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Apple M1 vs Apple A12Z Bionic
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CPU comparison with benchmarks
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| Apple M1 | Apple A12Z Bionic | |
CPU comparisonIn this CPU comparison, we compare the Apple M1 and the Apple A12Z Bionic and use benchmarks to check which processor is faster.
We compare the Apple M1 8 core processor released in Q4/2020 with the Apple A12Z Bionic which has 8 CPU cores and was introduced in Q1/2020. |
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| Apple M series (32) | Family | Apple A series (25) |
| Apple M1 (9) | CPU group | Apple A12/A12X/A12Z (3) |
| 1 | Generation | 12 |
| M1 | Architecture | A12 |
| Notebook | Segment | Smartphone / Tablet |
| -- | Predecessor | Apple A10X Fusion |
| Apple M2 | Successor | -- |
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CPU Cores and Base FrequencyThe Apple M1 is a 8 core processor with a clock frequency of 0.60 GHz (3.20 GHz). The processor can compute 8 threads at the same time. The Apple A12Z Bionic clocks with 2.49 GHz, has 8 CPU cores and can calculate 8 threads in parallel. |
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| Apple M1 | Characteristic | Apple A12Z Bionic |
| 8 | Cores | 8 |
| 8 | Threads | 8 |
| hybrid (big.LITTLE) | Core architecture | hybrid (big.LITTLE) |
| No | Hyperthreading | No |
| No | Overclocking ? | No |
| 0.60 GHz (3.20 GHz) 4x Firestorm |
A-Core | 2.49 GHz 4x Vortex |
| 0.60 GHz (2.06 GHz) 4x Icestorm |
B-Core | 1.59 GHz 4x Tempest |
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 M1 | Characteristic | Apple A12Z Bionic |
| Apple Neural Engine | AI hardware | Apple Neural Engine |
| 16 Neural cores @ 11 TOPS | AI specifications | 8 Neural cores @ 5 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 M1 (8 Core) | GPU | Apple A12Z |
| 0.39 GHz | GPU frequency | 1.13 GHz |
| 1.30 GHz | GPU (Turbo) | -- |
| 1 | GPU Generation | 9 |
| 5 nm | Technology | 7 nm |
| 2 | Max. displays | 1 |
| 128 | Compute units | 32 |
| 1024 | Shader | 512 |
| No | Hardware Raytracing | No |
| No | Frame Generation | No |
| 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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| Apple M1 (8 Core) | GPU | Apple A12Z |
| 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 & PCIeUp to 16 GB of memory in a maximum of 2 memory channels is supported by the Apple M1, while the Apple A12Z Bionic supports a maximum of 6 GB of memory with a maximum memory bandwidth of 68.2 GB/s enabled. |
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| Apple M1 | Characteristic | Apple A12Z Bionic |
| LPDDR4X-4266 | Memory | LPDDR4X-4266 |
| 16 GB | Max. Memory | 6 GB |
| 2 (Dual Channel) | Memory channels | 2 (Dual Channel) |
| 68.2 GB/s | Max. Bandwidth | 68.2 GB/s |
| No | ECC | No |
| 16.00 MB | L2 Cache | 8.00 MB |
| -- | L3 Cache | -- |
| 4.0 | PCIe version | -- |
| -- | PCIe lanes | -- |
| -- | PCIe Bandwidth | -- |
Thermal ManagementThe Apple M1 has a TDP of 18 W. The TDP of the Apple A12Z Bionic is 15 W. System integrators use the TDP of the processor as a guide when dimensioning the cooling solution. |
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| Apple M1 | Characteristic | Apple A12Z Bionic |
| 18 W | TDP (PL1 / PBP) | 15 W |
| -- | TDP (PL2) | -- |
| 20 W | TDP up | -- |
| 10 W | TDP down | -- |
| -- | Tjunction max. | -- |
Technical detailsThe Apple M1 has 16.00 MB cache and is manufactured in 5 nm. The cache of Apple A12Z Bionic is at 8.00 MB. The processor is manufactured in 7 nm. |
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| Apple M1 | Characteristic | Apple A12Z Bionic |
| 5 nm | Technology | 7 nm |
| Monolithic | Chip design | Chiplet |
| Armv8.5-A (64 bit) | Instruction set (ISA) | Armv8-A (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 | |
8C 8T @ 0.60 GHz (3.20 GHz) buy now on Amazon and save!
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz buy now on Amazon and save!
