Qualcomm revealed during its recent Investor Day that the upcoming Snapdragon X Elite Gen 2 PC chip will utilize the Oryon v3 CPU. This announcement is unexpected, considering the Oryon v2 CPU was just unveiled last month, intended for the Snapdragon 8 Elite smartphone chipset. The current Snapdragon X Elite uses the Oryon v1, leading many to anticipate the second-generation chip would feature the Oryon v2. However, it appears Qualcomm’s PC chips will leapfrog a generation.
Graph from Qualcomm Investor Day keynote.
While details about the Oryon v3 remain scarce, Qualcomm has confirmed its superior performance compared to the v2. The Oryon v2 itself boasts a 30% speed increase and 57% improved power efficiency over the first generation. More concrete information about the v3 is expected at the next Snapdragon Summit, approximately a year away.
Currently, Qualcomm is focusing on generating excitement amongst audiences and investors. However, to truly make a significant impact, the Oryon v3 needs to rival the performance of current-generation Apple silicon. Whether this is achievable remains to be seen.
A key advantage of Apple silicon is its remarkable power efficiency, contributing significantly to the impressive battery life of Macs. The latest M4 chips incorporate “efficiency cores” capable of performing the same tasks as “performance cores” with a staggering 93% reduction in energy consumption.
This level of efficiency sets a high bar for Qualcomm to match. Nevertheless, competition fuels innovation and benefits consumers. Even Apple enthusiasts should be encouraged by Qualcomm’s pursuit of performance and efficiency gains in the PC processor market.
In conclusion, Qualcomm’s decision to integrate the Oryon v3 into the Snapdragon X Elite Gen 2 demonstrates its commitment to pushing the boundaries of PC performance. While the specifics of the v3 remain under wraps, the anticipation for its release is undeniable. The competition with Apple silicon promises an exciting future for the PC industry.