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Qualcomm has unveiled its latest addition to the Snapdragon X Series at IFA 2024, the Snapdragon X Plus 8-Core processor, aimed at bringing advanced computing capabilities to mainstream laptops. This new chip is designed to offer a balance of performance, efficiency, and AI capabilities for everyday PC users.
Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus 8-Core Specification
| Category | Specification |
|---|---|
| CPU | Qualcomm® Oryon CPU 64-bit architecture 8 cores, up to 4.0 GHz Total Cache: 30 MB |
| Single-Core Boost Frequency | X1P-46-100 4.0 GHz X1P-42-100 3.4 GHz |
| Max Multithread Frequency | X1P-46-100 3.4 GHz X1P-42-100 3.2 GHz |
| GPU | Qualcomm Adreno GPU X1P-46-100 Up to 2.1 TFLOPS X1P-42-100 Up to 1.7 TFLOPS |
| NPU | Qualcomm Hexagon NPU, TOPS: 45 TOPS |
| Micro NPU | Dual Micro NPU on the Qualcomm Sensing Hub |
| Memory | Memory Type: LPDDR5x, Transfer Rate: 8448 MT/s, Capacity: Up to 64 GB, Bandwidth: 135 GB/s, Bit Width: 16-bit, Number of Channels: 8 |
| Storage | SD: SD v3.0, SSD/NVMe Interface: NVMe SSD over PCIe Gen 4, UFS: UFS 4.0 |
| Process | Process Node: 4nm |
| Display | Display Processing Unit (DPU) Name: Qualcomm Adreno DPU, Max. On-Device Display Resolution: eDPv1.4b, up to UHD120Hz HDR10, Max. External Display Resolution: DP v1.4 – 3 displays, up to UHD60 Hz HDR10, 2 displays up to 5K60 or UHD120 |
| VPU | Video Processing Unit (VPU) Name: Qualcomm Adreno VPU, Encode: 4K UHD 30 fps 8-bit recording – H.264, HEVC (H.265), AVI, Decode: 4K 30 fps 10-bit playback – HEVC (H.265), VP9, AVI, 4K 60 fps 8-bit playback – H.264, HEVC (H.265), Concurrency: 4K 30 fps 8-bit decode + 1080p 30 fps encode + 1080p 60 fps 10-bit decode + 1080p 30 fps encode |
| Camera | Image Signal Processor Name: Qualcomm Spectra ISP, Single Camera: Up to 36 MP, Video Capture: 4K HDR video capture |
| General Audio | Audio Technology: Qualcomm Aqstic audio technology, Qualcomm aptX Audio |
| Cellular Modem-RF | Modem Name: Snapdragon X65, 5G Modem-RF System, Peak Download Speed: 10 Gbps, Peak Upload Speed: 3.5 Gbps, Cellular Modem-RF Specs: 1,000 MHz bandwidth (mmWave), 300 MHz bandwidth (sub-6 GHz), Performance Enhancement Technologies: Qualcomm Smart Transmit technology, Qualcomm Wideband Envelope Tracking, Qualcomm AI-Enhanced Signal Boost adaptive antenna tuning, Qualcomm 5G PowerSave, Cellular Technology: 5G NR, Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS), mmWave, sub-6 GHz, HSPA, WCDMA, LTE support for CBRS, CDMA 1x, EV-DO, GSM/EDGE |
| Wi-Fi/Bluetooth | Wi-Fi/Bluetooth System: Qualcomm FastConnect 7800 Mobile Connectivity System, Generations: Wi-Fi 7, Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi 6, Standards: 802.11be, 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a, Spectral Bands: 6 GHz, 5 GHz, 2.4 GHz, Spatial Streams: Up to 4, Peak QAM: Up to 4K QAM, Features: Passpoint, 8×8 Sounding, TDLS, Wi-Fi QoS Management, Wi-Fi Optimized Connectivity, Wi-Fi Location, OFDMA (UL/DL), Miracast, Target Wake Time, Voice-Enterprise, MU-MIMO (UL/DL), Multi-Link Operation (MLO), High Band Simultaneous (HBS) |
| Bluetooth | Specification Version: Bluetooth 5.4, Bluetooth Connection Technology: Bluetooth LE |
| USB | USB Specification Version: USB 4.0, Interface Type: 3 x USB4 (40Gbps), 2 x USB3.2 Gen2x1, 1 x eUSB2 |
Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus 8-Core vs 10-Core vs Snapdragon X Elite Specifications
