Qualcomm Unveils Snapdragon X Plus and X Elite ARM-based Chipsets for Enhanced PC Performance

Highlights

• Snapdragon X Plus offers 37% better CPU performance and 54% less power usage
• X Elite series boasts up to 4.6 teraflop GPU and Dual-Core Boost feature
• New chips aim to match performance of Intel ARM and Apple silicon devices
• Expected laptop launches with new Snapdragon chips set for mid-2024

Qualcomm has announced two new series of ARM-based processors called the Snapdragon X Plus and the higher-end Snapdragon X Elite platforms.

They are aimed at providing faster performance and improved efficiency for Windows laptops and PCs, to put them on par with several of the Intel ARM-based and Apple silicone-based devices on the market.

There is a clear bifurcation on getting to use what though based on if you are looking for power or efficiency.

“Snapdragon X Series platforms deliver leading experiences and are positioned to revolutionize the PC industry. Snapdragon X Plus will power AI-Supercharged PCs that enable even more users to excel as radical new AI experiences emerge in this period of rapid development and deployment,” said Kedar Kondap, senior vice president and general manager of compute and gaming, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “By delivering leading CPU performance, AI capabilities, and power efficiency, we are once again pushing the boundaries of what is possible in mobile computing.”

Here’s what you need to know about it.

Snapdragon X Plus: Features

The Snapdragon X Plus features Qualcomm’s custom Oryon CPU, which the company claims delivers up to 37% better CPU performance compared to competitors, while using up to 54% less power.

This chip also includes a powerful AI engine called the Hexagon NPU, capable of 45 trillion operations per second (TOPS) – reportedly the fastest NPU for laptops.

Qualcomm demonstrated several AI-driven applications running on the 45 TOPS NPU, such as code generation in Visual Studio Code, music generation in Audacity, and real-time live captions in multiple languages using OBS Studio.

“Snapdragon X Series platforms deliver leading experiences and are positioned to revolutionize the PC industry. Snapdragon X Plus will power AI-Supercharged PCs that enable even more users to excel as radical new AI experiences emerge in this period of rapid development and deployment,” said Kedar Kondap, senior vice president and general manager of compute and gaming, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “By delivering leading CPU performance, AI capabilities, and power efficiency, we are once again pushing the boundaries of what is possible in mobile computing.”

Snapdragon X Elite: Features

The X Elite series consists of three 12-core processors with a maximum multithreaded frequency of 3.8GHz and up to a 4.6 teraflop integrated GPU.

The top two models offer a “Dual-Core Boost” feature, allowing speeds up to 4.2GHz on demand, similar to Intel’s Turbo Boost technology.

Unlike hybrid architectures from Apple and Intel with separate performance and efficiency cores, Qualcomm says all of its cores are designed for high performance.

The company claims its ARM chips outperform competitors in performance, power efficiency, and battery life, while also enabling PC games to run smoothly via emulation on Windows on ARM.

PC manufacturers are expected to launch laptops powered by the Snapdragon X Plus and X Elite chips starting in mid-2024.

FAQs

What is the Snapdragon X Plus?

The Snapdragon X Plus is a processor designed for Windows laptops and PCs, providing superior CPU performance and power efficiency with a powerful AI engine.

How does the Snapdragon X Elite differ from the X Plus?

The X Elite series includes high-end features like a 4.6 teraflop GPU and Dual-Core Boost, enabling speeds up to 4.2GHz, tailored for demanding applications and gaming.

What advantages do the new Snapdragon processors offer over competitors?

Qualcomm’s new processors are engineered to outperform competitors in terms of speed, efficiency, and battery life, making them comparable to leading ARM-based and silicon devices.

When can consumers expect products with these new chips?

PCs and laptops equipped with Snapdragon X Plus and X Elite chips are anticipated to hit the market starting in mid-2024.

What AI capabilities are included in the Snapdragon X Plus?

The Snapdragon X Plus includes a Hexagon NPU capable of 45 trillion operations per second, supporting advanced AI applications like live translation and code generation.

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