The Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme X2E-96-100 is attracting attention for the first time with real benchmark results. After Qualcomm had already presented the processor, the chip has now appeared in the Geekbench database for the first time – tested in a laptop from Asus. The results provide a first impression of the performance of the new ARM processor for Windows devices and show that Qualcomm could catch up significantly in competition with Apple, Intel and AMD.
- Strong CPU performance: 4,033 points in the single-core and 23,198 points in the multi-core test in Geekbench 6.5
- New Adreno X2-90 GPU: Almost double the performance of the previous generation
- Test device: Asus Zenbook A16 with 48 GB RAM
- Windows-on-ARM offensive: Qualcomm positions itself more strongly against Intel, AMD and Apple chips
Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme X2E-96-100 shows strong CPU results in Geekbench test
The first benchmark data for the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme X2E-96-100 provides an exciting preview of the next generation of ARM processors for Windows laptops. The chip was discovered in the Geekbench 6.5 test and achieved 4,033 points in the single-core test and 23,198 points in the multi-core benchmark.
These values largely confirm Qualcomm’s performance promises. The new processor performs particularly well in the single-core range. The score is even slightly higher than that of the Apple M4 Max, which achieved around 3,880 points in the same benchmark. In the multi-core test, however, the Apple chip remains ahead with around 25,760 points.
Compared to current Windows processors, the Snapdragon X2 Elite is particularly strong. Both AMD’s Strix Halo platform and Intel’s current Panther Lake generation are clearly outperformed according to the benchmark data. This shows that Qualcomm is making its ARM architecture increasingly competitive in the laptop segment.
The chip was tested in a variant of the Asus Zenbook A16, which is equipped with 48 GB of RAM. This is presumably still a pre-production model, as many of the Snapdragon X2 laptops presented at CES 2026 are not yet officially available in stores.
Such results are particularly important for the Windows-on-ARM ecosystem. Until now, Apple’s Silicon strategy was considered the benchmark for efficient ARM processors in the laptop sector. With the Snapdragon X2 Elite, Qualcomm could now offer a serious alternative in the Windows segment for the first time.
GPU performance of the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme surprises in the first benchmark
In addition to the CPU, the integrated graphics also deliver the first interesting results. The Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme’s Adreno X2-90 GPU achieves around 44,786 points in the Geekbench OpenCL test.
This means that the graphics performance is almost twice as high as the previous generation. The older Adreno X1-85 GPU only achieved around 23,854 points in the same test. According to benchmark data, the new GPU has 16 compute units, which indicates a significantly enhanced architecture.
However, this result should be viewed with caution. The Geekbench data shows a clock frequency of just 1 MHz, which is obviously not realistic. Such data often occurs in early pre-production benchmarks and indicates that drivers or hardware data have not yet been fully recognized.
Despite these uncertainties, the value indicates that Qualcomm has also made significant improvements in the graphics area. This could make Windows-on-ARM devices more attractive, especially for GPU-accelerated applications, creative workflows or casual gaming.
However, gaming benchmarks and real tests in production devices are still missing for a final assessment. Only when the first Snapdragon X2 laptops actually appear on the market will it become clear how the performance behaves in everyday use and under continuous load.
Another factor is the increasing competition. Industry reports suggest that Nvidia is also planning its own ARM-based laptop chips, which could possibly be released in the course of 2026. This could further intensify competition in the field of high-performance ARM processors for notebooks.
Conclusion
The first benchmark results for the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme X2E-96-100 show that Qualcomm is making great progress in the laptop segment. The single-core performance in particular is impressive and can even compete with Apple’s current chips. The new Adreno X2 GPU also indicates a significant leap in performance. However, as only pre-production benchmarks are available so far, it remains to be seen how the processor will perform in final devices. The first Snapdragon X2 laptops are expected to come onto the market in the course of 2026.
