What do we know about the SQ1 processor and chipset?

[nate0]

Can anyone provide any raw details about the Chip/SoC in question?

For me this was the most intriguing thing announced today by Microsoft and a huge leap for them. It looks to be a custom version of the QC 8cx...at the tail end of this article, but there is much more to it than that.

Looks like the official name is Microsoft SQ1 and Microsoft SQ1 Adreno 685.

I am wondering what their plans are going forward with this endeavor. This may be like some have said, their mark, making ready for ARM powered Windows devices. Even though the DUO was announced with Android, I am hoping something like that would see a custom chipset from them as well running a flavor of Windows.

 

[Razius]

Can anyone provide any raw details about the Chip/SoC in question?

For me this was the most intriguing thing announced today by Microsoft and a huge leap for them. It looks to be a custom version of the QC 8cx...at the tail end of this article, but there is much more to it than that.

Looks like the official name is Microsoft SQ1 and Microsoft SQ1 Adreno 685.

I am wondering what their plans are going forward with this endeavor. This may be like some have said, their mark, making ready for ARM powered Windows devices. Even though the DUO was announced with Android, I am hoping something like that would see a custom chipset from them as well running a flavor of Windows.

From what I can tell about it being custom is they had to increase the clock speed of the 8CX chip to accommodate for the power they need. This also allows for a higher TDP from the chip. Other than that I do not know what else is "custom" per say.

 

[nate0]

From what I can tell about it being custom is they had to increase the clock speed of the 8CX chip to accommodate for the power they need. This also allows for a higher TDP from the chip. Other than that I do not know what else is "custom" per say.

I'm still waiting for some development guts/details to be known. Will need to wait more time I think. Am still hoping one day they build a consumer version of the E2 Edge architecture into a device.

 

[Razius]

I'm still waiting for some development guts/details to be known. Will need to wait more time I think. Am still hoping one day they build a consumer version of the E2 Edge architecture into a device.

Would be awesome. Maybe a little more will be known as we get into Build 2020 next May.

 

[Cruncher04]

From what I can tell about it being custom is they had to increase the clock speed of the 8CX chip to accommodate for the power they need. This also allows for a higher TDP from the chip. Other than that I do not know what else is "custom" per say.

Just from the naming, there seem to be changes to the GPU as its named Adreno 685 compared to Adreno 680 in the 8cx. With 2.1TFlops it also has a higher performance.

 

[bulls96]

Really eager to hear from reviewers on the performance of this.

 

[nate0]

Really eager to hear from reviewers on the performance of this.

A buddy brought in his Surface Pro X matte black fp magnet . He had the 8GB model. Great device in the hands. The SQ1 32bit only support though is murdering it. It is a "only one of its kind" device that is a testing ground though, so one can expect unpolished performance and odd quirks. If this device ever drops in price used though I would not mind owning one just to keep up with what Microsoft is aiming for.

 

[spookyactionGB]

I suppose it depends on what you need out of a device. Most of my requirements are around local office apps and connecting to cloud-based infrastructure. The only challenge I have is with certain VPN clients (enterprise not consumer) and PowerShell issues. I can work around this by running a Windows server VM in Azure at a cost of around £5 per month.