Qualcomm has launched new Snapdragon processors for Windows laptops. Initial tests report they are both performance-driven and energy-efficient. But there’s one issue – Qualcomm’s naming and numbering scheme is confusing.
In recent years, every major chipmaker has been using complicated naming conventions. Sometimes, they rebrand an old chip to relaunch it with some new bells and whistles. Intel changed their naming convention by dropping the ‘i,’ from their processor, and AMD’s naming scheme has also changed as they tossed in ‘AI’ to ride the artificial intelligence train. Then comes Qualcomm, making the names of their Snapdragon X series processors even harder to understand or remember.
Take the Snapdragon X1E 78 100, for example. Reminds me of Elon Musk’s kid’s name (X Æ A-12). Imagine trying to mention that in conversation. And as more processors get added to the lineup, it’ll only get more confusing.
So, to make things easier, we’ve broken down the Snapdragon X series CPU naming and numbering scheme and explained the differences between each processor, so you won’t have to scratch your head next time.
Snapdragon X Series Naming and Numbering Scheme
Snapdragon X Series CPUs come in two main SoC: Snapdragon X Elite and Snapdragon X Plus. In addition, there are a total of 8 processors to choose from. Here’s the full list of chipsets:
| Snapdragon X Elite | Snapdragon X Plus |
|---|---|
| X1E-00-1DE | X1P-66-100 |
| X1E-84-100 | X1P-64-100 |
| X1E-80-100 | X1P-46-100 |
| X1E-78-100 | X1P-42-100 |
Alright, let’s break down the naming and numbering scheme. We’ll use the Snapdragon X1P-66-100 as an example.
- The ‘X’ signifies the series – part of the Snapdragon X series or brand
- The ‘1’ signifies the generation – it’s the first generation of this chipset and keep in mind future generations will have higher numbers.
- The ‘P’ is for variant – Plus variant and if you see an ‘E’ that means it’s the Elite version.
- The ’66’ is the unique SKU number that changes with each processor. Snapdragon says, the higher the number, the better it is.
- Finally, the ‘100’ is currently reserved (no meaning as of now), but Qualcomm might use it for something specific in future chipsets.
Even though you’ve got the hang of the Snapdragon X series naming scheme, remembering the SKU and reserved numbers might still be tricky, especially if Qualcomm changes them with the 2nd generation of Oryon-based CPUs.
Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus Processors With Benchmarks
Now, let’s dive into the differences between each processor. But first, there are a few common features across the entire Snapdragon X series that you should know.
All Snapdragon X series CPUs come with a Hexagon NPU delivering up to 45 TOPS – essential for running AI-driven features on your Windows laptop. There’s no difference in memory or storage speed between the processors, unlike Apple’s M-series chips, where higher tiers get better speeds.
| Processor | Cores | Total cache | Max Frequency | Boost Frequency | Adreno GPU (TFLOPS) | Hexagon NPU (TOPS) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X1E-00-1DE | 12 | 42 MB | 3.8 GHz | 4.3 GHz (Dual-Core) | 4.6 | 45 |
| X1E-84-100 | 12 | 42 MB | 3.8 GHz | 4.2 GHz (Dual-Core) | 4.6 | 45 |
| X1E-80-100 | 12 | 42 MB | 3.4 GHz | 4.0 GHz (Dual-Core) | 3.8 | 45 |
| X1E-78-100 | 12 | 42 MB | 3.4 GHz | None | 3.8 | 45 |
| X1P-66-100 | 10 | 42 MB | 3.4 GHz | 4.0 GHz (Single-core) | 3.8 | 45 |
| X1P-64-100 | 10 | 42 MB | 3.4 GHz | None | 3.8 | 45 |
| X1P-46-100 | 8 | 30 MB | 3.4 GHz | 4.0 GHz (Single-core) | 2.1 | 45 |
| X1P-42-100 | 8 | 30 MB | 3.2 GHz | 3.4 GHz (Single-core) | 1.7 | 45 |
Note: X1E-00-1DE is exclusively a development chip and you won’t find it on any consumer laptop.
Oddly enough, the X1E-78-100, an Elite model, doesn’t include the Dual-Core Boost frequency feature, while even the lowest Plus variant still offers a single-core boost.
Now, for GPUs, you’ll see major differences across the tiers. The X1E-84-100, with its Adreno GPU, leads the pack with 4.6 TFLOPS of performance. As you move down the line, the GPUs in other variants drop slightly, offering up to 3.8 TFLOPS. At the lower end of the Snapdragon X Plus series (X1P-46-100 and X1P-42-100), you’ll get GPUs delivering 2.1 TFLOPS and 1.7 TFLOPS, respectively.
Snapdragon X Series Benchmark Scores
Finally, we’ve got the benchmark scores for each chipset in the Elite and Plus variants. Just remember, these scores don’t always reflect real-world performance, as they can vary depending on your Windows laptop’s hardware.
| Processor | Cinebench R23 (Single-Core) | Cinebench R23 (Multi-Core) | Geekbench 6.2 (Single-Core) | Geekbench 6.2 (Multi-Core) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| X1E-84-100 | 1790 | 14761 | 2880 | 15211 |
| X1E-80-100 | 1707 | 13257 | 2792 | 14584 |
| X1E-78-100 | 1515 | 12107 | 2349 | 13301 |
| X1P-66-100 | 1496 | 12347 | 2380 | 13299 |
| X1P-64-100 | 1469 | 11764 | 2349 | 12981 |
| X1P-46-100 | 1461 | 11462 | 2360 | 12890 |
| X1P-42-100 | 1128 | 7144 | 2353 | 10833 |
That’s all from us! We hope this guide has cleared up any confusion about the Snapdragon X series naming scheme. It’s an exciting time for ARM-based Windows laptops, and we can’t wait to see popular apps and games running natively on them. That said, Qualcomm still has some work to do to catch up with Apple’s M3 chip, which scored 1886 points in the Cinebench R23 single-core test and 3009 on GeekBench v6. However, thanks to more cores, Snapdragon does outperform the M3 in multi-core performance.
Before you go, if you know someone thinking about getting a Snapdragon-powered Windows laptop, feel free to share this article with them – it might help them figure out which processor is right for them.
