Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 Takes the Lead

Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 Optimized for AI

Qualcomm has recently made an announcement regarding the optimization of AI code to fully utilize the advanced capabilities of the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3. This optimization enables certain processes to run faster compared to low-power Intel chips. Consequently, this development enhances the appeal of the long-lasting Lenovo ThinkPad X13s and Microsoft Surface Pro 9 for AI enthusiasts who prioritize local execution of AI applications like Stable Diffusion for image generation, while maintaining portability.

At the Microsoft Build 2023 event, Qualcomm partnered with Microsoft to propel the AI processing capabilities of the Snapdragon compute platform to new heights. This collaboration involves leveraging the full stack of CPU, GPU, and NPU (neural processing unit) on ARM-based Windows 11 laptops, thereby accelerating the performance of artificial intelligence applications. The objective is not to replace cloud computing and server-class processors but rather to establish a hybrid approach that offers greater speed and efficiency.

In terms of performance benchmarks, the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 from Qualcomm delivered impressive results on the UL Procyon AI Inference benchmark. The scores demonstrated speeds over two and a half times faster than Intel’s 12th Gen Core i5-1235U when utilizing the integrated GPU, and five times faster when compared to the i5’s CPU. It is noteworthy that this is a significant comparison as these processors belong to the same class, although Intel’s i5-1235U is generally faster in overall processing tasks.

Furthermore, Qualcomm showcased the superiority of its Hexagon processor in AI-related operations. For instance, image enhancement tasks that took over four seconds when using only the CPU were accomplished in less than half a second with the Hexagon processor. Similarly, when it came to super resolution, which involves increasing the resolution of an AI-generated image, the Hexagon processor proved to be more than 12 times faster than utilizing the CPU alone.

Intel acknowledges the value of AI processors and has introduced a discrete AI processor for certain 13th Gen chips, with plans to integrate AI into the upcoming Meteor Lake, their next-generation product line.

In the interim, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 confidently asserts its superiority over Intel’s 12th Gen low-power chip with integrated graphics.