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Apple M1 | Apple A12Z Bionic | |
CPU comparisonApple M1 or Apple A12Z Bionic - 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 M1 has 8 cores with 8 threads and clocks with a maximum frequency of 3.20 GHz. Up to 16 GB of memory is supported in 2 memory channels. The Apple M1 was released in Q4/2020. The Apple A12Z Bionic has 8 cores with 8 threads and clocks with a maximum frequency of 2.49 GHz. The CPU supports up to 6 GB of memory in 2 memory channels. The Apple A12Z Bionic was released in Q1/2020. |
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Apple M series | Family | Apple A series |
Apple M1 | CPU group | Apple A12/A12X/A12Z |
1 | Generation | 12 |
M1 | Architecture | A12 |
Mobile | Segment | Mobile |
-- | Predecessor | Apple A10X Fusion |
Apple M2 | Successor | -- |
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CPU Cores and Base FrequencyThe Apple M1 has 8 CPU cores and can calculate 8 threads in parallel. The clock frequency of the Apple M1 is 3.20 GHz while the Apple A12Z Bionic has 8 CPU cores and 8 threads can calculate simultaneously. The clock frequency of the Apple A12Z Bionic is at 2.06 GHz. |
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8 | Cores | 8 |
8 | Threads | 8 |
hybrid (big.LITTLE) | Core architecture | hybrid (big.LITTLE) |
No | Hyperthreading | No |
No | Overclocking ? | No |
3.20 GHz 4x Firestorm |
A-Core | 2.49 GHz 4x Vortex |
2.06 GHz 4x Icestorm |
B-Core | 1.59 GHz 4x Tempest |
-- | C-Core | -- |
Internal GraphicsThe Apple M1 or Apple A12Z Bionic 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 M1 (8 Core) | GPU | Apple A12Z |
1.30 GHz | GPU frequency | 1.34 GHz |
GPU (Turbo) | ||
1 | GPU Generation | 9 |
5 nm | Technology | 7 nm |
2 | Max. displays | 2 |
128 | Execution units | 64 |
1024 | Shader | 512 |
8 GB | Max. GPU Memory | 6 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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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 | Codec VP8 | Decode / Encode |
No | Codec AV1 | No |
Decode | Codec AVC | Decode |
Decode | Codec VC-1 | Decode |
Decode / Encode | Codec JPEG | Decode / Encode |
Memory & PCIeThe Apple M1 can use up to 16 GB of memory in 2 memory channels. The maximum memory bandwidth is 68.2 GB/s. The Apple A12Z Bionic supports up to 6 GB of memory in 2 memory channels and achieves a memory bandwidth of up to 68.2 GB/s. |
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LPDDR4X-4266 | Memory | LPDDR4X-4266 |
16 GB | Max. Memory | 6 GB |
2 (Dual Channel) | Memory channels | 2 (Dual Channel) |
68.2 GB/s | Bandwidth | 68.2 GB/s |
No | ECC | No |
16.00 MB | L2 Cache | 8.00 MB |
L3 Cache | ||
4.0 | PCIe version | -- |
PCIe lanes | ||
Thermal ManagementThe thermal design power (TDP for short) of the Apple M1 is 15 W, while the Apple A12Z Bionic has a TDP of 15 W. The TDP specifies the necessary cooling solution that is required to cool the processor sufficiently. |
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15 W | TDP (PL1 / PBP) | 15 W |
-- | TDP (PL2) | -- |
20 W | TDP up | -- |
10 W | TDP down | -- |
-- | Tjunction max. | -- |
Technical detailsThe Apple M1 is manufactured in 5 nm and has 16.00 MB cache. The Apple A12Z Bionic is manufactured in 7 nm and has a 16.00 MB cache. |
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5 nm | Technology | 7 nm |
Chiplet | Chip design | Chiplet |
ARMv8-A64 (64 bit) | Instruction set (ISA) | ARMv8-A64 (64 bit) |
Rosetta 2 x86-Emulation | ISA extensions | |
-- | Socket | -- |
Apple Virtualization Framework | Virtualization | None |
Yes | AES-NI | No |
macOS | Operating systems | iOS |
Q4/2020 | Release date | Q1/2020 |
-- | Release price | -- |
show more data | show more data | |
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Apple M1
8C 8T @ 3.20 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
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Apple M1
8C 8T @ 3.20 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
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Apple M1
8C 8T @ 3.20 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
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Apple M1
8C 8T @ 3.20 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
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Apple M1
8C 8T @ 3.20 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
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Apple M1
8C 8T @ 3.20 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
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Apple M1
Apple M1 (8 Core) @ 1.30 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
Apple A12Z @ 1.34 GHz |
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Apple M1
8C 8T @ 3.20 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
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Apple M1
8C 8T @ 3.20 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
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Apple M1
8C 8T @ 3.20 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
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Apple M1
8C 8T @ 3.20 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
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Apple M1
8C 8T @ 3.20 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
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Apple M1
8C 8T @ 3.20 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
Devices using this processor |
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Apple M1 | Apple A12Z Bionic |
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) |
Apple iPad Pro 2020 |