Apple M1 | Apple A9 | |
CPU comparisonIn this CPU comparison, we compare the Apple M1 and the Apple A9 and use benchmarks to check which processor is faster.
We compare the Apple M1 8 core processor released in Q4/2020 with the Apple A9 which has 2 CPU cores and was introduced in Q3/2015. |
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Apple M series (23) | Family | Apple A series (22) |
Apple M1 (9) | CPU group | Apple A9/A9X (2) |
1 | Generation | 9 |
M1 | Architecture | A9 |
Mobile | Segment | Mobile |
-- | Predecessor | Apple A8 |
Apple M2 | Successor | Apple A10 Fusion |
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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 A9 clocks with 1.85 GHz, has 2 CPU cores and can calculate 2 threads in parallel. |
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Apple M1 | Characteristic | Apple A9 |
8 | Cores | 2 |
8 | Threads | 2 |
hybrid (big.LITTLE) | Core architecture | normal |
No | Hyperthreading | No |
No | Overclocking ? | No |
0.60 GHz (3.20 GHz) 4x Firestorm |
A-Core | 1.85 GHz 2x Twister |
0.60 GHz (2.06 GHz) 4x Icestorm |
B-Core | -- |
Artificial Intelligence and Machine LearningProcessors 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. Algorithms for ML improve their performance the more data they have collected via software. ML tasks can be processed up to 10,000 times faster than with a classic processor. |
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Apple M1 | Characteristic | Apple A9 |
Apple Neural Engine | AI hardware | -- |
16 Neural cores @ 11 TOPS | AI specifications | -- |
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 M1 (8 Core) | GPU | Apple A9 |
0.39 GHz | GPU frequency | 0.65 GHz |
1.30 GHz | GPU (Turbo) | -- |
1 | GPU Generation | 6 |
5 nm | Technology | 16 nm |
2 | Max. displays | 1 |
128 | Compute units | 24 |
1024 | Shader | 192 |
No | Hardware Raytracing | No |
No | Frame Generation | No |
8 GB | Max. GPU Memory | 4 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 A9 |
Decode / Encode | Codec h265 / HEVC (8 bit) | No |
Decode / Encode | Codec h265 / HEVC (10 bit) | No |
Decode / Encode | Codec h264 | Decode |
Decode / Encode | Codec VP9 | No |
Decode | 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 16 GB of memory in a maximum of 2 memory channels is supported by the Apple M1, while the Apple A9 supports a maximum of 2 GB of memory with a maximum memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s enabled. |
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Apple M1 | Characteristic | Apple A9 |
LPDDR4X-4266 | Memory | LPDDR4-3200 |
16 GB | Max. Memory | 2 GB |
2 (Dual Channel) | Memory channels | 1 (Single Channel) |
68.2 GB/s | Max. Bandwidth | 25.6 GB/s |
No | ECC | No |
16.00 MB | L2 Cache | 3.00 MB |
-- | L3 Cache | 4.00 MB |
4.0 | PCIe version | -- |
-- | PCIe lanes | -- |
-- | PCIe Bandwidth | -- |
Thermal ManagementThe Apple M1 has a TDP of 18 W. The TDP of the Apple A9 is 5 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 A9 |
18 W | TDP (PL1 / PBP) | 5 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 A9 is at 7.00 MB. The processor is manufactured in 16 nm. |
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Apple M1 | Characteristic | Apple A9 |
5 nm | Technology | 16 nm |
Chiplet | 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 | Q3/2015 |
-- | Release price | -- |
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