During Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Summit, the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme drew attention for an unexpected reason: the processor included 48GB of on-package embedded memory. While this initially caused some confusion, Qualcomm clarified that this configuration is optional and primarily intended for performance testing. Standard Snapdragon X2 Elite chips do not include embedded memory.
Kedar Kondap, Qualcomm’s senior VP of compute and gaming, noted that the 48GB memory in the Elite Extreme was arbitrary. The processor lineup offers multiple memory options: a 12-core version with off-chip memory, an 18-core variant with off-chip memory, and an 18-core Elite Extreme capable of integrating memory on-package. OEMs can choose different memory capacities, with flexibility for system RAM and VRAM allocation.
Although this embedded memory feature isn’t expected to become widely visible to consumers, it highlights Qualcomm’s focus on high-performance, battery-efficient designs for PCs and laptops. The approach allows manufacturers to optimize memory configurations for specific workloads while maintaining performance even when running on battery power.