Microsoft this year unveiled its Copilot+ PCs, a new lineup of AI-powered personal computers boasting enhanced performance and advanced features. Yet, these devices are experiencing notable issues with running many well-known video games, mainly due to their use of Qualcomm chips based on the Arm architecture instead of the more common Intel x86 chips.
Copilot+ PCs are equipped with a neural processing unit (NPU), enabling them to execute artificial intelligence tasks locally. Microsoft's approach is designed to improve performance and reduce dependence on cloud-based services. A notable technology contributing to this advancement is Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite chip.
To be classified as a Copilot PC, a system must deliver a minimum of 40 tera operations per second (TOPs) of NPU performance. This significantly surpasses the 10 TOPs offered by other AI-powered PCs. Mehdi further asserted that these PCs exhibit a 58 percent speed advantage over M3-powered MacBook Airs.
Hardware Shift and Its Implications
Switching from Intel to Qualcomm chips represents a noteworthy change for Windows PCs, bringing benefits like extended battery life and faster processing speeds thanks to Arm designs. However, this move comes with trade-offs, particularly in terms of game compatibility, as many titles were originally developed for Intel's x86 platform.
To mitigate these compatibility problems, a software translation layer is being used to adapt Intel-specific instructions for Arm processors. While this allows some games to function, it can lead to bugs, glitches, or even complete inoperability. According to James McWhirter, an analyst at Omdia, only about half of the roughly 1,300 games tested performed smoothly on the new Arm-based PCs.
The Gaming Community's Response
With gamers comprising roughly 15% of laptop users and generating substantial revenue, these compatibility issues are particularly impactful. Microsoft acknowledges that highly graphics-intensive games may not perform optimally on these new devices. Qualcomm has similarly pointed out that their current chips are not primarily designed as gaming platforms but are working on compatibility improvements.
Anti-cheating software embedded in many games poses another challenge. Even when games are compatible after translation, anti-cheating measures might not work correctly. Qualcomm is partnering with anti-cheating software developers to optimize for better compatibility. Additionally, discussions are ongoing with Epic Games, the publisher of “Fortnite,” to address these issues.
Experts believe that a quick fix is unlikely due to fundamental architectural differences. Intel's forthcoming AI-enhanced chips for PCs might offer better game compatibility, potentially providing a solution for gamers dissatisfied with current Arm options.
