Snapdragon X Elite vs Apple M3 Pro: Which is the better laptop CPU?

Modified Jul 07, 2024 02:33 GMT

The Snapdragon X Elite vs Apple M3 Pro comparison (Image via Qualcomm, Apple)

Snapdragon X Elite processors are gaining a lot of popularity lately. When getting a new laptop, you might wonder if you should go for one with the new X Elite CPU or stick to the tried and tested Apple M3 Pro Macbook. Both processors are quite powerful and surely one of the best in the market.

The choice may be confusing, especially with bold claims and comparisons pitting the chip against Intel and AMD processors. If you're looking to buy one at the moment, this comparison can help you make an informed decision.

Snapdragon X Elite vs Apple M3 Pro: Specifications

The specs of the M3 Pro chipset (Image via Apple)

To get a better idea about this comparison between the Snapdragon X Elite and the Apple M3 Pro processors, we need to look into their specifications. Apple's M3 Pro chip is faster for single-threaded workloads due to its higher clock speeds. Moreover, the 18-core GPU is very much superior to the X Elite chipset and performs much better with modern games as you will see in the sections below.

The X Elite processor uses all performance cores, while the M3 Pro chip has a mix of performance and efficiency cores. This plays a big role in multitasking and computing.

Features	Snapdragon X Elite	Apple M3 Pro
Architecture	Qualcomm Oryon	ARM
Cores	12	12 (6 performance, 6 efficient)
Threads	12	12
Max Clock Speed	4.2 GHz	4.05 GHz
Cache	42 MB	16 MB
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	23W	30W

The Snapdragon X Elite's large 42MB total cache provides more overall storage for frequently accessed data and instructions, meaning it can be quicker than the Macbook in certain tasks. However, the M3 Pro's processing prowess is so good that a low cache of 16MB doesn't do much damage to the overall performance.

Also check out: Intel Core Ultra 9 185H vs Apple M3 Pro

Snapdragon X Elite vs Apple M3 Pro: Performance

The X Elite processor puts up impressive numbers on benchmarks (Image via Qualcomm)

When it comes to performance in the Snapdragon X Elite vs Apple M3 Pro discourse, it is quite a close matchup as we see very close numbers on the benchmarks. They have the same number of cores, but not the same approach. This is because the M3 Pro has a mix of both performance and efficiency cores, which gives it a certain edge over the X Elite processor.

Benchmark	Snapdragon X Elite	Apple M3 Pro
iGPU - FP32 Performance	4600	6390
Geekbench 6 single core	3218	3152
Geekbench 6 multi core	14350	15619

As you can see, the Apple M3 Pro outperforms the Elite X processor when it comes to multi-core tasks and is typically more favorable for daily computing and creative work.

Gaming performance

Counter-Strike 2 is playable on the X Elite processor, but the same can't be said about other games (Image via YouTube/ The Tech Chap)

This might be one of the only times an Apple laptop outperforms a Windows one in terms of gaming. The Snapdragon X Elite is quite average and in some cases below average. I wouldn't recommend getting a laptop with this processor unless you have a powerful GPU as the gaming performance on this device is quite lackluster.

The Apple M3 Pro on the other hand, completely surprised me. It gave 40+ fps on most modern titles, like Cyberpunk 2077, Stray, and Baldur's Gate. To give you an idea, the X Elite processor showed varying numbers like 60 fps on Counter-Strike 2, but not even being able to run Fortnite, Warzone, and F1 24.

The reason many games don't run is not because the processor lacks performance, but rather due to their incompatibility with many tiltes like Intel and AMD chips. So for gaming, I'd recommend getting a Macbook with the M3 Pro chipset. You may not have a gaming machine in your hands, but it certainly works better than a laptop with a Snapdragon chip.

Snapdragon X Elite vs Apple M3 Pro: Which has greater value for money?

Both X Elite and M3 Pro chips have great value for money, but cater to slightly different audiences (Image via Asus, Apple)

This depends on your priorities, and if raw performance isn't the top concern, the Snapdragon X Elite laptops might be more affordable. They're available for almost half the price of Apple M3 Pro Macbooks and start at around $1000 or less.

However, if your focus is performance, gaming, and overall better ease of use, the M3 Pro Macbook would be the one for you, albeit it comes with a premium price tag of $1,999.

Snapdragon X Elite vs Apple M3 Pro: Final Verdict

Overall, the Apple M3 Pro is the better performer and would be the victor in this comparison. The Snapdragon X Elite processor is good for daily tasks and multitasking but has a lot to improve when it comes to gaming performance. So, if you're looking for a laptop with an all-rounder processor, the M3 Pro Macbook would be the way to go.

However, if you are on a tighter budget, it might be wiser to choose a laptop with an X Elite processor. Apart from some compromise in gaming, you should be good enough with other tasks.

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Edited by Sijo Samuel Paul