Qualcomm has revealed a new processor designed for Windows-based laptops, marking a significant step in its long-term efforts to enter the personal computer market and compete with tech giants Apple and Intel.
The new processor, named Snapdragon X Elite, boasts 12 high-performance cores capable of processing data at a rapid 3.8 gigahertz.
The chip is manufactured using a 4-nanometer process and is ready to support LPDDR5x memory standards.
The company claims that this chip’s speed equals double the speed of a similar 12-core Intel processor, all while using 68% less power.
This announcement highlights the increasingly competitive market for computer processors. Nvidia, for instance, has been developing its central processing unit (CPU) using Arm’s chip designs.
Similarly, AMD has been working on a new central processing unit using Arm technology, challenging Intel’s long-held dominance in computer processing.
With the Snapdragon X Elite, Qualcomm aims to impress the industry with its swift performance.
The company contends that its new chip operates 50% faster during peak times compared to Apple’s M2 chip, hailed as a market-leading computer processor.
This processor is capable of handling two external 5K displays simultaneously or three external UHD displays.
Akash Palkhiwala, Qualcomm’s Chief Financial Officer, stated, “This chip makes us the new leader in mobile compute CPUs, promising cutting-edge performance at a low cost and low energy usage.”
Intel’s technology still dominates the industry, while Apple’s in-house designs have made significant gains, surpassing a 10% market share.
Qualcomm needs to deliver on these claims to make headway in the personal computer market.
The Snapdragon X Elite stems from CEO Cristiano Amon’s 2021 acquisition of Nuvia, a startup founded by Gerard Williams, a former executive at Apple.
Nuvia brought new chip designs to Qualcomm, reducing its reliance on ready-made technology from Arm.
The new processor includes AI-specific features through the Hexagon neural processing unit, capable of performing 45 trillion operations per second, alongside general performance benefits.
Qualcomm emphasizes that artificial intelligence will reach its full potential when shifted from data centers to user devices like smartphones and personal computers.
Additionally, Qualcomm separately announced the new edition of its Snapdragon 8 lineup for smartphones.
