Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus: New 8-core CPU to lower notebook prices
As expected, Qualcomm today unveiled the new 8-core Snapdragon X Plus processor at IFA 2024. The chip is positioned below the 12-core Snapdragon X Elite and 10-core X Plus models. It has the same architecture, but is significantly weaker in terms of graphics and is therefore primarily suitable for entry-level notebooks.
The 8-core Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus has 12 MB less CPU cache (30 MB in total). In addition, only half the GPU power is on board for games and productivity apps. This means about 50% worse graphics performance according to Qualcomm’s own benchmarks, a 20% drop below the 12-core Snapdragon X Elite in CPU tasks, and about the same productivity performance as the 10-core X Plus processors.
What’s important is that the Snapdragon X Plus 8-core will drive notebook prices down even further than Qualcomm ARM chips did this year. The first Snapdragon laptops with the new processor will officially break cover in the coming days. Devices like the Asus Vivobook S 15 with the 8-core X Plus will cost around $899 (€811), while laptops equipped with the 12-core X Elite will nominally cost $1,300 (€1,173). Thanks to the Snapdragon X Plus 8-core, Dell’s Inspiron 14 will also retail for $899.
