From www.pcworld.com
Quick Points
- The reality is So, Qualcomm just dropped some pretty interesting stuff around their Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme processor.
- It turns out it can support on-package memory, but the regular X2 Elite chips can't – essentially, kind of a quirky detail.
- During testing, they had 48GB of embedded memory in one setup, but it’s not something consumers can expect right off the bat. What's interesting is they say this memory size is pretty arbitrary.
- They did mention that future configurations could offer different amounts of RAM, which offers flexibility to PC makers.
- Basically, while there’s potential here, most users might never even notice these fancy specs.
Image: Mark Hachman / Foundry
One of the most confusing moments of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Summit was when I accidentally flipped over the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme in the testing room. Was that actually embedded memory?
Yes, it is. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme Arm processor does support on-package memory as an option, though the standard X2 Elite chips do not. Kedar Kondap, Qualcomm’s senior vice president of compute and gaming, told PCWorld that the 48GB of embedded memory that the X2 Elite Extreme was simply a choice Qualcomm made for performance testing, not a number PC makers are locked into.
That’s probably why Qualcomm barely mentioned the technology at all — it’s confusing, and probably not a feature consumers will ever see, let alone be aware of. Still, it’s worth knowing about.
“There’s a 12-core version, actually, that does have the off-chip memory,” Kondap said, referring to the Snapdragon X2 Elite. “There’s an 18-core version that has an off-chip memory. There’s an 18-core version that can have the integrated memory [the Elite Extreme]. You have the option.”
But why 48 gigabytes of memory, exactly?
Regarding the memory size of the Elite Extreme, Kondap said that the 48GB inside the Elite Extreme was an arbitrary amount. “It’s not limited,” he said. “48 gigabytes is what was available in this particular device, but it’s not restricted to be 40. Somebody could say I just want to put 24 inside, and I’m good with it and that’s 100-percent perfectly okay.”
That memory will be configurable, as it normally is, between ordinary system RAM and VRAM, Kondap added.
Aside from the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme, it looks like PC makers will have a more ordinary array of memory options than I first thought. And they’ll be able to run them on battery without losing performance, too.
Disclosure: Qualcomm held its press briefings in Hawaii, and would not pre-brief reporters in other locations or over video meetings. They paid for my room, boarding, and travel expenses, but did not ask for or exert any editorial control over this story or other PCWorld content.
Author: Mark Hachman, Senior Editor, PCWorld
Mark has written for PCWorld for the last decade, with 30 years of experience covering technology. He has authored over 3,500 articles for PCWorld alone, covering PC microprocessors, peripherals, and Microsoft Windows, among other topics. Mark has written for publications including PC Magazine, Byte, eWEEK, Popular Science and Electronic Buyers’ News, where he shared a Jesse H. Neal Award for breaking news. He recently handed over a collection of several dozen Thunderbolt docks and USB-C hubs because his office simply has no more room.
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Sounds Nerdy Insights
- This brings to light how Qualcomm's pushing boundaries in mobile processing without overwhelming users with details; it’s smart marketing when you surprisingly, think about it.
- I find it curious how they seem hesitant to heavily promote this more complex memory tech—maybe they're concerned it could confuse average consumers?
- These raises a question about AMD and Intel: are they going to have to step up their game now that Qualcomm is getting into the super-level concept of integrated memory? They have a competitive landscape to think about!
- By making memory customizable down the line, Qualcomm's playing into market trends where personalization and scalability matter more to businesses and gamers alike.
- There's also this broader trend where companies are zooming in on performance versus power consumption—running smoothly on battery doesn’t just sound good; it's crucial for everything from gaming laptops to business ultrabooks.
- This makes me ponder what functionality other OEMs might be able to offer by using the different cores—do we start seeing truly tailored devices that meet specific user needs? Manufacturing-wise, it’ll be quite fascinating!
- This makes you realize how insulation around optimum performance has kind of disappeared—we’re still far largely limited by consumer hardware space and budget decisions rather than giant quantum leaps forward in capabilities. It feels like there's a gap waiting to be filled with creativity!
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