1360P. The results were striking. The X Elite delivered double the CPU performance while consuming approximately 68% less battery power.
The integrated Adreno GPU in the X Elite also delivers outstanding performance. When pitted against Intel's integrated Xe graphics chip on the Core i7-13800H, the Adreno GPU outshone with double the performance and significantly reduced power consumption (around 74%).
It's important to note that these findings are pending independent reviews, so it's wise to stay open-minded.
Benchmarks
The Snapdragon X Elite’s benchmark performance corroborates the story that its specs are telling. According to Geekbench 6, the Snapdragon X Elite at 23W of power is on par with the Apple M2 processor and outperforms Intel's Core i7-13800H. When the power was ramped up to 80W, it had absolutely no competition. The same tale is repeated on Cinebench, where the Snapdragon X Elite outperforms its competition.
RAM and Storage
The X Elite SoC supports LPDDR5X RAM, accommodating up to 64GB. It's also geared for NVMe SSDs (via PCIe Gen 4) and UFS 4.0 storage.
Artificial Intelligence
Just as with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, Qualcomm places significant emphasis on Artificial Intelligence in the Snapdragon X Elite. This powerhouse SoC features a Hexagon DSP Neural Processing Unit (NPU) capable of executing a staggering 75 trillion operations per second (TOP).
Additionally, there's a micro NPU known as the Sensing Hub, which is responsible for privacy, security, and the capability to awaken the device from sleep using voice commands.
Qualcomm claims that its AI engine surpasses the competition, but we'll await confirmation from independent reviewers.
Platform
Designed primarily for Windows-On-ARM PC products, the X Elite steps into the arena to compete with offerings from Apple, AMD, and Intel, already showing signs of being ahead of the curve.
Display
The X Elite SoC boasts support for a primary display of up to 4K with a refreshing 120Hz and HDR10. Moreover, it accommodates external displays, handling up to three 4K monitors simultaneously.
Connectivity
In the connectivity department, the X Elite SoC is exceptionally well-equipped. It features a Snapdragon X65 5G modem supporting 2G, 3G, 4G LTE, Sub-6GHz, and mmWave 5G, delivering impressive maximum download speeds of up to 35 Gbps. This SoC also incorporates Qualcomm’s FastConnect 7800, providing support for WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4.
Conclusion
The Snapdragon X Elite is more than just another System-on-Chip; it's a technological marvel designed to revolutionize the world of computing. With a robust emphasis on Artificial Intelligence, it wields immense processing power, thanks to its Hexagon DSP Neural Processing Unit. Boasting an impressive 75 trillion operations per second, this AI engine places the Snapdragon X Elite at the forefront of innovation.
As a contender in the Windows-On-ARM platform, it challenges industry giants like Apple, AMD, and Intel, positioning itself as a pioneer in the field.
The X Elite SoC doesn't stop at intelligence; it excels in visuals, supporting 4K primary displays with a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10. It's also versatile, extending its capabilities to accommodate multiple 4K external monitors.
When it comes to connectivity, this SoC is a powerhouse, with a Snapdragon X65 5G modem that covers 2G, 3G, 4G LTE, Sub-6GHz and mmWave 5G. Offering remarkable download speeds of up to 35 Gbps, it complements this with Qualcomm’s FastConnect 7800, ushering in the era of WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4.
The Snapdragon X Elite is more than a chip; it's a symbol of innovation and progress in the world of technology. While Qualcomm is confident in its capabilities, the final word awaits confirmation from independent reviewers. This SoC has set the bar high, and it's poised to redefine the future of computing.