Apple M1 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 | |
CPU comparisonIn this CPU comparison, we compare the Apple M1 and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 and use benchmarks to check which processor is faster.
We compare the Apple M1 8 core processor released in Q4/2020 with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 which has 4 CPU cores and was introduced in Q4/2015. |
||
Apple M series (25) | Family | Qualcomm Snapdragon (102) |
Apple M1 (9) | CPU group | Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 (3) |
1 | Generation | 3 |
M1 | Architecture | Kryo |
Mobile | Segment | Mobile |
-- | Predecessor | -- |
Apple M2 | Successor | -- |
|
||
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 Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 clocks with 2.15 GHz, has 4 CPU cores and can calculate 4 threads in parallel. |
||
Apple M1 | Characteristic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 |
8 | Cores | 4 |
8 | Threads | 4 |
hybrid (big.LITTLE) | Core architecture | hybrid (big.LITTLE) |
No | Hyperthreading | No |
No | Overclocking ? | No |
0.60 GHz (3.20 GHz) 4x Firestorm |
A-Core | 2.15 GHz 2x Kryo |
0.60 GHz (2.06 GHz) 4x Icestorm |
B-Core | 1.60 GHz 2x Kryo |
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. |
||
Apple M1 | Characteristic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 |
Apple Neural Engine | AI hardware | Qualcomm AI engine |
16 Neural cores @ 11 TOPS | AI specifications | Hexagon 680 |
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. |
||
Apple M1 (8 Core) | GPU | Qualcomm Adreno 530 |
0.39 GHz | GPU frequency | 0.62 GHz |
1.30 GHz | GPU (Turbo) | 0.62 GHz |
1 | GPU Generation | 5 |
5 nm | Technology | 14 nm |
2 | Max. displays | 0 |
128 | Compute units | -- |
1024 | Shader | 256 |
No | Hardware Raytracing | No |
No | Frame Generation | No |
8 GB | Max. GPU Memory | -- |
-- | DirectX Version | 11,1 |
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. |
||
Apple M1 (8 Core) | GPU | Qualcomm Adreno 530 |
Decode / Encode | Codec h265 / HEVC (8 bit) | Decode |
Decode / Encode | Codec h265 / HEVC (10 bit) | No |
Decode / Encode | Codec h264 | Decode |
Decode / Encode | Codec VP9 | Decode |
Decode | Codec VP8 | Decode |
No | Codec AV1 | No |
Decode | Codec AVC | No |
Decode | Codec VC-1 | Decode |
Decode / Encode | Codec JPEG | Decode |
Memory & PCIeUp to 16 GB of memory in a maximum of 2 memory channels is supported by the Apple M1, while the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 supports a maximum of 12 GB of memory with a maximum memory bandwidth of 14.9 GB/s enabled. |
||
Apple M1 | Characteristic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 |
LPDDR4X-4266 | Memory | LPDDR4-3733 |
16 GB | Max. Memory | 12 GB |
2 (Dual Channel) | Memory channels | 4 (Quad Channel) |
68.2 GB/s | Max. Bandwidth | 14.9 GB/s |
No | ECC | No |
16.00 MB | L2 Cache | -- |
-- | L3 Cache | -- |
4.0 | PCIe version | -- |
-- | PCIe lanes | -- |
-- | PCIe Bandwidth | -- |
Thermal ManagementThe Apple M1 has a TDP of 18 W. The TDP of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 is --. System integrators use the TDP of the processor as a guide when dimensioning the cooling solution. |
||
Apple M1 | Characteristic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 |
18 W | TDP (PL1 / PBP) | -- |
-- | 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 Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 is at 0.00 MB. The processor is manufactured in 14 nm. |
||
Apple M1 | Characteristic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 |
5 nm | Technology | 14 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 | Android |
Q4/2020 | Release date | Q4/2015 |
-- | Release price | -- |
show more data | show more data | |
Apple M1
8C 8T @ 3.20 GHz |
|||
Qualcomm Snapdragon 820
4C 4T @ 2.15 GHz |
Apple M1
8C 8T @ 3.20 GHz |
|||
Qualcomm Snapdragon 820
4C 4T @ 2.15 GHz |
Apple M1
8C 8T @ 3.20 GHz |
|||
Qualcomm Snapdragon 820
4C 4T @ 2.15 GHz |
Apple M1
8C 8T @ 3.20 GHz |
|||
Qualcomm Snapdragon 820
4C 4T @ 2.15 GHz |
Apple M1
Apple M1 (8 Core) @ 1.30 GHz |
|||
Qualcomm Snapdragon 820
Qualcomm Adreno 530 @ 0.62 GHz |
Apple M1
8C 8T @ 3.20 GHz |
|||
Qualcomm Snapdragon 820
4C 4T @ 2.15 GHz |
Apple M1
8C 8T @ 3.20 GHz |
|||
Qualcomm Snapdragon 820
4C 4T @ 2.15 GHz |
Apple M1
8C 8T @ 3.20 GHz |
|||
Qualcomm Snapdragon 820
4C 4T @ 2.15 GHz |
Apple M1
8C 8T @ 3.20 GHz |
|||
Qualcomm Snapdragon 820
4C 4T @ 2.15 GHz |
Apple M1
8C 8T @ 3.20 GHz |
|||
Qualcomm Snapdragon 820
4C 4T @ 2.15 GHz |
Apple M1
8C 8T @ 3.20 GHz |
|||
Qualcomm Snapdragon 820
4C 4T @ 2.15 GHz |
Apple M1
8C 8T @ 3.20 GHz |
|||
Qualcomm Snapdragon 820
4C 4T @ 2.15 GHz |
Apple M1
7,759 CB R23 MC @ 18 W |
|||
Qualcomm Snapdragon 820
2.15 GHz |
Apple M1
8C 8T @ 0.60 GHz |
|||
Qualcomm Snapdragon 820
4C 4T @ 2.15 GHz |
Devices using this processor |
|
Apple M1 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 |
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) |
Unknown |