Apple A8X | Apple M1 | |
CPU comparisonIn this CPU comparison, we compare the Apple A8X and the Apple M1 and use benchmarks to check which processor is faster.
We compare the Apple A8X 3 core processor released in Q3/2014 with the Apple M1 which has 8 CPU cores and was introduced in Q4/2020. |
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Apple A series (24) | Family | Apple M series (30) |
Apple A8/A8X (2) | CPU group | Apple M1 (9) |
8 | Generation | 1 |
A8 | Architecture | M1 |
Smartphone / Tablet | Segment | Notebook |
Apple A6X | Predecessor | -- |
Apple A9X | Successor | Apple M2 |
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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 Apple M1 clocks with 0.60 GHz (3.20 GHz), has 8 CPU cores and can calculate 8 threads in parallel. |
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Apple A8X | Characteristic | Apple M1 |
3 | Cores | 8 |
3 | Threads | 8 |
normal | Core architecture | hybrid (big.LITTLE) |
No | Hyperthreading | No |
No | Overclocking ? | No |
1.50 GHz 3x Typhoon |
A-Core | 0.60 GHz (3.20 GHz) 4x Firestorm |
-- | B-Core | 0.60 GHz (2.06 GHz) 4x Icestorm |
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 A8X | Characteristic | Apple M1 |
-- | AI hardware | Apple Neural Engine |
-- | AI specifications | 16 Neural cores @ 11 TOPS |
-- | NPU + CPU + iGPU | -- |
Integrated graphics (iGPU)Graphics (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 | Apple M1 (8 Core) |
0.45 GHz | GPU frequency | 0.39 GHz |
-- | GPU (Turbo) | 1.30 GHz |
5 | GPU Generation | 1 |
20 nm | Technology | 5 nm |
1 | Max. displays | 2 |
32 | Compute units | 128 |
256 | Shader | 1024 |
No | Hardware Raytracing | No |
No | Frame Generation | No |
2 GB | Max. GPU Memory | 8 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 A8X | GPU | Apple M1 (8 Core) |
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 |
No | Codec AV1 | No |
Decode | Codec AVC | Decode |
Decode | Codec VC-1 | Decode |
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 Apple M1 supports a maximum of 16 GB of memory with a maximum memory bandwidth of 68.2 GB/s enabled. |
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Apple A8X | Characteristic | Apple M1 |
LPDDR3-1600 | Memory | LPDDR4X-4266 |
2 GB | Max. Memory | 16 GB |
1 (Single Channel) | Memory channels | 2 (Dual Channel) |
12.8 GB/s | Max. Bandwidth | 68.2 GB/s |
No | ECC | No |
2.00 MB | L2 Cache | 16.00 MB |
4.00 MB | L3 Cache | -- |
-- | PCIe version | 4.0 |
-- | PCIe lanes | -- |
-- | PCIe Bandwidth | -- |
Thermal ManagementThe Apple A8X has a TDP of 8 W. The TDP of the Apple M1 is 18 W. System integrators use the TDP of the processor as a guide when dimensioning the cooling solution. |
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Apple A8X | Characteristic | Apple M1 |
8 W | TDP (PL1 / PBP) | 18 W |
-- | TDP (PL2) | -- |
-- | TDP up | 20 W |
-- | TDP down | 10 W |
-- | Tjunction max. | -- |
Technical detailsThe Apple A8X has 6.00 MB cache and is manufactured in 20 nm. The cache of Apple M1 is at 16.00 MB. The processor is manufactured in 5 nm. |
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Apple A8X | Characteristic | Apple M1 |
20 nm | Technology | 5 nm |
Chiplet | Chip design | Chiplet |
Armv8-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 |
Q3/2014 | Release date | Q4/2020 |
-- | Release price | -- |
show more data | show more data | |
Devices using this processor |
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Apple A8X | Apple M1 |
Apple iPad Air 2 | Apple iMac 24 (2021) Apple MacBook Pro 13 (L2020) Apple MacBook Air (2020) Apple Mac mini (2020) Apple iPad Pro 11 (2021) Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) Apple iPad Air (2022) |