Qualcomm Boasts Snapdragon X2 Elite Outpaces AMD and Intel #
Qualcomm has announced its new Snapdragon X2 CPU series, headlined by the X2 Elite and X2 Elite Extreme. Built on TSMC’s 3nm process with the third-gen Oryon cores, an upgraded Adreno GPU, and a Hexagon NPU, Qualcomm claims the X2 sets new benchmarks in Windows PC and AI PC performance.
Specs at a Glance #
- X2 Elite Extreme: Up to 18 cores (12 Prime at 5.0 GHz, 6 Performance at 3.6 GHz), 53 MB cache, Adreno GPU at 1.85 GHz, and an 80 TOPS NPU. Supports 12-channel LPDDR5X with 228 GB/s bandwidth.
- X2 Elite: Slightly lower clocks and 8-channel memory (152 GB/s), same CPU/GPU architecture.
- Mainstream SKU: 12-core, 34 MB cache, slightly lower GPU frequency.
Performance Claims #
Qualcomm presented benchmark data showing:
- Single-Core: At ~20W, X2 Elite Extreme is 44% faster than Intel Core Ultra 9 285H and AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370.
- Multi-Core: At 50–55W, delivers 75% higher performance than rivals at the same power.
- Efficiency: Competitors would need 140–220% more power to match X2 performance.
On the GPU side, Qualcomm says the Adreno GPU is 52% faster at the same power, based on 3DMark Steel Nomad Light tests.
AI Advantage #
With its Hexagon NPU rated at 80 TOPS, the X2 doubles the AI performance of Intel Lunar Lake (48 TOPS), AMD Ryzen AI 300 (50 TOPS), and even Apple’s M4. Qualcomm reported a Procyon AI Vision score of 4151, promising faster inference, translation, and media generation for AI-driven Windows PCs.
Market Outlook #
While these figures are Qualcomm’s own, they show strong intent to challenge Intel’s Arrow Lake-H/Lunar Lake and AMD’s Strix platforms. Independent tests will be key, as the Snapdragon X1 previously underdelivered in gaming and pro workloads.
The Snapdragon X2 series launches in Spring 2026, alongside Intel’s Panther Lake and AMD’s next-gen AI processors at CES 2026. If Qualcomm delivers, the X2 could give the company a strong foothold in the AI PC race.