Qualcomm Snapdragon X vs X2 Elite: Windows ARM Laptop Performance

Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon X2 Elite shows strong CPU gains but continues to struggle with consistent GPU performance in modern games.

Hardware by Masaru Hoshino on Apr 08, 2026

Two generations of Qualcomm's efforts to develop an ARM chip that works with Windows are before us. The conflict between old and new isn't really fair, but it's still worth looking into. The outcome is a complete disaster.

The problem is that the older chip in the Microsoft laptop is a base model of the original Qualcomm ARM series. In contrast, the ASUS laptop has a higher-end X2 Elite variation. Qualcomm's nomenclature system remains unclear, making it hard to distinguish between tiers. Even though there is an imbalance, future testing will try to push the newer system harder in tougher situations.

Qualcomm Snapdragon X, X2 Elite, Windows ARM Laptop Performance, NoobFeed

First Impressions of the ASUS ZenBooks

ASUS ZenBooks showcase the latest generation. They come in 16-inch and 14-inch sizes with varied configurations. The 16-inch model has a lot more RAM and storage than the 14-inch variant, which is more modest. Both devices stick out right away since they are light and feel high-end.

The 14-inch model comes with a smaller 100W adaptor, while the 16-inch model comes with a 130W power brick. This means that power is used efficiently, depending on how well it works. ASUS's "Ceraluminum" material continues to impress with its unique texture and long-lasting durability.

The 16-inch model has a finish that looks like sand and can look classy or a little dull depending on the light. The 14-inch model, on the other hand, is a more neutral gray.

The 16-inch laptop is bigger, but it feels surprisingly light, even lighter than many other laptops of the same size. Both laptops have similar I/O ports on the left side. The 16-inch model has an SD card reader on the right side. The hinge design makes it easy to open with one hand, yet the whole thing stays thin and flexible.

Keyboard, Trackpad, and Design Details

The trackpad is very large and has a nice feel; it does tend to get smudged. On the other hand, the Ceraluminum surface does a good job of preventing fingerprints. The keyboard feels different from most computers, with a slightly soft, resistive feel that makes typing feel different.

One thing that stands out is the lack of a numpad, even on the 16-inch model. Some design choices, such as where the power button is, might not seem right at first, but overall, the device is still easy to use.

Internal Design and Upgrade Limitations

When you open the 16-inch model, you can see that it has a very thin chassis, which makes it so light. The design is in line with modern laptops, but it doesn't allow for many upgrades. You can replace the M.2 SSD, but the RAM is built into the architecture and can't be updated.

The system has a battery about the right size and visible cooling components. Still, it is not very flexible when it comes to changes.

Qualcomm Snapdragon X, X2 Elite, Windows ARM Laptop Performance, NoobFeed

Gaming Performance on Snapdragon X Chips

The testing starts with the 14-inch model, which isn't as powerful. At first, performance in Counter-Strike 2 at 1080p on low settings seems fine, with a frame rate of about 80 fps. But significant stuttering becomes clear quickly, making the experience far from smooth. The stuttering doesn't go away, even after extensive testing.

Doom Eternal runs much better, getting near to 100 fps at 1200p medium settings. The game runs smoothly, indicating that the hardware can maintain stable performance under the right conditions.

It's tougher to play Cyberpunk 2077. At 1200p on medium settings, the frame rate dips to the low 20s, which makes for a poor experience. With balanced settings, FidelityFX raises the frame rate to about 40 fps, which makes the game virtually playable. The OLED screen makes things look better, but the hardware has trouble with high workloads.

Comparing Old vs New Snapdragon Performance

In other circumstances, switching to the older Snapdragon CPU shows surprisingly competitive results. In Counter-Strike 2, the older system has better 1% lows since it stutters less, even though the average fps is lower. This makes the experience more stable, even when the peak performance is lower.

The updated chip in Doom Eternal works far better than the original one, giving you a substantial increase in fps. Cyberpunk 2077 still has problems on both systems, and no one gives a genuinely pleasant experience.

Scaling Up with the 16-Inch Model

The 16-inch model at the higher end exhibits small improvements. In Counter-Strike 2, the game runs a little better, and stuttering happens less often, but it still happens. Doom Eternal gets a boost and runs at about 100 frames per second.

Without aggressive upscaling, Cyberpunk 2077 runs at roughly 40 fps, which is the same pace as the smaller model with FidelityFX turned on. This is better, but it's still not what you'd expect from a high-end device.

When you compare it to a 16-inch MacBook Pro with an M2 Pro chip, you can see that the older Apple hardware is better for gaming than the current Qualcomm system. In CPU-focused scores like Cinebench R23, meanwhile, Qualcomm's processor makes up some distance by beating the M2 Pro.

Qualcomm Snapdragon X, X2 Elite, Windows ARM Laptop Performance, NoobFeed

Attempting External GPU Integration

To overcome the GPU's limitations, an OCuLink adapter connects an external RX 7600 XT GPU. To do this, you need to take out the internal SSD and boot Windows 11 ARM from an external drive.

Setting up a bootable external device and changing the BIOS settings are the first steps. The system can see the external drive, but it can't boot properly, so it goes through boot cycles and errors repeatedly.

More attempts with different tools and methods also don't work. In the end, Qualcomm doesn't allow external GPU drivers for Windows 11 ARM PCs right now, which makes the setup impossible.

Final Thoughts

The newer Snapdragon X CPUs are clearly better than the older ones, especially in CPU performance and in several gaming situations. But the GPU's performance is still a major problem, especially in demanding games.

These laptops are attractive because they are light, well-made, and use less power, but they don't have a GPU or software support, which makes them less useful. To work better on workloads that require high performance, future versions will need to fix these problems.

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