Adreno GPU tested with Windows games
Today marks the important date for Microsoft and Qualcomm, with the launch of the first Copilot+ systems, also the very first test for Snapdragon.
Source: Dave2D & Matthew Moniz
Qualcomm is currently the only supplier of Copilot+ certified systems. Their Snapdragon X Series laptops are officially launching today, along with the release of Microsoft’s new program for Windows-powered systems.
The Qualcomm Snapdragon X processor (System on a Chip) is built using a 4nm process and features a total of 12 Oryon CPU cores. It can boost up to 4.3 GHz with the fastest available variant. More importantly, it ships with built-in Adreno graphics and an NPU (Neural Processing Unit).
In terms of graphics, the processor appears to be a mid-ranger at best. The focus is on the NPU unit, which is currently the fastest on the market (45 trillion operations per second). However, it will soon face competition from AMD Strix Point and Intel Lunar Lake, which are just as fast or faster than Qualcomm’s chip.
Snapdragon X Series, Source: Qualcomm
Regarding reviews, there are only a handful, plus some first-hand tests from users who were able to buy these systems early. From the three reviews we linked below, we learn that the Snapdragon X Series offers very good performance and great battery life, even with x86 emulated software. The main issue is with graphics performance, as the Adreno GPU does not seem to deliver as expected.
Qualcomm X Series Reviews
- Notebookcheck – ASUS Vivobook S 15
- Matthew Moniz – ASUS Vivobook S 15
- Dave2D – ASUS Vivobook S 15
- TechTablets – ASUS Vivobook S 15
- Windows Central – ASUS Vivobook S 15
Snapdragon X Series in gaming, Source: TechTablets & Matthew Moniz
Besides the anticipated ARM emulation errors (some games won’t even start), some games do not allow users to change the resolution to match the screen, or show lower than expected framerates, even when upscaling is used. It is clear that the Snapdragon X is not designed for gamers, which explains why Qualcomm was not eager to discuss gaming as much as one might have hoped earlier.
Gaming performance is certainly the biggest weak point at the moment and this is where we had the most problems. Basically, it is not easy for users to find out whether there really is a native version or whether the game is emulated. We were not able to carry out all of our standard tests because there were some problems.
— Notebookcheck (translation)
Snapdragon X Series in gaming, Source: Notebookcheck
Sadly, it appears that we won’t be getting many reviews today, due to Microsoft change to Recall.
For those wondering where all the Copilot+ PC reviews are, after the Recall debacle last week MS told OEMs to hold review units until June 18 so it could put together a new ZDP that removes Recall / adds fixes. So most media outlets are only just getting review devices today.
— Zac Bowden (@zacbowden) June 18, 2024
This laptop features Copilot+ support, which encompasses several features such as Cocreator, Live Captions, and Audio and Video Effects. The Recall feature is now postponed, and some technologies like Automatic Super Resolution can only be used by Qualcomm hardware.
The list is definitely short for such an important launch, raising questions about the hype. The Copilot+ PC doesn’t use the NPU for on-device assistance; it still connects to an online service, now conveniently available through a special Copilot keyboard button. How Microsoft evolves its program for laptops and possibly desktops is something we will be watching in the future.
ASUS Vivobook S 15 review summary, Source: TechTablets
We certainly look forward to hearing more about Qualcomm’s efforts to enhance graphics performance. For instance, the new Adreno Control Panel is something we haven’t seen yet.
Source: Linked above