Snapdragon X Elite PCs: Can they really compete in gaming?

Welcome, brave gamers and hardware heroes!

Today we're getting to the bottom of Qualcomm's latest wonder child, the Snapdragon X Elite. Will this chip really be the new star in the gaming sky or just a small firefly in the spotlight of the x86 giants? Spoiler alert: get the popcorn out, because this is going to be a real drama.

Technical specifications: What does the Snapdragon X Elite offer?

Before we get into the performance tests and reviews, let's take a look at the technical data:

• CPU: ARM-based architecture, known for its energy efficiency.
• GPU: Adreno graphics, widely used in mobile devices.
• Artificial Intelligence: Built-in AI capabilities to improve games and applications.
• Connectivity: Support for Wi-Fi 6 and 5G.

1. Frame rates and graphics performance

One of the biggest criticisms of the Snapdragon X Elite is its graphics performance. The Snapdragon X Elite performs like a marathon runner in a snail race in "Fortnite" and "Call of Duty: Warzone". Medium settings give us a constant 60 FPS, but beware if you try to play "Cyberpunk 2077" on ultra. You might think the game is running in slow motion to show us more of the graphics

2. Energy efficiency and heat generation

Energy efficiency has traditionally been a strength of ARM architectures, and the Snapdragon X Elite actually performs well here. However, the lower heat generation does not lead to proportionally better performance in graphically intensive games. Even during longer sessions, the chip stays cool, but the performance cannot keep up with dedicated gaming CPUs and GPUs.

3. Compatibility and optimization

This is where it gets really funny. Games optimized for x86 run on the Snapdragon X Elite like fish out of water. Despite all the efforts of Qualcomm and some developers, the performance remains... let's say, in need of optimization. Even classics like "Genshin Impact" stumble and stutter as if they had landed on a Windows 95 computer.

comparison with x86 PCs

But here's more serious...in direct comparison with traditional x86 systems, the Snapdragon X Elite shows clear weaknesses:

• Performance: High-end x86 systems equipped with GPUs like the NVIDIA RTX 4080 or AMD RX 7800XT offer superior performance, especially in graphically demanding games.
• Ecosystem: The software and games ecosystem is much more extensive for x86 systems, resulting in better optimizations and a larger selection of games.
• Market acceptance: The gaming community has largely opposed the use of the Snapdragon X Elite as a primary gaming platform.

future prospects

The Snapdragon X Elite may one day fulfill its potential. Despite the current challenges, the Snapdragon X Elite has potential, especially in niche markets and for certain use cases. Power efficiency and the integration of AI could lead to better optimizations and new gaming experiences in the future. However, Qualcomm will have to make significant efforts to close the performance gap and increase support from game developers.

Conclusion

The Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite has disappointed in the gaming space and cannot keep up with traditional x86 gaming systems. Limited graphics performance, compatibility issues and lack of optimization for demanding games are major obstacles. Nevertheless, the chip offers interesting possibilities for mobile devices and could be useful in specific application areas. However, gamers looking for the best performance should continue to rely on proven x86 hardware.