Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite Processor: Disappointing Gaming Performance and Other Challenges
Qualcomm’s highly anticipated Snapdragon X Elite processor, touted as an x86 killer, seems to fall short in terms of its performance in 3D tasks. Recent reviews indicate that the processor’s graphics horsepower is not sufficient.
According to a review by NotebookCheck, the Snapdragon X Elite chip installed in an Asus Vivobook S 15 OLED laptop only managed to deliver 51.1fps in Dota 2 Reborn at 1080p Ultra and 15.6fps in Final Fantasy XV at 1080p High. This places it behind machines equipped with AMD’s 780M and Intel’s Iris Xe G7 iGPUs.
However, there is a glimmer of hope that these performance issues could be attributed to early drivers and firmware. In the game Grand Theft Auto V, the Snapdragon’s Adreno GPU outperformed some of its competitors, achieving a processing speed of 20.4fps at 1080p on the highest settings. Although this frame rate is still below the acceptable range, adjusting the graphics options could potentially improve the performance to a playable level. Notably, the Snapdragon X Elite even surpasses Intel’s Iris Xe and Arc iGPUs, coming close to AMD’s Radeon 780M.
Another review by Dave2D reveals that Helldivers 2 ran at 41fps, Palworld at 39fps, Overwatch 2 at 83fps, Baldur’s Gate 3 at 35fps, and Cyberpunk 2077 at 34fps on the Snapdragon X Elite processor. However, it’s important to note that these games were played at 1080p low settings. If graphics are not a critical factor for you, then gaming on an ARM-powered Windows machine is possible.
Unfortunately, the processor faces other challenges beyond lackluster gaming performance. Some games frequently crash, some cannot provide a smooth experience regardless of the settings, and some games fail to launch altogether. While Qualcomm may address some of these issues through bug fixes and improvements, overall performance will not dramatically improve. This explains why gaming was not emphasized during the processor’s announcement.
Furthermore, information regarding the AI capabilities of the Snapdragon X Elite, particularly Microsoft’s Copilot+, is currently unavailable due to delays caused by the recent Recall feature controversy. Preliminary benchmarks for general performance do not paint a promising picture either.
Nevertheless, there is hope that future updates and optimizations could enhance the performance of ARM chips like the Snapdragon X Elite. The promised extended battery life remains an enticing aspect, with the potential to play games for more than two hours on battery power. Let’s keep our fingers crossed for the advancements yet to come.
Additional relevant facts:
– The Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite processor is based on ARM architecture, specifically the ARM Cortex-A78 CPU and Adreno GPU.
– The processor is intended for use in Windows laptops and 2-in-1 devices, aiming to provide a balance between performance and power efficiency.
– Qualcomm claims that the Snapdragon X Elite offers desktop-level performance and can compete with x86 processors.
– The processor supports 5G connectivity, allowing for fast internet speeds and low latency.
– It features Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X60 5G modem, which supports both Sub-6 GHz and mmWave frequencies.
– The Snapdragon X Elite processor integrates AI capabilities, enabling tasks such as voice recognition and image enhancement.
– The processor supports advanced camera features, including multi-camera setups and high-resolution image processing.
– It includes Qualcomm Quick Charge technology for fast charging of devices.
Key questions and answers:
1. How does the Snapdragon X Elite processor perform in gaming?
– Recent reviews indicate that the processor’s gaming performance falls short, especially in 3D tasks. It lags behind some of its competitors in terms of graphics horsepower.
2. Are the performance issues due to early drivers and firmware?
– There is a possibility that the performance issues could be attributed to early drivers and firmware. Updates and optimizations may improve the processor’s gaming performance.
3. What other challenges does the Snapdragon X Elite processor face?
– Apart from gaming performance, the processor faces challenges such as frequent game crashes, inability to provide smooth experiences regardless of settings, and certain games failing to launch.
4. What is the status of the AI capabilities of the Snapdragon X Elite?
– Information regarding the AI capabilities of the processor, particularly Microsoft’s Copilot+, is currently unavailable due to delays caused by the Recall feature controversy.
Advantages:
– Balance between performance and power efficiency.
– Support for 5G connectivity.
– Integration of AI capabilities.
– Advanced camera features.
– Qualcomm Quick Charge technology.
Disadvantages:
– Disappointing gaming performance.
– Challenges with game crashes and performance inconsistencies.
– Limited information available on AI capabilities.
– Preliminary benchmarks for general performance are not promising.
Suggested related link: Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 5G Platform
