Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite Outperforms Intel Core Ultra X7 in Signal65 Benchmarks
Independent testing firm Signal65 released benchmark results showing Qualcomm's 18-core Snapdragon X2 Elite (X2E-88-100) outperforming Intel's Core Ultra X7 358H across CPU, AI, and battery endurance tests. The ARM-based processor achieved a Geekbench 7 multi-core score of 24,016, beating Intel's 18,360 score by 31%. The findings highlight the growing competitiveness of ARM architecture against traditional x86 laptop processors in raw performance and AI acceleration. As Qualcomm expands its PC chip lineup, PC manufacturers gain viable high-efficiency options that challenge the long-standing x86 market dominance. The Snapdragon X2 Elite led in UL Procyon AI Computer Vision benchmarks with a score of 4,360 versus Intel's 2,302, and recorded longer battery life in local video playback (16.1 hours vs 14.4 hours). However, Intel's Core Ultra X7 retained an edge in office battery endurance, running for 17.4 hours compared to Snapdragon's 14.3 hours.
## BACKGROUND
Qualcomm's Snapdragon X processor series relies on custom Oryon CPU cores built on ARM architecture designed to maximize power efficiency in laptops. Intel's Core Ultra lineup relies on the x86-64 Panther Lake architecture paired with integrated Arc graphics. Benchmark suites like Geekbench 7 and UL Procyon assess multi-threaded CPU throughput and dedicated AI computer vision workloads.