Apple A9X | Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) | |
CPU comparisonApple A9X or Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) - 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 A9X has 2 cores with 2 threads and clocks with a maximum frequency of 2.26 GHz. Up to 4 GB of memory is supported in 2 memory channels. The Apple A9X was released in Q3/2015. The Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) has 12 cores with 12 threads and clocks with a maximum frequency of 3.50 GHz. The CPU supports up to 96 GB of memory in 4 memory channels. The Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) was released in Q1/2023. |
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Apple A series (22) | Family | Apple M series (25) |
Apple A9/A9X (2) | CPU group | Apple M2 (8) |
9 | Generation | 2 |
A9 | Architecture | M2 |
Mobile | Segment | Mobile |
Apple A8X | Predecessor | Apple M1 Max (32-GPU) |
Apple A10X Fusion | Successor | -- |
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CPU Cores and Base FrequencyThe Apple A9X has 2 CPU cores and can calculate 2 threads in parallel. The clock frequency of the Apple A9X is 2.26 GHz while the Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) has 12 CPU cores and 12 threads can calculate simultaneously. The clock frequency of the Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) is at 0.66 GHz (3.50 GHz). |
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Apple A9X | Characteristic | Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) |
2 | Cores | 12 |
2 | Threads | 12 |
normal | Core architecture | hybrid (big.LITTLE) |
No | Hyperthreading | No |
No | Overclocking ? | No |
2.26 GHz 2x Twister |
A-Core | 0.66 GHz (3.50 GHz) 8x Avalanche |
-- | 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 A9X | Characteristic | Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) |
-- | AI hardware | Apple Neural Engine |
-- | AI specifications | 16 Neural cores @ 15.8 TOPS |
-- | NPU + CPU + iGPU | -- |
Integrated graphics (iGPU)The Apple A9X or Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short. The iGPU uses the system's main memory as graphics memory and sits on the processor's die. |
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Apple A9X | GPU | Apple M2 Max (38 Core) |
0.65 GHz | GPU frequency | 0.45 GHz |
-- | GPU (Turbo) | 1.40 GHz |
6 | GPU Generation | 2 |
16 nm | Technology | 5 nm |
1 | Max. displays | 5 |
48 | Compute units | 608 |
384 | Shader | 4864 |
No | Hardware Raytracing | No |
No | Frame Generation | No |
4 GB | Max. GPU Memory | 96 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 A9X | GPU | Apple M2 Max (38 Core) |
No | Codec h265 / HEVC (8 bit) | Decode / Encode |
No | Codec h265 / HEVC (10 bit) | Decode / Encode |
Decode / Encode | Codec h264 | Decode / Encode |
No | Codec VP9 | Decode / Encode |
Decode | Codec VP8 | Decode |
No | Codec AV1 | No |
Decode | Codec AVC | Decode |
Decode | Codec VC-1 | Decode |
Decode / Encode | Codec JPEG | Decode / Encode |
Memory & PCIeThe Apple A9X can use up to 4 GB of memory in 2 memory channels. The maximum memory bandwidth is 51.2 GB/s. The Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) supports up to 96 GB of memory in 4 memory channels and achieves a memory bandwidth of up to 409.6 GB/s. |
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Apple A9X | Characteristic | Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) |
LPDDR4-3200 | Memory | LPDDR5-6400 |
4 GB | Max. Memory | 96 GB |
2 (Dual Channel) | Memory channels | 4 (Quad Channel) |
51.2 GB/s | Max. Bandwidth | 409.6 GB/s |
No | ECC | No |
3.00 MB | L2 Cache | 36.00 MB |
4.00 MB | L3 Cache | -- |
-- | PCIe version | 4.0 |
-- | PCIe lanes | 32 |
-- | PCIe Bandwidth | 63.0 GB/s |
Thermal ManagementThe thermal design power (TDP for short) of the Apple A9X is 8 W, while the Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) has a TDP of 40 W. The TDP specifies the necessary cooling solution that is required to cool the processor sufficiently. |
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Apple A9X | Characteristic | Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) |
8 W | TDP (PL1 / PBP) | 40 W |
-- | TDP (PL2) | -- |
-- | TDP up | -- |
-- | TDP down | -- |
-- | Tjunction max. | 100 °C |
Technical detailsThe Apple A9X is manufactured in 16 nm and has 7.00 MB cache. The Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) is manufactured in 5 nm and has a 36.00 MB cache. |
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Apple A9X | Characteristic | Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) |
16 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, iPadOS |
Q3/2015 | Release date | Q1/2023 |
-- | Release price | -- |
show more data | show more data | |
Apple A9X
2C 2T @ 2.26 GHz |
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Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C 12T @ 3.50 GHz |
Apple A9X
2C 2T @ 2.26 GHz |
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Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C 12T @ 3.50 GHz |
Apple A9X
2C 2T @ 2.26 GHz |
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Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C 12T @ 3.50 GHz |
Apple A9X
2C 2T @ 2.26 GHz |
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Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C 12T @ 3.50 GHz |
Apple A9X
Apple A9X @ 0.65 GHz |
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Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
Apple M2 Max (38 Core) @ 1.40 GHz |
Apple A9X
2C 2T @ 2.26 GHz |
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Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C 12T @ 3.50 GHz |
Apple A9X
2C 2T @ 2.26 GHz |
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Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C 12T @ 3.50 GHz |
Apple A9X
2C 2T @ 2.26 GHz |
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Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C 12T @ 3.50 GHz |
Apple A9X
2C 2T @ 2.26 GHz |
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Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C 12T @ 3.50 GHz |
Apple A9X
2C 2T @ 2.26 GHz |
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Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C 12T @ 3.50 GHz |
Apple A9X
2C 2T @ 2.26 GHz |
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Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C 12T @ 0.66 GHz |
Apple A9X
2.26 GHz |
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Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
14,855 CB R23 MC @ 40 W |
Apple A9X
2C 2T @ 2.26 GHz |
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Apple M2 Max (38-GPU)
12C 12T @ 0.66 GHz |
Devices using this processor |
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Apple A9X | Apple M2 Max (38-GPU) |
Apple iPad Pro (1. Gen) | Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) |