As we approach the launch of ARM-based Snapdragon X Elite laptops, new details are emerging regarding the chipset’s performance, benchmarks, and x86-x64 compatibility. At the 2024 Game Developers Conference (GDC), Qualcomm engineers revealed intriguing information about gaming compatibility on the upcoming Snapdragon X Elite chipset for PCs. As per The Verge’s report, Qualcomm expresses confidence that PC games will run smoothly on Snapdragon X Elite.
There are three methods through which x86-x64 games will run on Snapdragon X Elite. Developers have two options: first, they can port the game to the native ARM64 architecture for optimal performance and efficiency. Second, they can create an emulation-compatible app called ARM64EC, where Windows libraries and Qualcomm drivers run natively, while the rest of the app is emulated. In this scenario, games would deliver near-native performance.
Thirdly, and perhaps most significantly, if developers don’t make any changes, x86-x64 apps should work seamlessly using Windows x64 emulation. In this case, all x86 binaries are translated to ARM64, which initially impacts CPU performance (and battery life). However, this translation only occurs the first time the code is executed. Subsequently, the emulation layer utilizes the ARM64 cache directly.
Additionally, to ensure gaming compatibility on Snapdragon X Elite, Qualcomm has prepared Adreno GPU drivers for Microsoft’s graphics API, DirectX. Qualcomm has already developed GPU drivers for DirectX 11, 12, Vulkan, and OpenCL. Furthermore, it supports the older DirectX 9 API and OpenGL 4.6 through the DX9on12 and GLon12 layers, respectively.
Qualcomm has stated that x64 emulation has seen significant improvement on Windows on ARM (WoA), offering good performance even when passing through the emulation layer. The company is actively testing popular Steam games on Snapdragon X Elite and is confident that these gaming titles will work seamlessly on the WoA platform. However, Qualcomm notes that if a game includes an anti-cheat system that uses a kernel driver, the x64 emulation will not function.
Previously, we witnessed Apple achieve a similar feat with the Rosetta 2 translation layer during its transition from Intel processors to its in-house M-series Apple Silicon. The true extent of the improvement in x64 emulation remains to be seen and will likely be revealed over time. Microsoft is expected to release the Surface Laptop 6 and Surface Pro 10 featuring the Snapdragon X Elite chipset, with an in-person event scheduled for May in Seattle.
In addition to Microsoft’s devices, Samsung is also planning to launch the Galaxy Book4 “Edge” with the Snapdragon X Elite chipset. Other OEMs such as Lenovo, HP, Acer, Asus, and more are also planning to release laptops featuring the Qualcomm chipset by June of this year. With the reported improvements in gaming compatibility, are you excited about the prospect of ARM-powered Windows laptops? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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