Qualcomm's Snapdragon X2 Elite: A Leap Forward in AI PC Chip Technology

Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite variant rumors surface -- New chip with 18 cores and 64GB RAM is reportedly already in testing

And the certainty that these SoCs will pack 18 Oryon V3 cores continues to grow. A seasoned tech tipster has stated that Qualcomm is testing Snapdragon X2 Elite devices in configurations with 64GB of RAM. Roland Quandt, best known for his exclusives published via Germany's WinFuture.de, stated this weekend that the "SC8480XP aka SD X2 Elite [is] in testing with 64GB RAM." He is also more convinced than ever that this upcoming Oryon V3 CPU architecture chip will come packing 18 cores. PC enthusiasts are hopeful that Qualcomm has learnt some lessons from its initial Snapdragon X Elite venture. It had a lot of help from Microsoft to spearhead Copilot PCs using the first Oryon architecture processors last June. However, interest in them fell sharply as AMD and Intel responded rather swiftly with their own power-sipping but potent AI/NPU-enhanced laptop processors. The last time we heard murmurings about the touted SC8480XP was back in March. At the time, we highlighted that 18 cores would increase the CPU core count by 50% vs the first-gen Snapdragon X Elite. Moreover, the newer architecture is expected to deliver its own performance boost. Rumors also point to the Snapdragon X2 Elite looking to push into the desktop side of the market, or even servers. This notion comes from chatter about Qualcomm testing chips like the SC8480XP with advanced cooling solutions, including a 120mm radiator toting AiO. That would mark quite an intergenerational change. Moving on to other SoC specs, like onboard RAM, the last we heard, the SC8480XP was being tested in Qualcomm SiP (system in package) format with 48GB RAM on board, as well as a 1TB SSD storage on board. Now it looks like options with up to 64GB of RAM on board may be offered. Quandt was at Computex 2025 and kept a keen eye on Qualcomm developments during the show. If his leaked info didn't come via a Qualcomm contact, perhaps a device partner talked about upcoming SC8480XP configurations behind closed doors somewhere in Taipei. Whatever the source, please add a touch of salt to these leaks until we hear directly from Qualcomm or a device partner. Since we've sailed by Computex without any official Snapdragon X2 Elite, or what might be called Snapdragon X2 Ultra Premium, news, we are most likely looking at the Snapdragon Summit 2025, in September, for Qualcomm to take the wraps off its next-gen processors. We will also hopefully see designs that Qualcomm's partners have come up with to sell these Windows-on-Arm devices to us.

Snapdragon X2 Elite for AI PCs tipped to feature up to 18 cores and 64GB of RAM

In context: Qualcomm did not unveil its next-generation Snapdragon X chips at Computex last month, choosing instead to highlight the AI capabilities of its existing hardware. However, the company is reportedly developing new processors for AI-powered PCs and has already begun testing the Snapdragon X2 Elite, which features a higher core count and improved memory support. According to reliable tipster Roland Quandt, Qualcomm is testing the Snapdragon X2 Elite - codenamed SC8480XP - in a high-end configuration featuring 64GB of RAM. Quandt also claims the new chip will include 18 cores, marking a 50 percecnt increase over the 12-core setup in the first-generation Snapdragon X Elite. An earlier leak from the same source suggested that the X2 Elite will incorporate the Oryon V3 CPU architecture, promising a significant performance boost over its predecessor. While there's no official confirmation yet on whether the chip will debut at the Snapdragon Summit in September, more details are likely to emerge in the coming weeks. SC8480XP aka SD X2 Elite in testing with 64GB RAM... looking like 18 core thing more and more. - Roland Quandt ( @rquandt.bsky.social) May 30, 2025 at 7:26 PM After receiving a lukewarm response to its Snapdragon X laptops last year, Qualcomm is aiming to make a bigger impact on the AI PC market with its second-generation chips. However, the company's ambitions are no longer limited to laptops. Recent reports suggest that Qualcomm is eyeing the desktop and server markets with its upcoming processors. To support these expansion plans, Qualcomm is reportedly testing the SC8480XP with advanced cooling solutions, including an AiO cooler with a 120mm radiator. The new system-in-package (SiP) was initially rumored to include 48GB of SK hynix RAM and 1TB of onboard SSD storage, but the latest leaks suggest that even more integrated memory could be on the table. Microsoft, meanwhile, has been betting heavily on its Copilot+ PCs, which are equipped with specialized processors featuring dedicated NPUs for on-device AI processing. According to the company, these NPUs can handle a large volume of AI operations per second, enabling features such as real-time translation, image generation, and more. Despite Microsoft's optimism, AI PC sales have been underwhelming so far. A report from last year revealed that only 720,000 Snapdragon X laptops were sold in Q3 2024 - accounting for less than one percent of the global PC market. The situation hasn't improved much since, with Intel recently admitting that its AI PC chip sales also remain significantly below expectations.

Snapdragon X2 Elite for AI PCs tipped to feature up to 18 cores...