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Rate these processors
Average performance in benchmarks
⌀ Single core performance in 3 CPU benchmarks
⌀ Multi core performance in 3 CPU benchmarks
Cinebench R23 Single-Core
Cinebench R23 is the successor of Cinebench R20 and is also based on the Cinema 4 Suite. Cinema 4 is a worldwide used software to create 3D forms. The single-core test only uses one CPU core, the amount of cores or hyperthreading ability doesn't count.
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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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Cinebench R23 Multi-Core
Cinebench R23 is the successor of Cinebench R20 and is also based on the Cinema 4 Suite. Cinema 4 is a worldwide used software to create 3D forms. The multi-core test involves all CPU cores and taks a big advantage of hyperthreading.
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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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Geekbench 6 Single-Core
Geekbench 6 is a partial load benchmark for modern computers, notebooks and smartphones. In the single-core test, only the fastest CPU core is measured. The test run simulates the performance in practice.
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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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Geekbench 6 Multi-Core
The practical Geekbench 6 multi-core benchmark tests the system's performance under partial load. The processor's maximum power consumption is far from being used up.
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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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Geekbench 5, 64bit Single-Core
Geekbench 5 is a cross plattform benchmark that heavily uses the systems memory. A fast memory will push the result a lot. The single-core test only uses one CPU core, the amount of cores or hyperthreading ability doesn't count.
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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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Geekbench 5, 64bit Multi-Core
Geekbench 5 is a cross plattform benchmark that heavily uses the systems memory. A fast memory will push the result a lot. The multi-core test involves all CPU cores and taks a big advantage of hyperthreading.
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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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iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)
The theoretical computing performance of the internal graphics unit of the processor with simple accuracy (32 bit) in GFLOPS. GFLOPS indicates how many billion floating point operations the iGPU can perform per second.
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Apple M1
Apple M1 (8 Core) @ 1.30 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
Apple A12Z @ 1.13 GHz |
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AI performance (NPU)
The performance values of the processor's AI unit. The isolated NPU performance is given here, the total AI performance (NPU+CPU+iGPU) can be higher.
Processors with the support of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can process many calculations, especially audio, image and video processing, much faster than classic processors. The performance is given in the number (trillions) of arithmetic operations per second (TOPS).
Processors with the support of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can process many calculations, especially audio, image and video processing, much faster than classic processors. The performance is given in the number (trillions) of arithmetic operations per second (TOPS).
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Apple M1
8C 8T @ 0.60 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
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Cinebench 2024 Single-Core
The Cinebench 2024 benchmark is based on the Redshift rendering engine, which is also used in Maxon's 3D program Cinema 4D. The benchmark runs are each 10 minutes long to test whether the processor is limited by its heat generation.
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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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Cinebench 2024 Multi-Core
The Multi-Core test of the Cinebench 2024 benchmark uses all cpu cores to render using the Redshift rendering engine, which is also used in Maxons Cinema 4D. The benchmark run is 10 minutes long to test whether the processor is limited by its heat generation.
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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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AnTuTu 9 Benchmark
The AnTuTu 9 benchmark is very well suited to measuring the performance of a smartphone. AnTuTu 9 is quite heavy on 3D graphics and can now also use the "Metal" graphics interface. In AnTuTu, memory and UX (user experience) are also tested by simulating browser and app usage. AnTuTu version 9 can compare any ARM CPU running on Android or iOS. Devices may not be directly comparable when benchmarked on different operating systems.
In the AnTuTu 9 benchmark, the single-core performance of a processor is only slightly weighted. The rating is made up of the multi-core performance of the processor, the speed of the working memory, and the performance of the internal graphics.
In the AnTuTu 9 benchmark, the single-core performance of a processor is only slightly weighted. The rating is made up of the multi-core performance of the processor, the speed of the working memory, and the performance of the internal graphics.
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Apple M1
8C 8T @ 0.60 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
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AnTuTu 8 Benchmark
The AnTuTu 8 Benchmark measures the performance of a SoC. AnTuTu benchmarks the CPU, GPU, Memory as well as the UX (User Experience) by simulating browser and app usage. AnTuTu can benchmark any ARM CPU that runs under Android or iOS. Devices may not be directly compareable if the benchmark has been performed under different operating systems.
In the AnTuTu 8 benchmark, the single-core performance of a processor is only slightly weighted. The evaluation consists of the multi-core performance of the processor, the speed of the RAM and the performance of the internal graphics.
