Qualcomm introduces Snapdragon X Plus, Unveiling Complete Snapdragon X Chip Stack

Computex Taipei

Qualcomm is gearing up for the launch of their new Snapdragon X SoCs for PCs, along with the highly anticipated Oryon CPU cores. The company has revealed more details about their product plans, including the introduction of multiple chip configurations to cater to different price/performance tiers. The Snapdragon X Elite will come in three different SKUs, each with varying CPU and GPU performance. Additionally, Qualcomm is introducing a second tier called Snapdragon X Plus, which will initially have a single configuration but could potentially expand in the future.

The company plans to launch all four chips simultaneously, making both Snapdragon X Elite and Snapdragon X Plus devices available at the same time. While Qualcomm aims to have these devices on the market by mid-year, they have not provided a more specific timeline. More information is expected to be revealed during Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon’s keynote at Computex in June.

Qualcomm has already showcased the capabilities of their Snapdragon X Plus chips through live benchmarks. These benchmarks demonstrate the company’s confidence in their performance and their ability to outperform competitors like Intel and AMD in multithreaded performance. The Snapdragon X Plus chips will offer reduced performance compared to the top-tier Snapdragon X Elite chips but are still expected to deliver impressive results.

The Snapdragon X chip stack includes four SKUs, with the Snapdragon X Elite chips featuring all 12 Oryon CPU cores enabled. The flagship Elite chip, X1E-84-100, offers high performance and functionality with a 45 TOPS NPU and 42MB of total system cache. However, there have been some downgrades compared to previous demos, such as a slightly lower peak dual-core clockspeed and a lower memory frequency.

The Snapdragon X Plus chip, X1P-64-100, has 10 CPU cores enabled and is identical to the mid-tier Elite chips in terms of GPU performance, memory bandwidth, cache, and NPU capabilities. The only difference is the lower multithreaded performance due to the reduced number of CPU cores.

Qualcomm’s decision to stratify their Snapdragon X chip stack is an interesting one, as it results in significant drops in performance with each step down the SKU stack. This is different from how AMD and Intel typically configure their down-level SKUs. However, Qualcomm’s focus on higher CPU core counts for energy efficiency aligns with their goal of delivering impressive multithreaded performance.

The Snapdragon X chips offer other notable features, such as support for multiple display outputs and image acquisition capabilities through Qualcomm’s Spectra ISPs. The chips also support various memory interfaces, including NVMe SSDs, UFS 4.0, and SD 3.0 for removable storage.

Qualcomm has not provided specific TDPs for the Snapdragon X SKUs, as the chips are suitable for a range of devices with different power requirements. However, the Snapdragon X Plus is expected to be the lowest-power chip due to its lower performance and clockspeeds.

Qualcomm has also shared performance benchmarks comparing the Snapdragon X Plus to competitors like Intel and AMD, as well as their own Snapdragon X Elite. These benchmarks highlight the Snapdragon X Plus’s advantage in multithreaded workloads and power consumption. However, Qualcomm has not emphasized single-threaded performance, which may be a weaker point for the Plus chip due to its lower clockspeeds.

Overall, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Plus chip offers impressive performance within its power constraints. The company has showcased the chip in their reference design Laptops, demonstrating its capabilities in various benchmarks. With the launch of the Snapdragon X family approaching, it will be interesting to see how these chips perform in real-world scenarios and how they contribute to Qualcomm’s ambitions in the PC market.

Background Information

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About AMD:

AMD, a large player in the semiconductor industry is known for its powerful processors and graphic solutions, AMD has consistently pushed the boundaries of performance, efficiency, and user experience. With a customer-centric approach, the company has cultivated a reputation for delivering high-performance solutions that cater to the needs of gamers, professionals, and general users. AMD's Ryzen series of processors have redefined the landscape of desktop and laptop computing, offering impressive multi-core performance and competitive pricing that has challenged the dominance of its competitors. Complementing its processor expertise, AMD's Radeon graphics cards have also earned accolades for their efficiency and exceptional graphical capabilities, making them a favored choice among gamers and content creators. The company's commitment to innovation and technology continues to shape the client computing landscape, providing users with powerful tools to fuel their digital endeavors.

