In 2024, Windows is seeing advancements with the introduction of Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite hardware in Copilot+ PCs, marking a viable alternative to traditional x86 processors and offering improved battery life. However, concerns arise regarding game compatibility, as Qualcomm’s claims that games should work seamlessly on Snapdragon X Elite chips may not hold true due to the specific platform requirements of game developers.
To test the performance of Qualcomm’s chips in PC games, a comparison was made between Microsoft’s Surface Laptop 7 with Qualcomm X1E-80-100 and Dell’s Inspiron 14 Plus 2-in-1 with an Intel Core Ultra processor and Intel Arc integrated graphics. The results showed a significant performance difference between the two.
Qualcomm’s naming conventions for their Snapdragon X chips can be confusing, but the X1E-80-100 chip is commonly used in laptops. Meanwhile, Intel provides integrated Arc graphics in some of their Core Ultra chips, with varying performance capabilities.
In gaming tests, Qualcomm’s Adreno X1 chip struggled with popular games like PUBG: Battlegrounds, Counter-Strike 2, and Apex Legends, facing issues with launching, gameplay freezes, and compatibility errors. On the other hand, Intel’s Arc graphics provided a smoother and more stable gaming experience in titles like Dota 2 and Diablo II: Resurrected.
When comparing performance in specific games like Sid Meier’s Civilization VI, Dota 2, and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition, Intel’s Arc consistently outperformed Qualcomm’s Adreno X1. Even in demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Intel Arc showed superior performance.
Overall, the lack of Windows on Arm support in the PC gaming community poses a challenge for Qualcomm, as native game development for Arm platforms is scarce. Until game developers adapt to support Windows on Arm, choosing an Intel laptop with Arc integrated graphics or an AMD Ryzen laptop would be a better option for gaming on entry-level laptops.
Article Source
https://www.pcworld.com/article/2378322/qualcomm-adreno-x1-vs-intel-arc-real-world-performance-in-7-games.html
