Apple A17 Pro | Apple M2 | |
CPU comparisonApple A17 Pro or Apple M2 - which processor is faster? In this comparison we look at the differences and analyze which of these two CPUs is better. We compare the technical data and benchmark results.
The Apple A17 Pro has 6 cores with 6 threads and clocks with a maximum frequency of 3.78 GHz. Up to 8 GB of memory is supported in 1 memory channels. The Apple A17 Pro was released in Q3/2023. The Apple M2 has 8 cores with 8 threads and clocks with a maximum frequency of 3.50 GHz. The CPU supports up to 24 GB of memory in 2 memory channels. The Apple M2 was released in Q2/2022. |
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Apple A series (24) | Family | Apple M series (25) |
Apple A17 Pro (1) | CPU group | Apple M2 (8) |
17 | Generation | 2 |
Ibiza | Architecture | M2 |
Smartphone / Tablet | Segment | Notebook |
Apple A16 Bionic | Predecessor | Apple M1 |
Apple A18 Pro | Successor | Apple M3 |
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CPU Cores and Base FrequencyThe Apple A17 Pro is a 6 core processor with a clock frequency of 0.70 GHz (3.78 GHz). The Apple M2 has 8 CPU cores with a clock frequency of 0.66 GHz (3.50 GHz). |
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Apple A17 Pro | Characteristic | Apple M2 |
6 | Cores | 8 |
6 | Threads | 8 |
hybrid (big.LITTLE) | Core architecture | hybrid (big.LITTLE) |
No | Hyperthreading | No |
No | Overclocking ? | No |
0.70 GHz (3.78 GHz) 2x Ibiza P-Core |
A-Core | 0.66 GHz (3.50 GHz) 4x Avalanche |
0.74 GHz (2.11 GHz) 4x Ibiza E-Core |
B-Core | 0.60 GHz (2.42 GHz) 4x Blizzard |
NPU AI performanceThe performance values of the processor's AI unit. The isolated NPU performance is specified here, the total AI performance (NPU+CPU+iGPU) can be higher. Processors with support for artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can process many calculations, especially audio, image and video processing, much faster than classic processors. |
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Apple A17 Pro | Characteristic | Apple M2 |
Apple Neural Engine | AI hardware | Apple Neural Engine |
16 Neural cores @ 35 TOPS | AI specifications | 16 Neural cores @ 15.8 TOPS |
-- | NPU + CPU + iGPU | -- |
Integrated graphics (iGPU)The integrated graphics unit of a processor is not only responsible for the pure image output on the system, but can also significantly increase the efficiency of the system with the support of modern video codecs. |
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Apple A17 Pro (6 GPU Cores) | GPU | Apple M2 (10 Core) |
0.39 GHz | GPU frequency | 0.45 GHz |
1.40 GHz | GPU (Turbo) | 1.40 GHz |
-- | GPU Generation | 2 |
3 nm | Technology | 5 nm |
1 | Max. displays | 2 |
24 | Compute units | 160 |
768 | Shader | 1280 |
Yes | Hardware Raytracing | No |
No | Frame Generation | No |
6 GB | Max. GPU Memory | 24 GB |
-- | DirectX Version | -- |
Hardware codec supportA photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos. |
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Apple A17 Pro (6 GPU Cores) | GPU | Apple M2 (10 Core) |
Decode / Encode | Codec h265 / HEVC (8 bit) | Decode / Encode |
Decode / Encode | Codec h265 / HEVC (10 bit) | Decode / Encode |
Decode / Encode | Codec h264 | Decode / Encode |
Decode / Encode | Codec VP9 | Decode / Encode |
Decode / Encode | Codec VP8 | Decode |
Decode | Codec AV1 | No |
Decode | Codec AVC | Decode |
Decode | Codec VC-1 | Decode |
Decode / Encode | Codec JPEG | Decode / Encode |
Memory & PCIeThe Apple A17 Pro supports a maximum of 8 GB of memory in 1 memory channels. The Apple M2 can connect up to 24 GB of memory in 2 memory channels. |
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Apple A17 Pro | Characteristic | Apple M2 |
LPDDR5-6400 | Memory | LPDDR5-6400 |
8 GB | Max. Memory | 24 GB |
1 (Single Channel) | Memory channels | 2 (Dual Channel) |
51.2 GB/s | Max. Bandwidth | 102.4 GB/s |
No | ECC | No |
20.00 MB | L2 Cache | 20.00 MB |
24.00 MB | L3 Cache | -- |
-- | PCIe version | 4.0 |
-- | PCIe lanes | -- |
-- | PCIe Bandwidth | -- |
Thermal ManagementThe TDP (Thermal Design Power) of a processor specifies the required cooling solution. The Apple A17 Pro has a TDP of 11 W, that of the Apple M2 is 20 W. |
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Apple A17 Pro | Characteristic | Apple M2 |
11 W | TDP (PL1 / PBP) | 20 W |
-- | TDP (PL2) | -- |
-- | TDP up | 30 W |
-- | TDP down | 10 W |
-- | Tjunction max. | 100 °C |
Technical detailsThe Apple A17 Pro has a 44.00 MB cache, while the Apple M2 cache has a total of 20.00 MB. |
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Apple A17 Pro | Characteristic | Apple M2 |
3 nm | Technology | 5 nm |
Chiplet | Chip design | Chiplet |
Armv8.6-A (64 bit) | Instruction set (ISA) | Armv8.5-A (64 bit) |
-- | ISA extensions | Rosetta 2 x86-Emulation |
-- | Socket | -- |
None | Virtualization | Apple Virtualization Framework |
No | AES-NI | Yes |
iOS | Operating systems | macOS, iPadOS |
Q3/2023 | Release date | Q2/2022 |
-- | Release price | -- |
show more data | show more data | |
Apple A17 Pro
6C 6T @ 3.78 GHz |
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Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
Apple A17 Pro
6C 6T @ 3.78 GHz |
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Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
Apple A17 Pro
6C 6T @ 3.78 GHz |
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Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
Apple A17 Pro
6C 6T @ 3.78 GHz |
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Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
Apple A17 Pro
Apple A17 Pro (6 GPU Cores) @ 1.40 GHz |
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Apple M2
Apple M2 (10 Core) @ 1.40 GHz |
Apple A17 Pro
6C 6T @ 0.70 GHz |
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Apple M2
8C 8T @ 0.66 GHz |
Apple A17 Pro
6C 6T @ 3.78 GHz |
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Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
Apple A17 Pro
6C 6T @ 3.78 GHz |
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Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
Apple A17 Pro
6C 6T @ 3.78 GHz |
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Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
Apple A17 Pro
6C 6T @ 3.78 GHz |
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Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
Apple A17 Pro
6C 6T @ 0.70 GHz |
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Apple M2
8C 8T @ 0.66 GHz |
Apple A17 Pro
6C 6T @ 0.70 GHz |
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Apple M2
8C 8T @ 0.66 GHz |
Apple A17 Pro
6C 6T @ 3.78 GHz |
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Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
Apple A17 Pro
6C 6T @ 3.78 GHz |
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Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
Apple A17 Pro
0.70 GHz |
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Apple M2
8,558 CB R23 MC @ 20 W |
Devices using this processor |
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Apple A17 Pro | Apple M2 |
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max |
Apple MacBook Air 14 (2022) Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) |