| Plattform | Snapdragon X Elite | Snapdragon X Elite | Snapdragon X Elite | Snapdragon X Elite | Snapdragon X Plus 10-core | Snapdragon X Plus 10-core | Snapdragon X Plus 8-core | Snapdragon X Plus 8-core |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part Number | X1E-00-1DE | X1E-84-100 | X1E-80-100 | X1E-78-100 | X1P-64-100 | X1P-66-100 | X1P-42-100 | X1P-46-100 |
| Cores | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Total Cache | 42 MB | 42 MB | 42 MB | 42 MB | 42 MB | 42 MB | 30 MB | 30 MB |
| Max Single Thread Frequency | 4.3 GHz | 4.2 GHz | 4.0 GHz | 3.4 GHz | 3.4 GHz | 3.4 GHz | 3.4 GHz | 3.4 GHz |
| Max Multithread Frequency | 3.8 GHz | 3.8 GHz | 3.4 GHz | 3.4 GHz | 3.4 GHz | 3.4 GHz | 3.2 GHz | 3.2 GHz |
| CPU Boost | 4.3 GHz (Dual-Core) | 4.2 GHz (Dual-Core) | 4.0 GHz (Dual-Core) | None | None | 4.0 GHz (Single-Core) | 3.4 GHz (Single-Core) | 4 GHz (Single-Core) |
| TFLOPS | 4.6 | 4.6 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 10 | 1.7 | 2.1 |
| NPU TOPS | 45 | 45 | 45 | 45 | 45 | 42 MB | 45 | 45 |
| Memory Type | LPDDR5x | LPDDR5x | LPDDR5x | LPDDR5x | LPDDR5x | 3.4 GHz | LPDDR5x | LPDDR5x |
| Transfer Rate | 8448 MT/S | 8448 MT/S | 8448 MT/S | 8448 MT/S | 8448 MT/S | 3.4 GHz | 8448 MT/S | 8448 MT/S |
Processor Architecture and Performance
The Snapdragon X Plus 8-Core is built on a 4nm process node, featuring eight high-performance cores that can reach speeds of up to 3.2 GHz, with single-core performance peaking at 3.4 GHz for the X1P-42-100 model and 4 Ghz for the X1P-46-100. This architecture is complemented by 30 MB of total cache, which helps to ensure smooth multitasking and responsive performance across various applications.
CPU and GPU Specifications
At the heart of the Snapdragon X Plus 8-Core is the Qualcomm Oryon CPU, which utilises a 64-bit architecture. The chip’s graphics capabilities are handled by the Qualcomm Adreno GPU, delivering up to 1.7 TFLOPs of performance on the X1P-42-100 and 2.1 TFLOPs on the X1P-46-100. This combination aims to provide a robust foundation for both productivity tasks and entertainment needs.
Memory and Storage
The processor supports LPDDR5x memory with a transfer rate of 8448 MT/s and a bandwidth of 135 GB/s. This high-speed memory configuration allows for capacities of up to 64 GB, which should be more than sufficient for most users’ needs. Storage options include support for SD v3.0, NVMe SSDs over PCIe Gen 4, and UFS 4.0, offering flexibility and speed for various storage requirements.
AI Capabilities and Copilot+ Support
One of the standout features of the Snapdragon X Plus 8-Core is its AI processing capabilities. The chip incorporates a Qualcomm Hexagon NPU that delivers 45 TOPS of AI performance. This puts it on par with its more powerful siblings in the Snapdragon X Series when it comes to AI tasks.
Exclusive Copilot+ Support
Qualcomm has positioned the Snapdragon X Series, including the X Plus 8-Core, as the exclusive platforms to power Copilot+ PCs. This exclusivity highlights the advanced AI capabilities of these chips and their potential to enhance user experiences through AI-driven features.
AI-Enhanced Applications
The robust NPU enables a range of AI-enhanced applications, including:
- Live translation
- Paint co-creator functionality
- Windows Studio Effects
- Advanced camera features like portrait lighting and virtual backgrounds
- Smart masking in video editing software
- Voice and body tracking
- Auto-cutout features in photo and video editing applications
These AI capabilities are designed to improve productivity, creativity, and overall user experience across various software applications.
