Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 Elite Chips Showcase solid-State Cooling with Frore AirJet Technology
MAUI, HI – December 5, 2023 – Qualcomm’s newly unveiled second-generation Snapdragon X2 Elite and Elite Extreme PC processors are being demonstrated with solid-state cooling solutions from Frore systems, marking a potential turning point for the nascent technology. The presentation,revealed at the Snapdragon Technology Summit,showcases Qualcomm’s fastest PC processors yet paired with Frore’s AirJet cooling,foregoing traditional system fans in reference designs.
The integration of AirJet cooling into Qualcomm’s reference designs highlights a growing industry interest in alternatives to conventional fans, especially as processor performance demands increase. The snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme chip boasts 18 cores capable of sustaining 4.4GHz and boosting up to 5GHz,generating significant heat that solid-state cooling aims to dissipate efficiently.While Qualcomm has not yet announced official partners for the X2 Elite and X2 Elite Extreme families, the demonstration signals a potential path for wider adoption of AirJet technology in the PC market.
Frore’s AirJet technology utilizes a solid-state heat transfer method, offering a fanless cooling solution. The Qualcomm reference designs did not specify which AirJet model was used,with options including the Airita mini slim. The company first debuted the technology in late 2022, but has yet to secure major PC design wins.
Qualcomm showcased two reference designs – a “frisbee” design and a thin mini PC intended to slot under a desktop display – both leveraging the AirJet cooling system. it remains unclear whether Qualcomm mandates the use of AirJet in its designs or simply recommends it, and whether PC manufacturers will ultimately adopt the technology in commercial products.
Disclosure: Qualcomm paid for the author’s room, board, and travel expenses, but did not ask for or exert any editorial control over this story.
