Qualcomm is developing a new laptop processor that will compete with the Apple M2. Rumors provide the first facts about the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 4 processor.
A Windows laptop with a Qualcomm Snapdragon CPU has yet to persuade us. The Lenovo Thinkpad X13s would come closer thanks to the manufacturer’s efforts, but Windows chip and software integration remained a challenge.
Qualcomm is not given up on the case and is developing fresh generations of potential fleas. She has specifically purchased the firm Nuvia, founded by Apple veterans responsible for the amazing Apple M1 and M2 chip design that we know today.
The products of this acquisition now have an official name: Oryon, which Qualcomm plans to discuss soon. Rumors speak for the brand while it waits for it to speak.
A MORE EFFICIENT PROCESSOR
These fresh rumors are delivered via the Twitter account @Za Raczke. We are repeating his claims since they may be supported by other journalistic sources, such as Roland Quandt.
Leak: update on Qualcomm's Apple M rival – 8cx Gen 4, codename Hamoa 🧵 pic.twitter.com/1tptCk8ghf
— Kuba Wojciechowski⚡ (@Za_Raczke) January 20, 2023
According to the Internet user, Qualcomm will release a Snapdragon 8cx Gen 4 processor, previously known as Hamoa, with 8 high performance hearts and 4 energy saving hearts. Qualcomm would operate at 3.4 GHz for the former and 2.5 GHz for the latter.
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An earlier confirmation from the internet, in November, stated that the 12 hearts will use the Nuvia Phoenix architecture, also known as Oryon by Qualcomm.
NVIDIA GEFORCE TO THE QUALCOMM RESCUE ?
To enhance performance, the processor would be able to manage up to 64 GB of the newest generation LPDDR5X RAM across 8 separate channels.
The graphics processor would be an Adreno 740, similar to the one seen in the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2. The most intriguing part comes next: Qualcomm intended 8 PCI Express 4.0 lanes to manage a separate graphics unit.
In other words, portable PCs would include a Snapdragon 8CX Gen 4 processor for the CPU and an Nvidia GeForce or AMD Radeon chip for the graphics circuit. We can see why Qualcomm would not include a better graphics unit on its latest SoC. This opens the door for Qualcomm handheld PCs that are specifically tailored for video gaming and content development.
This would enable computers equipped with an 8CX Gen 4 Snapdragon to operate up to three extremely high resolution displays (one 5K and two 4K) as well as 4K AV1 decoding and encoding. An ingredient missing from the most recent Apple processors.
Additionally, the company is claimed to be planning extra PCI Express 4.0 lines for SSD NVMe storage, as well as PCI Express 3.0 lines for modem and Wi-Fi. The latter would be supported by Wi-Fi 7, as shown on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.
AND AI
Following the CPU and graphics chip is the AI chip, which at Qualcomm is an upgraded Hexagon Tensor Processor with 45 TOPS ( INT 8 ). Microsoft is putting more emphasis on AI to improve integrated services in Windows 11, which could boost Qualcomm performance.
WHEN IS AN OFFICIAL PRESENTATION ?
The @Za Raczke Internet user did not provide a date for the unveiling of this new chip. Given the quantity of facts provided here, one may expect the official announcement to be made soon.
The location of this presentation appears to be set in stone: the MWC in Barcelona at the end of February. Lenovo revealed the ThinkPad X13s with a Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 processor at MWC 2022.
Another potential event for Qualcomm is the Taipei Computex. It is a computer-focused trade show annually in June.
