Tag: Snapdragon X Elite 2

  • Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite: 64 GB RAM Options Revealed Early

    Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite: 64 GB RAM Options Revealed Early

    Key Takeaways

    1. Qualcomm has not announced the official launch date for its next-gen laptop chipsets but will reveal details at the Snapdragon Summit from September 23 to 25 in Hawaii.
    2. The Snapdragon X Elite 2, Snapdragon 8 Elite 2, and other options are expected to be unveiled during the summit.
    3. The laptop chipset model SC8480XP is still under development and has been noted to support testing with up to 48 GB of RAM.
    4. Qualcomm is also testing configurations with 64 GB of RAM for the Snapdragon X2 Elite, which is unusual for standard Windows laptops.
    5. The Snapdragon X2 Elite is expected to feature an 18-core SoC, representing a 50% increase in CPU core count compared to the previous Snapdragon X Elite.


    Qualcomm has yet to announce when it will officially launch its next-gen laptop chipsets. However, the company has disclosed the dates for this year’s Snapdragon Summit, scheduled to take place over two days from September 23 to September 25 in Hawaii. It appears likely that during this event, Qualcomm will unveil not only the Snapdragon X Elite 2 but also the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 and some less powerful options.

    Latest Developments

    Meanwhile, leaker Roland Quandt has provided fresh insights regarding Qualcomm’s leading laptop chipset. He mentioned that the chipset, known by the model number SC8480XP, is still being developed, with this model number first appearing in September of the previous year. Recently, Quandt has indicated that he has come across information suggesting that the SC8480XP is being tested with 48 GB of RAM, an improvement from the current maximum of 32 GB available for Snapdragon X Elite laptops like the Surface Laptop 7, which is priced at $659 on Amazon (refurbished).

    Potential Upgrades

    However, it’s possible that 48 GB of RAM might not be the highest configuration available for the so-called SD X2 Elite or Snapdragon X2 Elite. Quandt has now reported that Qualcomm is in the process of testing configurations with 64 GB of RAM, which is still quite uncommon for Windows laptops, aside from workstations and gaming models. As of now, Quandt believes that the Snapdragon X2 Elite is increasingly resembling an 18-core SoC, indicating a significant 50% increase in CPU core count compared to the Snapdragon X Elite.

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  • Snapdragon X Elite 2 Rumored to Boost Performance by 22%

    Snapdragon X Elite 2 Rumored to Boost Performance by 22%

    Key Takeaways

    1. The Snapdragon X Elite 2 may feature 18 CPU cores and is expected to launch in October 2023, with broader availability by 2026.
    2. CPU boost clocks for the Snapdragon X Elite 2 could start at 4.4 GHz, potentially reaching up to 5.0 GHz, while the high-end model may boost between 3.8 GHz and 4.4 GHz.
    3. Performance gains of 18-22% are anticipated, but higher clock speeds alone may not guarantee these improvements.
    4. The Snapdragon X Elite 2 could utilize TSMC’s N3P process, with speculation about a possible N2P node delaying availability until 2026.
    5. Qualcomm faces software support challenges, particularly with the Windows-on-Arm platform, affecting the performance and return rates of laptops with Snapdragon chips.


    So far, news regarding Qualcomm’s upcoming laptop SoCs has been limited. One source mentioned that the Snapdragon X Elite 2 (or Snapdragon X2 Elite) might be released with 18 CPU cores, while another indicated a launch date in October, with broader availability expected to begin in 2026. A recent leak from a well-known Weibo blogger, Fixed Focus Digital (shared by Jukanlosreve on X), provides some insights into the CPU speeds.

    New CPU Clocks Revealed

    It seems that the Snapdragon X Elite 2/Snapdragon X2 Elite will have Nuvia-based CPUs, with boost clocks starting at 4.4 GHz. This could potentially increase to around 5.0 GHz in certain workloads. On the other hand, the high-end Snapdragon X Elite model (X1E-84-100) might boost between 3.8 GHz and 4.4 GHz. The leak also suggests that this could lead to a performance increase of 18-22%.

    Potential for Performance Gains

    However, just a rise in clock speed might not be sufficient to achieve the aforementioned performance gains. The first-generation Snapdragon X Elite was produced using TSMC’s N4P process, while the next-gen Snapdragon X2 Elite/Snapdragon X Elite 2 may utilize the N3P node. Some speculate it could use N2P, but if that’s the case, it probably wouldn’t be ready for the market until 2026.

    Software Support Challenges

    Despite the raw performance, Qualcomm’s significant challenge with the Snapdragon X Elite has been related to software support. Some laptops equipped with these chips have even been labeled as “frequently returned item” on Amazon. However, Qualcomm is not entirely to blame, as many of these problems are rooted in the Windows-on-Arm platform.

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