Processors are undoubtedly one of the most scrutinized components when purchasing a computer. That’s why it often surprises users to see CPUs with increasingly high core counts. Qualcomm is well aware of this and launched the Snapdragon X Elite with the bold goal of establishing a strong ARM-based presence in the Windows ecosystem. However, the first generation fell short of expectations, mainly due to compatibility issues. Now, the company is preparing to make a comeback with a second version that aims to correct past mistakes and broaden its reach.
In recent years, Qualcomm has been working to expand beyond its traditional market of low-power mobile chips. Its entry into the laptop segment was well-intentioned but failed to make the desired impact due to software compatibility limitations. Still, the company hasn’t backed down from its vision. In fact, the new Snapdragon X Elite may even reach desktop PCs—provided Qualcomm manages to resolve the remaining challenges.
The arrival of ARM-based processors in conventional computers caught many by surprise. Qualcomm tried to spearhead this shift with a chip designed to dramatically reduce power consumption in laptops. Yet, the market response was lukewarm. Now, with companies like NVIDIA entering the scene, the landscape could change significantly. The upcoming Snapdragon X2 Elite is positioned to be a serious contender against more established names known for delivering top-tier performance.
A recent leak suggests Qualcomm is testing a dramatically upgraded configuration for its next-generation chip. According to reports, the Snapdragon X2 Elite will feature 18 cores built on the new Oryon V3 architecture—a 50% increase compared to the previous model’s 12 cores. It’s also expected to support up to 48 GB of RAM and 1 TB of SSD storage, signaling a significant leap in performance.
What’s more, Qualcomm has reportedly been testing configurations with up to 64 GB of integrated memory—an amount capable of running virtually any application smoothly, assuming software compatibility is on point. These advancements are also enabling the company to explore new form factors: for instance, Qualcomm has tested chips like the SC8480XP with 120 mm AIO liquid coolers, a clear indication of potential desktop deployment.
If all goes according to plan, the new Snapdragon X2 Elite could be officially launched in September, marking a new chapter in Qualcomm’s push to bring ARM processors to more demanding computing platforms.