In the AnTuTu 8 benchmark, the single-core performance of a processor is only slightly weighted. The evaluation consists of the multi-core performance of the processor, the speed of the RAM and the performance of the internal graphics.
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Apple M1
8C 8T @ 0.60 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
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Blender 3.1 Benchmark
In the Blender Benchmark 3.1, the scenes "monster", "junkshop" and "classroom" are rendered and the time required by the system is measured. In our benchmark we test the CPU and not the graphics card. Blender 3.1 was presented as a standalone version in March 2022.
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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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Estimated results for PassMark CPU Mark
Some of the CPUs listed below have been benchmarked by CPU-monkey. However the majority of CPUs have not been tested and the results have been estimated by a CPU-monkey’s secret proprietary formula. As such they do not accurately reflect the actual Passmark CPU mark values and are not endorsed by PassMark Software Pty Ltd.
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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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Blender 2.81 (bmw27)
Blender is a free 3D graphics software for rendering (creating) 3D bodies, which can also be textured and animated in the software. The Blender benchmark creates predefined scenes and measures the time (s) required for the entire scene. The shorter the time required, the better. We selected bmw27 as the benchmark scene.
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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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CPU performance per watt (efficiency)
Efficiency of the processor under full load in the Cinebench R23 (multi-core) benchmark. The benchmark result is divided by the average energy required (CPU package power in watts). The higher the value, the more efficient the CPU is under full load.
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Apple M1
7,759 CB R23 MC @ 18 W |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
2.49 GHz |
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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 |
News and articles for the Apple M1 and the Apple A12Z Bionic
Apple M2 Pro with more CPU cores and production in 3 nm ?
Posted by Stefan on 2022-06-28
After Apple surprisingly presented the normal Apple M2 processor as the first successor to the Apple M1 already in June 2022, the Apple M2 Pro and the Apple M2 Max may follow in autumn. The difference in performance compared to the basic version could be even greater this time and range from 25 to 40 percent.
In this article we describe how Apple could realize this and why the price should also go up.
In this article we describe how Apple could realize this and why the price should also go up.
Apple M2 vs Apple M1 - What are the differences?
Posted by Stefan on 2022-06-09
During WWDC 2022 on June 6th, 2022 Apple surprisingly presented its new Apple M2 processor. This will initially be installed in a completely revised Apple MacBook Air with 13.6 inches, a even thinner form factor and new colors. Apple also updated the already known (old) Apple MacBook Pro 13.3 with touch bar.
Many leakers had counted on Apple not presenting its new second-generation M processor until the fall. But things turned out differently. And there is very likely a reason for that: the improvements in the Apple M2 are limited compared to the predecessor.
Many leakers had counted on Apple not presenting its new second-generation M processor until the fall. But things turned out differently. And there is very likely a reason for that: the improvements in the Apple M2 are limited compared to the predecessor.
Comparison of the two processors
The Apple M1 is Apple's first processor for notebooks. Like the Apple A12Z, it is based on ARM technology and has a total of 8 CPU cores. These are arranged in a hybrid design (big.LITTLE) and are made up of 4 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores. With full system load, the cores can also calculate tasks together.Since the Apple A12Z also has 8 cores (4 + 4) and is only used in the Apple iPad Pro (2019), the M1 processor can be seen as the direct successor to the Apple A12Z. However, Apple allows the M1 to consume more energy over the long term, which is accompanied by a significantly increased clock rate of 3.2 GHz.
The Apple M1 is manufactured in a new 5 nm process, which enables high clock frequencies with very low consumption at the same time. In addition, Apple can passively cool the M1 in the Apple iPad Pro 2021 or in the Apple MacBook (2020), for example.
With the Apple M1 (8 core GPU), which is also manufactured in 5 nm, Apple was able to increase the graphics performance of the SoC to a remarkable 2.6 TFLOPS. The graphics of the Apple A12Z offer less than half of the graphics performance with 1.1 TFLOPS. In addition, Apple's M1 processor can now decode the free video codec AV1 in hardware, which not only makes the playback of new types of videos appear smoother, but also significantly reduces the system load and the load on the processor when playing AV1 videos. This also benefits the (good) battery life of the new devices with an M1 processor.
Apple was able to double the processor's cache in the M1 compared to the Apple A12Z. 16 MB cache is now available. In the main memory, however, nothing has changed: Apple continues to rely on LPDDR4X-4266 memory and thus avoids switching to the new but also more expensive LPDDR5-5200 memory, which is already used in new Samsung devices, for example.
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