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38m ago

Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme Posts Big Multi-Core and Integrated-GPU Gains in Vendor Benchmarks

The gains were recorded on Qualcomm’s 16-inch reference laptops in company-run tests, leaving real-world results to independent reviews on shipping systems next year.

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Images of Qualcomm's new Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme processor, benchmarks from reference design laptops, and pictures from the announcement at the Snapdragon Summit (2025).
© Kyle Barr / Gizmodo

Overview

  • Qualcomm introduced the Snapdragon X2 lineup in two tiers—X2 Elite and the top-end X2 Elite Extreme—positioning the Extreme SKU with an 80 TOPS NPU and 12-channel memory delivering up to 228 GB/s, while X2 Elite models use 8-channel memory.
  • In Cinebench 2024 multi-core, a Qualcomm-run test produced a score of 1,974 for the X2 Elite Extreme, about 62% above Apple’s base M4 MacBook Air and 15% over the M4 Pro, with single-core performance still trailing Apple.
  • Integrated graphics showed large gains, including a 3DMark Steel Nomad Light score of 5,628—roughly 53% above Intel’s Lunar Lake results—and a 30% lead over Apple’s M4 in 3DMark Solar Bay, though discrete GPUs remain far faster.
  • All scores came from supervised sessions on 16-inch reference hardware running on wall power, so performance, thermals, and software compatibility in thinner OEM designs remain open questions.
  • Qualcomm is aiming to expand its Windows PC share over the next five years, with X2-based laptops expected from OEMs next year as Apple, Intel, and AMD prepare their next-generation chips.