Display and Multimedia Support
The Snapdragon X Plus 8-Core offers comprehensive support for high-quality displays and multimedia experiences.
Display Capabilities
The chip’s Display Processing Unit (DPU) supports:
- On-device display resolution up to UHD 120Hz with HDR10
- External display support for up to three 4K 60Hz displays or two 5K 60Hz displays
This level of display support ensures that users can enjoy crisp, smooth visuals whether working on the device’s built-in screen or connecting to external monitors.
Video Processing
The Qualcomm Adreno VPU (Video Processing Unit) provides robust video encoding and decoding capabilities:
- 4K UHD 30 fps 8-bit recording for H.264, HEVC (H.265), and AV1 formats
- 4K 30 fps 10-bit playback for HEVC, VP9, and AV1
- 4K 60 fps 8-bit playback for H.264 and HEVC
These features ensure that the processor can handle a wide range of video content, from streaming to content creation.
Connectivity and Communication
The Snapdragon X Plus 8-Core is equipped with advanced connectivity options to keep users connected in various environments.
Cellular Connectivity
The chip incorporates the Snapdragon X65 5G Modem-RF System, which offers:
- Peak download speeds of 10 Gbps
- Peak upload speeds of 3.5 Gbps
- Support for mmWave and sub-6 GHz 5G bands
- Backwards compatibility with 4G LTE, 3G, and 2G networks
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
For local wireless connectivity, the processor includes the Qualcomm FastConnect 7800 Mobile Connectivity System, featuring:
- Wi-Fi 7 support, along with backwards compatibility for Wi-Fi 6E and earlier standards
- Bluetooth 5.4 with Bluetooth LE support
These wireless capabilities ensure that devices powered by the Snapdragon X Plus 8-Core can take advantage of the latest networking technologies for fast, reliable connections.
Power Efficiency and Battery Life
One of the key selling points of the Snapdragon X Plus 8-Core is its power efficiency. Qualcomm claims that devices powered by this chip can achieve battery life lasting multiple days on a single charge. This extended battery life is particularly noteworthy for users who require long-lasting performance without frequent recharging.
The processor’s efficiency is attributed to several factors:
- The 4nm process node, which allows for more transistors in a smaller area, reducing power consumption
- Intelligent power management features built into the chip
- The efficiency of the Qualcomm Oryon CPU architecture
Security Features
Security is a crucial aspect of modern computing, and the Snapdragon X Plus 8-Core incorporates several features to protect user data and privacy:
- Qualcomm Secure Processing Unit with Microsoft Pluton solution
- Total Memory Encryption
- Support for Microsoft’s Secured-core PC initiative
These security measures are designed to provide robust protection against various threats, from the chip level up to the cloud.
Camera and Imaging Capabilities
The Snapdragon X Plus 8-Core includes the Qualcomm Spectra ISP (Image Signal Processor), which supports:
- Single camera resolution up to 36 MP
- 4K HDR video capture
These imaging capabilities allow for high-quality video conferencing and content creation directly from devices powered by this processor.
Audio Technology
For audio processing, the chip incorporates Qualcomm Aqstic audio technology and Qualcomm aptX Audio. These technologies aim to deliver high-fidelity sound for both built-in speakers and connected audio devices, enhancing the overall multimedia experience.
OEM Support and Device Availability
Qualcomm has announced that several major PC manufacturers will be releasing devices powered by the Snapdragon X Plus 8-Core:
- Acer
- HP
- Lenovo
- Other unnamed OEMs
Some of these devices are expected to be available for purchase immediately following the announcement, indicating a coordinated launch effort between Qualcomm and its OEM partners.
Conclusion
The Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus 8-core processor is positioned as a versatile and powerful solution for everyday PCs. With its focus on AI capabilities, power efficiency, and comprehensive connectivity options, this processor aims to offer an impressive alternative to traditional x86-based systems in the mid-range market.
I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.
As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.
In my academic pursuits, I earned a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN, before advancing my learning with a Master’s Degree in Computing. This advanced study also included Cisco CCNA accreditation, further demonstrating my commitment to understanding and staying ahead of the technology curve.
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