A Surprising Company May Release A Game-Changing Desktop Chip

This year, Qualcomm made significant strides in the Windows laptop market with its Snapdragon X processors, which are currently powering some of the finest laptops available. However, there are whispers that the company might also be eyeing the desktop market. A recent leak indicates that a Snapdragon X Elite Gen 2 chip is under evaluation, paired with components typically expected in high-performance gaming desktops.

The information comes from Roland Quandt, who shared details on Bluesky regarding a Qualcomm initiative internally dubbed “Project Glymur.”

According to Quandt’s post, “Qualcomm is gearing up to challenge the desktop scene with its Snapdragon ‘X Elite 2’. They are experimenting with ‘Project Glymur’ SC8480XP, which incorporates an AIO liquid cooling system featuring 120mm fans, similar to those used in gaming desktops.”

While it’s wise to take all rumors and leaks with a pinch of caution, Qualcomm has previously expressed its desire to launch desktops powered by Snapdragon X processors. Initially, many expected that these designs would utilize mobile chips aimed at compact PCs or all-in-one systems, designed to compete with devices like the iMac or Mac mini.

If these rumors hold validity, the inclusion of an AIO liquid cooler suggests that Qualcomm is considering some intriguing new capabilities with its second-generation Snapdragon X Elite processors.

The notion of an Arm-based gaming desktop might seem unconventional at first. While mobile systems on a chip (SoCs) focus on power efficiency, gaming desktops typically necessitate maximum processing power to achieve high frame rates. However, Apple’s success with products like the Mac Studio and Mac Pro illustrates the viability of strong performance in non-traditional designs. While these may not serve as gaming desktops, they showcase impressive performance, particularly with each new iteration of Apple Silicon highlighting potential GPU capabilities without reliance on dedicated graphics cards.

That said, Qualcomm still faces challenges in catching up with its integrated graphics capabilities, as it currently trails both Intel and Apple. Recently, Qualcomm also terminated its desktop developer kit project, raising questions about its commitment to the desktop chip market.

Given the excitement surrounding Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X chips this year, it would be surprising if the company didn’t have ambitious plans set for 2025. While skepticism exists regarding the development of a dedicated gaming desktop chip, there’s a strong likelihood that Qualcomm will continue to build on its successes and unveil some unexpected offerings.