  

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About Intel:

Intel Corporation, a global technology leader, is for its semiconductor innovations that power computing and communication devices worldwide. As a pioneer in microprocessor technology, Intel has left an indelible mark on the evolution of computing with its processors that drive everything from PCs to data centers and beyond. With a history of advancements, Intel's relentless pursuit of innovation continues to shape the digital landscape, offering solutions that empower businesses and individuals to achieve new levels of productivity and connectivity.

  

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About Qualcomm:

Qualcomm, a leading American global semiconductor and telecommunications equipment company, has played a pivotal role in shaping the modern technology landscape. Founded in 1985, Qualcomm has been at the forefront of innovation, particularly in the realm of mobile communications and wireless technology. The company's advancements have been instrumental in the evolution of smartphones, powering devices with their Snapdragon processors that deliver exceptional performance and efficiency. With a strong commitment to research and development, Qualcomm has enabled the growth of 5G technology, paving the way for faster and more connected experiences.

  

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Event Info

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About Computex:

Computex, held annually in Taipei, Taiwan, stands as one of the world's leading technology trade shows, showcasing cutting-edge innovations in computing hardware, software, and emerging technologies. With a focus on industry trends and product launches, it serves as a pivotal platform for tech giants and startups alike to unveil their latest advancements and forge key partnerships, attracting a global audience of industry professionals, enthusiasts, and media representatives.

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Technology Explained

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CPU: The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the brain of a computer, responsible for executing instructions and performing calculations. It is the most important component of a computer system, as it is responsible for controlling all other components. CPUs are used in a wide range of applications, from desktop computers to mobile devices, gaming consoles, and even supercomputers. CPUs are used to process data, execute instructions, and control the flow of information within a computer system. They are also used to control the input and output of data, as well as to store and retrieve data from memory. CPUs are essential for the functioning of any computer system, and their applications in the computer industry are vast.

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GPU: GPU stands for Graphics Processing Unit and is a specialized type of processor designed to handle graphics-intensive tasks. It is used in the computer industry to render images, videos, and 3D graphics. GPUs are used in gaming consoles, PCs, and mobile devices to provide a smooth and immersive gaming experience. They are also used in the medical field to create 3D models of organs and tissues, and in the automotive industry to create virtual prototypes of cars. GPUs are also used in the field of artificial intelligence to process large amounts of data and create complex models. GPUs are becoming increasingly important in the computer industry as they are able to process large amounts of data quickly and efficiently.

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NPU: NPU, or Neural Processing Unit, is a type of specialized processor that is designed to handle complex artificial intelligence tasks. It is inspired by the structure and function of the human brain, with the ability to process and analyze large amounts of data simultaneously. In the computer industry, NPU technology is being used in various applications such as speech recognition, image and video processing, and natural language processing. This allows computers to perform tasks that were previously only possible for humans, making them more efficient and intelligent. NPU technology is also being integrated into smartphones, self-driving cars, and other devices, making them smarter and more responsive to user needs. With the increasing demand for AI-driven technology, the use of NPU is expected to grow and revolutionize the way we interact with computers in the future.

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NVMe: Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) is a newly developed technology that has been gaining traction in the computer industry. This technology is a standard interface which allows for high-speed storage and retrieval of data from solid state drives (SSDs). NVMe is designed to increase the speed of data transfers in storage systems by enabling a direct connection to PCI Express (PCIe) bus, resulting in significantly faster access times compared to traditional interface protocols such SSDs. NVMe is particularly useful for applications that require lightning-fast access to large amounts of high-value data. NVMe-based SSDs are being widely adopted in the computer industry and are being employed to power data centers, high-end workstations, and gaming machines to support lightning-fast data processing and retrieval, which unlocks possibilities for machine learning, real-time analytics, edge computing, and other cutting-edge applications. NVMe is proving to be an invaluable tool in the field of computing, offering immense

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Snapdragon: The Snapdragon processor is a cutting-edge technology developed by Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. It is a powerful and efficient mobile processor that is used in many of today's smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices. Snapdragon processors are also used in some computers, providing a powerful and efficient computing experience. Snapdragon processors are designed to provide a high level of performance, while also being energy efficient. They are used in a variety of applications, including gaming, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence. Snapdragon processors are also used in many of today's laptops, providing a powerful and efficient computing experience. The Snapdragon processor is a great choice for those looking for a powerful and efficient processor for their computer.

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