Which CPU for Your Next Windows Laptop? AMD Ryzen AI, Intel Core Ultra Series 2 or Qualcomm Snapdragon X

scotty on 06/09/2024 - 10:07

There were some Snapdragon X Elite/Plus Windows laptop released a few months ago, that almost challenge the performance and power efficiency of Apple silicon MacBooks. Then the latest Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 powered laptops were revealed last month that are leaps and bounds in comparison to previous x86 laptops. Intel Core Ultra series 2 based laptops showed up a few days ago claiming performance gain over Ryzen AI 9 in a low wattage context (no 3rd party benchmark yet). All of them have also put the emphasis on AI and neural processing unit although I am not too sure about the applications yet.

For those who might be shopping for a new thin-and-light Windows laptop before the year ends, which of the 3 would you pick, and why?

Poll Options

  • 35
    AMD Ryzen AI
  • 8
    Intel Core Ultra Series 2
  • 10
    Qualcomm Snapdragon X
Computing Computer Computer Component CPU Laptop

Comments

  • freefall101 on 06/09/2024 - 10:21
    +2

    I wouldn't trust Intel benchmarks as far as I could throw them. They tend to love unspecified tests and graphs that show they're faster at a specific power consumption level that no one cares about. That said, they're being made on a TSMC fab rather than an Intel one, so the node is at least good.

    • scud70 on 06/09/2024 - 11:00
      +1

      I think some of it will be fairly accurate but likely super cherry picked so no different to AMD i guess lol … independent reviewers will even it out and i'd say it'll match AMD on the efficiency front or more likely be in front, however the performance vs the AI 9 which is 12 cores 24 threads is what i really want to see being an 8 core 8 thread part, on the other hand the iGPU perfomance numbers are defenitely interesting if true. The other thing that i'm really interested to see independent reviews of is the difference between each core ultra part with all of them (top 3 core sku's) having the same core's but just a slight drop in frequency.

    • 01011010 on 06/09/2024 - 12:56

      just like car manufacturers.

  • JimB on 06/09/2024 - 10:58

    Is there anyone who does direct comparisons of laptops of different CPUs with Windows to test the battery life?

    For myself (and I suspect the vast majority of users) the battery life is more important than speed. Any mid-range modern laptop is fast enough these days to surf the web and for office apps (I'm sure the cheap 1366 x 768 laptops are still shit as ever). Very few people would ever do video/photo editing.

    • scud70 on 06/09/2024 - 11:04
      +1

      there are some reviewers on YT who do if they can get the exact same models but in the laptop scene it is super difficult to get all the specs in line.. have the same battery capacity, same screen (makes a huge difference) etc etc … then you have to look at performance while on battery you may have massive gain in battery life but a huge drop in performance. PCWorld Gordon had a decent but super detailed comparison etc which i found very insighful, so check that out on YT.

      • JimB on 06/09/2024 - 11:06
        +1

        Thanks.

        All I want is a laptop that gives me a day's worth of battery life without having me carry a charger around.

        A drop in performance is ok for me when I'm only using web based and office apps.

        • scud70 on 06/09/2024 - 11:19

          I think you'll find that all the 3 different chips listed will be fine for even multiple days of battery life now, with the two x386 CPU's (intel and AMD) being more compatible with the software you may want to use.

          • JimB on 06/09/2024 - 11:27
            +1

            @scud70: days?

            I think it's time for a new laptop for me!

            • scud70 on 06/09/2024 - 13:06

              @JimB: i'd also wait for the new intels (Lunar lake chips) to get some reviews, just in case intel isn't full of BS with their claims.

              • scotty on 06/09/2024 - 13:40
                +1

                @scud70: The Lunar Lake reviews might be coming out soon. There are already some previews of the new ThinkPad X1 Carbon (14" under 1kg with Core Ultra 9) and Yoga Slim 7i (15" with Core Ultra 7) but no 3rd party benchmark yet but most "gut feelings" are pretty good.

                A few month ago we all think that the future of Windows is on ARM. Then Ryzen AI came out with great performance and very useable iGPU. Now we have Lunar Lake releasing soon.

                • scud70 on 06/09/2024 - 14:03

                  @scotty: Looks like Dave2D is the intel mouthpiece for Lunar lake so some previews from him, the messaging is pretty positive… All in all its going to lead to some really good choices for the consumer with both good performance and battery not one or the other like we are used to for x86 users.

  • netjock on 06/09/2024 - 11:10

    Give it six months and let them all be tested by review websites. Then early adopters will be guinea pigs and then buy.

    Currently the Intel desktop CPU degradation issue is like P4 netburst all over again (running too hot and people think there is nothing wrong with it).

    I bought an AM4 Ryzen 5 5600GT desktop upgrade (using IGPU, 32GB DDR4) simply because I don't want to get "taxed" and be a guinea pig too.

  • JimB on 06/09/2024 - 11:56

    I had a read of the Snapdragon X Elite and it's super positive.

    The only concern I have is that it may not be compatible with all devices, eg printers due to driver support.

    • scud70 on 06/09/2024 - 13:09
      +4

      save yourself the headache and get the AMD or the new intel ones if you want everything to be compatible :) … i was rooting for Arm but right now no one knows who is responsible for the app compat side of it.. Qualcomm or MS… i'd steer clear unless all you do is browse the interwebs

  • Iluvfreebies on 06/09/2024 - 12:52

    I don't know, i would like to know too.

  • 01011010 on 06/09/2024 - 12:58
    -1

    early reports show the Snapdragons as a spicy option. Intel are out, sorry boys, you're day is over. AMD if you use something that won't run on ARM.

  • Porker on 06/09/2024 - 16:45
    +2

    Just don't get any from Ebay Chinese sellers.

  • capslock janitor on 07/09/2024 - 00:24
    +1

    ON PRINCIPLE DONT RECKON I'D GO INTEL THE ENEMY OF PROGRESS

    • Loopholio on 07/09/2024 - 11:46

      Thank you Loud Howard.

  • Sinnerator on 07/09/2024 - 08:12

    For the average home user, why do we need an AI cpu?
    Will it make data theft and embedded advertising easier for the corporations or is there a genuine benefit to the consumer?

  • JownehFixIT on 07/09/2024 - 10:25

    Dave2D commands that I be interested in the Zenbook S14 - Intel Core Ultra 9 288V… so Intel Core Ultra Series 2 it is :-)

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnJw54oyfLE

  • iridiumstem on 07/09/2024 - 20:06

    I think for most of the user base, any of the three options would be usable. Snapdragon X might cause bit of a hickup, but I don't think it would matter too much if you use laptop for light document editing, web surfing etc.

    Therefore as an Ozbargainer, I choose, whichever has the best deal and offers bang for the buck. Likely something from deals that gets 100s of votes from other ozbargainers. I might have to refrain from Snapdragon, just because I am not 100% sure how Snapdragon works with some of the web based stuff I need to do for work.

  • valuer on 09/09/2024 - 15:02

    If you have to have a new/specific version of Windows to run on a particular chip and then find only some software works it might pay to be cautious.

  • scotty on 25/09/2024 - 13:12

    Lots of Lunar Lake laptop review videos just came out on YouTube.

    • Good single core performance closing up to Apple's M3
    • Mediocre multiple core performance due to reduce cores and eliminated hyper threading
    • Good battery life, beating out Ryzen AI H 370
    • Good enough iGPU with similar performance to AMD's 890M
    • Integrated memory + BT + WiFi7 so not upgradable

    I am hoping the new Core Ultra series 2 / Lunar Lake brings more success to Intel, so it won't get acquired by Qualcomm.

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