Snapdragon X2 Elite benchmarks show productivity wins, gaming gaps

Early benchmarks show Qualcomm's X2 Elite crushes productivity tasks, beating Intel and AMD in multi-core performance. But gaming lags behind competitors, with just 40fps in Cyberpunk 2077 versus 57fps for Apple's M5 Pro.

The Snapdragon X2 Elite benchmarks reveal Qualcomm's latest ARM processor excels in productivity but stumbles in gaming. As reported by WCCFTech, based on tests performed by YouTube channel Hardware Canucks on a pre-release Asus Zenbook, the X2 Elite scored 146 points in Cinebench 2024 single-core — a significant jump that beats Intel and AMD but still trails Apple's M5 Pro at 200 points.

Productivity performance leads the pack

The Snapdragon X2 Elite dominates multi-threaded workloads with 1,432 points in Cinebench 2024, outperforming Apple's M5 Pro (1,153) and easily beating Intel and AMD processors that failed to break 1,000 points. This represents a substantial improvement over the previous Snapdragon X Elite, which managed just 108 points in single-core testing.

GPU rendering tasks show even more dramatic gains. In Blender and Handbrake testing, the X2 Elite cut render times by over 40% compared to its predecessor. The performance leap puts it ahead of established competitors from AMD, Intel, and Apple in these productivity-focused benchmarks.

Gaming reveals the catch

Gaming tells a different story. Despite the new Adreno X2-90 GPU, the X2 Elite managed just 40fps in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1200p, trailing Intel's X9 388H (46fps) and Apple's M5 Pro (57fps).

Baldur's Gate 3 showed similar results — 54fps for the X2 Elite compared to 70fps for the M5 Pro and 59fps for Intel's offering. Counter Strike 2 highlighted the most significant gap, with Intel achieving 189fps while the X2 Elite managed 113fps at higher detail settings.

Power draw raises efficiency questions

The X2 Elite's performance comes at a cost. During testing, it drew 31W compared to 30W for AMD and Intel competitors and just 26W for Apple's M5 Pro. This raises questions about the efficiency gains that made the original Snapdragon X processors appealing.

Hardware Canucks didn't include battery life tests, leaving a key question unanswered. The original X-series chips competed on efficiency as much as performance — if that advantage diminishes, the value proposition changes significantly.

Pre-release caveats matter

These results come with important caveats. The tests used pre-release drivers and firmware on an unreleased Asus Zenbook, so final performance may differ. Gaming performance particularly could improve with optimised drivers — though the productivity advantages seem more fundamental to the architecture.

The X2 Elite Extreme variant promises even higher performance with 5.0GHz Oryon cores, potentially addressing some of these gaming shortcomings when it launches.

What this means for buyers

The X2 Elite positions itself as a productivity powerhouse that can handle light gaming rather than a gaming-first processor. For users prioritising content creation, coding, or office work, the performance gains over previous ARM chips are substantial.

No UAE pricing or availability has been announced for laptops featuring the X2 Elite. The chip targets the premium ultrabook segment where Apple's MacBooks currently dominate, suggesting pricing will likely start above Dhs 4,000 when it reaches the region.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Snapdragon X2 Elite perform in productivity tasks?

The X2 Elite excels in productivity with 146 single-core and 1,432 multi-core Cinebench scores, beating Intel and AMD. GPU rendering tasks like Blender see 40% faster render times versus the previous generation.

Is the Snapdragon X2 Elite good for gaming?

Gaming performance lags competitors. It manages 40fps in Cyberpunk 2077 versus 57fps for Apple's M5 Pro and 46fps for Intel's X9 388H. It's adequate for light gaming but not a gaming-focused chip.

What are the key improvements over the previous Snapdragon X Elite?

Single-core performance jumps from 108 to 146 in Cinebench. GPU rendering is over 40% faster in Blender and Handbrake tests. Multi-threading performance also sees substantial gains across productivity workloads.

When will Snapdragon X2 Elite laptops be available in UAE?

No UAE launch date or pricing has been announced. The chip targets premium ultrabooks, suggesting pricing will likely start above Dhs 4,000 when available in the region.