Let’s be honest: Windows on Arm has been disappointing so far as a real contender for x86-based Windows laptops with Intel or AMD processors. But Apple has shown very well with its own chips that ARM-based technology offers its advantages and can develop high efficiency as well as sometimes brutal performance. With the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 4, Qualcomm may finally catch up and become a true Apple M2 killer.
It has long been rumored that Qualcomm is planning a dedicated desktop processor after the Nuvia acquisition. CPU design is forged, formed Former member of the Apple chip design team, which also laid the foundation for today’s very successful Apple silicon chips, is said to be working on significantly more powerful ARM-based CPUs for Qualcomm. The Snapdragon 8cx doesn’t seem to really pick up speed after the third generation, with the fourth generation likely to change.
As we reported in November last year, A chip design called Phoenix With 12 cores can already be used in 2024. Qualcomm will probably name the chip “Hamoa” below New Orion series Leads and implements devices from Acer, Asus, HP, Lenovo, Microsoft, Samsung and Xiaomi.
New details on the Orion chip for Windows on Arm
From a Polish developer Kuba Wojciechowski, who first published the leak back then, more information about the supposed Snapdragon 8cx Gen 4 is now surfacing. Accordingly, a 12-core is confirmed again, which should have eight performance cores and four efficiency cores. Qualcomm is currently called Chip with ~3.4 GHz (P core). or ~2.5 GHz (E core).
According to Wojciechowski, a 4-core block should be used Share 12MB L3 cache, plus 8 MB of L3 cache. Above should still be 12 MB system-level-cache As well as 4 MB of memory for graphics applications. In terms of memory, the integrated controller will likely support up to 64 GB of LPDDR5x (8-channel) with an optional low-power function up to 4.2 GHz.
The integrated graphics unit should be a Adreno 740 is used, which is Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Works – The current top chip for Android smartphones. It will support DirectX 12, Vulkan 1.3, OpenCL and DirectML. Still, the chip will enable an external graphics solution via eight PCIe 4.0 lanes.
There should be a total of four lanes (configurable as 2×2) for an NVMe SSD, alternatively there is probably one 2-lane UFS 4.0 controller For capacities up to 1 TB on board. Additional PCIe 3.0 lanes should be available for a WiFi module and modem. According to Wojciechowski, “Hamoa” is supposed to be here even Wi-Fi 7 supported. For modems, Qualcomm will likely recommend an (externally integrated) Snapdragon X65 to device makers.
Perfect for video editing?
Also, Snapdragon 8cx Gen 4 should have 2x USB 3.1 (10 Gbit/s), 3x USB 4 (aka Thunderbolt 4) As well as 1x DisplayPort 1.4a. For display, maximum bandwidth is stated for 5K + 4K + 4K configuration. The chip should also Decode up to 4K120 and can encode up to 4K60, including AV1. And to boost AI performance, Qualcomm has reworked the Hexagon Tensor core to potentially achieve up to 45 TOPS (INT 8). The Partnerships with Microsoft and Adobe In terms of AI acceleration, there must be an advantage.
it should Exciting in any case How good is the new Qualcomm chip against x86 CPUs and Apple silicon? But one thing is certain: competition stimulates business and ensures that we have better computers in the end. At least in the Windows area, it will be exciting A Mac mini format on the desktop Being able to stand and enjoy the performance of a large desktop system – but much smaller and with a fraction of the power otherwise required.
March 1, 2023 Update: Launch in October
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Qualcomm CEO Cristiano R. Amon has confirmed that a rival chip to the Apple A2 is expected to be available September or October To be presented in 2023. The first devices based on the upcoming chip should already be available Late 2023 or early 2024 The demonstrated SoC is currently sold under Codename “Hamoa” and developed under the model number “SC8380”. So far it is believed that the chip could be released as Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 4. We will probably only find out the official name during the presentation.
up to date [08.08.2023]: Three models compete with the M3
a new one Reported by WinFuture Provides upcoming new details Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 4. Accordingly, the chip, codenamed “Hamoa”, will receive a specially adapted ARM core known as Orion. The manufacturer is probably planning three variants with the designation SC8350, SC8370 and SC8380towards them Four, six or eight corresponding cores To be used. Furthermore, each Four Competency Cores As expected, there will be versions with different clock rates, which also differ in terms of power loss. This is intended to expand Qualcomm’s CPU portfolio to better compete with AMD, Apple and Intel.
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