Apple A8X | HiSilicon Kirin 980 | |
CPU comparisonIn this CPU comparison, we compare the Apple A8X and the HiSilicon Kirin 980 and use benchmarks to check which processor is faster.
We compare the Apple A8X 3 core processor released in Q3/2014 with the HiSilicon Kirin 980 which has 8 CPU cores and was introduced in Q4/2018. |
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Apple A series (22) | Family | HiSilicon Kirin (29) |
Apple A8/A8X (2) | CPU group | HiSilicon Kirin 980 (2) |
8 | Generation | 7 |
A8 | Architecture | Cortex-A76 / Cortex-A55 |
Mobile | Segment | Mobile |
Apple A6X | Predecessor | -- |
Apple A9X | Successor | -- |
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CPU Cores and Base FrequencyThe Apple A8X is a 3 core processor with a clock frequency of 1.50 GHz. The processor can compute 3 threads at the same time. The HiSilicon Kirin 980 clocks with 2.60 GHz, has 8 CPU cores and can calculate 8 threads in parallel. |
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Apple A8X | Characteristic | HiSilicon Kirin 980 |
3 | Cores | 8 |
3 | Threads | 8 |
normal | Core architecture | hybrid (Prime / big.LITTLE) |
No | Hyperthreading | No |
No | Overclocking ? | No |
1.50 GHz 3x Typhoon |
A-Core | 2.60 GHz 2x Cortex-A76 |
-- | B-Core | 1.92 GHz 2x Cortex-A76 |
-- | C-Core | 1.80 GHz 4x Cortex-A55 |
Internal GraphicsGraphics (iGPU) integrated into the processor not only enable image output without having to rely on a dedicated graphics solution, but can also efficiently accelerate video playback. |
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Apple A8X | GPU | ARM Mali-G76 MP10 |
0.45 GHz | GPU frequency | 0.72 GHz |
-- | GPU (Turbo) | -- |
5 | GPU Generation | Bifrost 3 |
20 nm | Technology | 7 nm |
1 | Max. displays | 2 |
32 | Compute units | 10 |
256 | Shader | 160 |
No | Hardware Raytracing | No |
No | Frame Generation | No |
2 GB | Max. GPU Memory | 4 GB |
-- | DirectX Version | 12 |
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 A8X | GPU | ARM Mali-G76 MP10 |
No | Codec h265 / HEVC (8 bit) | Decode / Encode |
No | Codec h265 / HEVC (10 bit) | Decode / Encode |
Decode | Codec h264 | Decode / Encode |
No | Codec VP9 | Decode / Encode |
No | Codec VP8 | Decode / Encode |
No | Codec AV1 | No |
Decode | Codec AVC | Decode / Encode |
Decode | Codec VC-1 | Decode / Encode |
Decode / Encode | Codec JPEG | Decode / Encode |
Memory & PCIeUp to 2 GB of memory in a maximum of 1 memory channels is supported by the Apple A8X, while the HiSilicon Kirin 980 supports a maximum of 8 GB of memory with a maximum memory bandwidth of -- enabled. |
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Apple A8X | Characteristic | HiSilicon Kirin 980 |
LPDDR3-1600 | Memory | LPDDR4X-2133 |
2 GB | Max. Memory | 8 GB |
1 (Single Channel) | Memory channels | 4 (Quad Channel) |
12.8 GB/s | Max. Bandwidth | -- |
No | ECC | No |
2.00 MB | L2 Cache | -- |
4.00 MB | L3 Cache | 2.00 MB |
-- | PCIe version | -- |
-- | PCIe lanes | -- |
-- | PCIe Bandwidth | -- |
Thermal ManagementThe Apple A8X has a TDP of 8 W. The TDP of the HiSilicon Kirin 980 is 6 W. System integrators use the TDP of the processor as a guide when dimensioning the cooling solution. |
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Apple A8X | Characteristic | HiSilicon Kirin 980 |
8 W | TDP (PL1 / PBP) | 6 W |
-- | TDP (PL2) | -- |
-- | TDP up | -- |
-- | TDP down | -- |
-- | Tjunction max. | -- |
Technical detailsThe Apple A8X has 6.00 MB cache and is manufactured in 20 nm. The cache of HiSilicon Kirin 980 is at 2.00 MB. The processor is manufactured in 7 nm. |
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Apple A8X | Characteristic | HiSilicon Kirin 980 |
20 nm | Technology | 7 nm |
Chiplet | Chip design | Chiplet |
Armv8-A (64 bit) | Instruction set (ISA) | Armv8-A (64 bit) |
-- | ISA extensions | -- |
-- | Socket | -- |
None | Virtualization | None |
No | AES-NI | No |
iOS | Operating systems | Android |
Q3/2014 | Release date | Q4/2018 |
-- | Release price | -- |
show more data | show more data | |
Apple A8X
3C 3T @ 1.50 GHz |
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HiSilicon Kirin 980
8C 8T @ 2.60 GHz |
Apple A8X
3C 3T @ 1.50 GHz |
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HiSilicon Kirin 980
8C 8T @ 2.60 GHz |
Apple A8X
3C 3T @ 1.50 GHz |
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HiSilicon Kirin 980
8C 8T @ 2.60 GHz |
Apple A8X
3C 3T @ 1.50 GHz |
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HiSilicon Kirin 980
8C 8T @ 2.60 GHz |
Apple A8X
Apple A8X @ 0.45 GHz |
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HiSilicon Kirin 980
ARM Mali-G76 MP10 @ 0.72 GHz |
Apple A8X
3C 3T @ 1.50 GHz |
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HiSilicon Kirin 980
8C 8T @ 2.60 GHz |
Apple A8X
3C 3T @ 1.50 GHz |
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HiSilicon Kirin 980
8C 8T @ 2.60 GHz |
Devices using this processor |
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Apple A8X | HiSilicon Kirin 980 |
Apple iPad Air 2 | Huawei P30 Huawei P30 Pro Huawei Honor 20 Huawei Honor 20 Pro Huawei Mate 20 Huawei Mate 20 Pro Huawei Nova 5T |