Lecture Notes: Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite Gaming Performance

Introduction

• Qualcomm released the Snapdragon X Elite processors for Windows laptops.
• Review highlights impressive battery life and good performance.
• Focus: Testing app compatibility, especially games.

Key Points on Snapdragon X Elite

• Qualcomm positions these as energy-efficient, non-gaming laptops but highlights game compatibility in marketing.
• Issues experienced: Gaming laptops are not the primary intent but substantial marketing implies game compatibility.
• Noteworthy games demonstrated: Baldur's Gate 3.
• ABX2 requirement for some games not compatible.

Testing Environment

• Systems tested: Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge (Snapdragon X Elite) vs Asus VivoBook S15 (Intel Core Ultra 7 155H).
• Specific aim: Comparing gaming performance and compatibility of Snapdragon X Elite against a more typical Intel laptop CPU.
• Stream used merch messages for game recommendations from viewers.

Games Tested

Successes

1. Deep Rock Galactic: Playable with acceptable performance on low settings.
2. Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition: Achieved moderately good performance, multiplayer functional.
3. Factorio: Stable 60 FPS, confirming compatibility.
4. Marvel’s Spider-Man: Performance hit, but playable with visual glitches (e.g., hair rendering issues).
5. Psychonauts 2: Compatibility confirmed with good performance.
6. City Skylines: Manageable performance adjustments, runs smoothly in simple scenarios.
7. Rocket League: Playable though occasionally inconsistent frame pacing.
8. Doom 2016: Performance functional on low-medium settings but not ideal.
9. Gary's Mod: Adequate if a little stuttering in multiplayer games (like Prop Hunt).
10. Halo 2 (Master Chief Collection): Operational without easy anti-cheat, acceptable performance.
11. BeamNG.drive: Lower settings required, but capable of playable frame rates.
12. Skyrim: Older game, good compatibility with lower settings.

Partial Successes

1. Destiny 2: Anti-cheat issues led to incompatibility but theoretically playable without it.
2. Cyberpunk 2077: Playable but very low performance, more testing needed.
3. Rainbow Six Siege: Performance hit but functional, notable frame rate dips.

Failures

1. Valheim: Crashed repeatedly, unresolved compatibility issues.
2. Deep Rock Galactic (High Settings): Only tolerable on very low settings, significant performance drops on higher configurations.
3. Street Fighter 6: Locked at 30 FPS, unplayable experience due to frame pacing.
4. Team Fortress 2: Refused to launch entirely, compatibility issues.
5. Hell Divers 2: Required ABX2 incompatible.
6. 7 Days to Die: Required anti-cheat functionality, led to failed launch.
7. Fallout: New Vegas: Crashing issues, unable to run properly.

Summary Data

• Tested 34 games in total (Consider including final tally in notes for clarity but assumed accurate).
• 17 Passes (50% works as expected), 3 Partial Passes, 14 Fails.

Discussion and Conclusion

• Snapdragon X Elite offers an admirable battery life edge but notable limitations in compatibility and some performance issues for heavier games.
• Substantial marketing claims on game compatibility vs. non-gaming laptop reality causes mixed user expectations.
• Conclusion: Viable option where battery life is critical, and light-to-moderate gaming is a bonus but not primary purpose.