Qualcomm Unveils New PC Processor to Rival Intel & AMD

On September 24, Qualcomm officially unveiled its Snapdragon X2 Elite processor series, claiming it to be "the fastest and most powerful processor for Windows PCs." The new X2 Elite not only delivers strong traditional computing performance but also makes significant strides in AI processing, injecting fresh momentum into the PC industry.

Kedar Kondap, GM of Qualcomm's Compute and Gaming Division, noted that the X2 Elite series redefines PC potential through a balance of performance, AI capabilities, and battery efficiency. The processor features an 80 TOPS Hexagon NPU, the fastest laptop NPU in the world, designed to fully support the Microsoft Copilot+ PC platform and handle complex AI and multitasking workloads.

For traditional computing, the X2 Elite Extreme leverages Qualcomm's third-generation Oryon CPU architecture, offering a 75% performance boost over competitors at the same power level. Its new Adreno GPU architecture delivers 2.3× better performance-per-watt efficiency than the previous generation, showcasing Qualcomm's design expertise in high-performance processors.

Designed for high-end PCs, the X2 Elite Extreme targets professional creators, filmmakers, and scientific researchers, capable of tackling compute-intensive tasks such as data analysis and professional media editing. Compared with its predecessor, the X2 Elite delivers 31% higher performance while reducing power consumption by 43%, highlighting the ARM architecture's efficiency advantage.

Laptops equipped with the X2 Elite are expected to launch in the first half of 2026. As AI-powered PCs gain momentum, Qualcomm leverages its mobile processor experience to enter the PC market, competing with x86-based platforms while offering differentiated strengths in AI processing and battery life—potentially reshaping a market long dominated by Intel and AMD.