2024 has been a great year for PC hardware, with multiple releases that have pushed forward the limits of computing. Advancements within CPU hardware in particular, have been quite exciting – with the likes of Qualcomm and Apple joining the mix recently.
The release of the Snapdragon X Elite CPUs were monumental and finally gave Windows-based machines the edge they so greatly needed to compete against Apple Silicon, but it would seem that x86 might still have some life in it yet.
AMD’s recently launched Ryzen AI 9 series brings some intense competition to Qualcomm, and prospective buyers may be confused as to which CPU would be a better pick in 2024. To address the issue, a detailed analysis of the Snapdragon X Elite vs the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, along with their pros and cons can be found detailed below.
Snapdragon X Elite vs Ryzen AI 9 HX 370
A breakdown of the two CPUs can be found below, compared in the form of a table:
| CPU/Parameter | Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 | Snapdragon X Elite (X1E-00-1DE) |
|---|---|---|
| Cores/Threads | 12c/24t | 12c/24t |
| TDP | 15 – 54 W (28W typical) | 12 – 80 W (23W typical) |
| GPU | AMD Radeon 890M | Qualcomm Adreno X1 |
| Max Boost Clock | 5.1 GHz | 4.3 GHz |
| Architecture | x86 | ARM |
| NPU TOPS | 50 | 45 |
While both CPUs perform admirably, there do exist a key set of fundamental differences between the two. For starters, Ryzen is based on the older x86 architecture, while the X Elite is built on the more modern ARM architecture, which is mostly prevalent in smartphone SoCs.
This difference in architecture contributes toward issues in program compatibility – which is more pronounced in Qualcomm’s chips. In short, running traditional x86 based apps on the X Elite requires the usage of a translation layer, which is admittedly still in its nascent stages.
On the other hand, x86 based machines have always been typically less power efficient than their ARM counterparts, and the Ryzen chip (while still admittedly efficient on its own compared to other x86 CPUs) can in no way keep up with Apple or even Qualcomm in terms of efficiency and runtime on a single charge.
Both processors possess an NPU, with the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 boasting 5 extra TOPS of processing power over the Qualcomm variant (for a total of 50 TOPS). While impressive on its own, it should be kept in mind that the difference is largely minimal.
Furthermore, CoPilot features are currently entirely absent on the Ryzen AI series, and are slated to launch sometime later time this year.
Finally, in terms of graphics performance, the AMD processor takes a massive lead over the X Elite, in terms of both compatibility and raw horsepower. The HX 370 comes with 16 Compute Units and can handle almost any modern AAA game you throw at it – provided you keep your expectations in check. These are, after all, integrated solutions that will never have the same level of performance as dedicated, desktop GPUs.
Condensing the information above, we can draw the following list of pros and cons:
Pros of the X Elite:
- Incredible power efficiency and can last for a long time unplugged from the wall.
- A nascent platform with the promise of long-term support from both Microsoft and developers.
Cons of the X Elite:
- GPU performance is underwhelming.
- App compatibility is a hit or miss, and will remain so for a while, until the industry completes its transition to ARM.
Pros of the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370
- Powerful integrated GPU that can deliver a consistent gaming experience.
- x86 based hardware that has native access to the usual apps.
Cons of the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370
- Quite a fair deal less power efficient than ARM based chips.
- The future of x86 is uncertain.
Which CPU should you get in 2024?
Most prospective buyers would be better off purchasing an AMD Ryzen AI CPU as of now, given that Qualcomm’s X Elite chips still suffer from numerous compatibility issues and such for certain workloads (such as gaming).
The X Elite is probably still a better choice for those wanting a light, low-power machine for day-to-day tasks though (such as word processing), given its impressive battery life. Macbooks also remain a valid alternative.