In context: Qualcomm did not unveil its next-generation Snapdragon X chips at Computex last month, choosing instead to highlight the AI capabilities of its existing hardware. However, the company is reportedly developing new processors for AI-powered PCs and has already begun testing the Snapdragon X2 Elite, which features a higher core count and improved memory support. According to reliable tipster Roland Quandt, Qualcomm is testing the Snapdragon X2 Elite - codenamed SC8480XP - in a high-end configuration featuring 64GB of RAM. Quandt also claims the new chip will include 18 cores, marking a 50 percecnt increase over the 12-core setup in the first-generation Snapdragon X Elite. An earlier leak from the same source suggested that the X2 Elite will incorporate the Oryon V3 CPU architecture, promising a significant performance boost over its predecessor. While there's no official confirmation yet on whether the chip will debut at the Snapdragon Summit in September, more details are likely to emerge in the coming weeks. SC8480XP aka SD X2 Elite in testing with 64GB RAM... looking like 18 core thing more and more. - Roland Quandt ( @rquandt.bsky.social) May 30, 2025 at 7:26 PM After receiving a lukewarm response to its Snapdragon X laptops last year, Qualcomm is aiming to make a bigger impact on the AI PC market with its second-generation chips. However, the company's ambitions are no longer limited to laptops. Recent reports suggest that Qualcomm is eyeing the desktop and server markets with its upcoming processors. To support these expansion plans, Qualcomm is reportedly testing the SC8480XP with advanced cooling solutions, including an AiO cooler with a 120mm radiator. The new system-in-package (SiP) was initially rumored to include 48GB of SK hynix RAM and 1TB of onboard SSD storage, but the latest leaks suggest that even more integrated memory could be on the table. Microsoft, meanwhile, has been betting heavily on its Copilot+ PCs, which are equipped with specialized processors featuring dedicated NPUs for on-device AI processing. According to the company, these NPUs can handle a large volume of AI operations per second, enabling features such as real-time translation, image generation, and more. Despite Microsoft's optimism, AI PC sales have been underwhelming so far. A report from last year revealed that only 720,000 Snapdragon X laptops were sold in Q3 2024 - accounting for less than one percent of the global PC market. The situation hasn't improved much since, with Intel recently admitting that its AI PC chip sales also remain significantly below expectations. Permalink to story:

Snapdragon X2 Elite leak teases a monster 18-core chip with 64GB RAM

Just when we thought Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite was its boldest move, a fresh leak suggests the company's next chip is gearing up to break records. The newly uncovered Snapdragon X2 Elite variant, reportedly codenamed SC8480XP, boasts a whopping 18-core CPU configuration and up to 64GB of LPDDR5X RAM -- the highest we've ever seen in Qualcomm's Windows-on-ARM efforts. The leak, which comes via a test platform uncovered by @KOMACHI_ENSAKA and reported by TechPowerUp, indicates that Qualcomm may be preparing a chip powerful enough to blur the line between ARM laptops and high-end desktops. SC8480XP aka SD X2 Elite in testing with 64GB RAM... looking like 18 core thing more and more. -- Roland Quandt ( @rquandt.bsky.social) 30 May 2025 at 14:56 According to the leak, the X2 chip packs 18 Oryon V3 CPU cores, a 50% jump from the already formidable 12-core Snapdragon X Elite. That means more threads, better multitasking, and higher headroom for compute-heavy apps like video editing and local AI inference. The core architecture itself has evolved. Qualcomm's third-gen Oryon design, derived from the server-class NUVIA Phoenix cores, is expected to deliver up to 30% better single-thread performance, with even bigger gains in multi-core workloads. That puts Qualcomm squarely in the fight with AMD and Intel's most efficient silicon. But the spec sheet doesn't stop at core counts. Testing configs are reportedly running with up to 64GB of LPDDR5 RAM, representing a full 2x increase over current X Elite laptops. Qualcomm is also moving toward a System-in-Package (SiP) approach, directly embedding RAM and storage onto the processor. It's a move that echoes Apple Silicon but goes one step further, minimizing latency by eliminating external buses. There is a catch, though: SiP means that memory (and possibly storage) is integrated into the chip itself, so you won't be upgrading anything. What you buy is what you get. What's interesting here is that the X2 Elite is being tested with full-blown desktop cooling solutions, including a 120mm all-in-one liquid cooler. That's not standard issue for a thin-and-light laptop; it's desktop-tier gear. And it suggests that Qualcomm may be prototyping desktop or high-TDP laptop configurations. This would mark a significant departure from Qualcomm's previous strategy, which focused on ultra-portables and long battery life. It now seems that the company wants to scale ARM performance into new product classes, potentially rivaling Apple's M-series desktops and AMD's Strix Halo APU for creative workloads and local AI inference. It's worth noting that these tests are reportedly being conducted internally, and it's unclear whether such high-TDP devices will ever hit shelves, but the fact that Qualcomm is even testing them speaks volumes. It's also worth noting that Qualcomm might be positioning itself to compete more aggressively in the high-performance laptop segment, with the increased core count and memory support potentially making Arm-based laptops more appealing to power users. Regardless of how impressive the chip sounds, Windows on Arm still has work to do. Compatibility and optimization remain sore spots, even despite Microsoft's recent Copilot+ PC initiative and more OEMs embracing Snapdragon silicon. Qualcomm's hardware might be catching up or even surpassing Apple and Intel on paper, but real-world performance will depend on software doing its part. There's also the matter of timing. Qualcomm is expected to unveil new Snapdragon X-series chips at its Snapdragon Summit 2025, scheduled for September 23-25 in Hawaii. It's unclear whether the 18-core X2 Elite will headline that event, but when Laptop Mag spoke to Qualcomm leaders at Computex in May, all questions about the X2 were met with "come to Snapdragon Summit." If leaks are true, the 18-core Snapdragon X2 Elite might just be Qualcomm's most aggressive move yet. With 64GB RAM support, an ultra-dense integrated design, and desktop-class cooling in test environments, the question now is whether the ecosystem -- apps, drivers, and thermal envelopes -- can keep up with the silicon. If it can? ARM might finally be ready to challenge x86 where it hurts.