Apple M3 (8-GPU) | Apple A9 | |
CPU comparisonApple M3 (8-GPU) or Apple A9 - 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 M3 (8-GPU) has 8 cores with 8 threads and clocks with a maximum frequency of 4.06 GHz. Up to 24 GB of memory is supported in 2 memory channels. The Apple M3 (8-GPU) was released in Q4/2023. The Apple A9 has 2 cores with 2 threads and clocks with a maximum frequency of 1.85 GHz. The CPU supports up to 2 GB of memory in 1 memory channels. The Apple A9 was released in Q3/2015. |
||
Apple M series (25) | Family | Apple A series (22) |
Apple M3 (6) | CPU group | Apple A9/A9X (2) |
3 | Generation | 9 |
M3 | Architecture | A9 |
Mobile | Segment | Mobile |
Apple M2 (8-GPU) | Predecessor | Apple A8 |
-- | Successor | Apple A10 Fusion |
|
||
CPU Cores and Base FrequencyThe Apple M3 (8-GPU) is a 8 core processor with a clock frequency of 0.70 GHz (4.06 GHz). The Apple A9 has 2 CPU cores with a clock frequency of 1.85 GHz. |
||
Apple M3 (8-GPU) | Characteristic | Apple A9 |
8 | Cores | 2 |
8 | Threads | 2 |
hybrid (big.LITTLE) | Core architecture | normal |
No | Hyperthreading | No |
No | Overclocking ? | No |
0.70 GHz (4.06 GHz) 4x P-Core |
A-Core | 1.85 GHz 2x Twister |
0.74 GHz (2.75 GHz) 4x E-Core |
B-Core | -- |
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. |
||
Apple M3 (8-GPU) | Characteristic | Apple A9 |
Apple Neural Engine | AI hardware | -- |
16 Neural cores @ 35 TOPS | AI specifications | -- |
-- | NPU + CPU + iGPU | -- |
Integrated graphics (iGPU)The integrated graphics unit of a processor is not only responsible for the pure image output on the system, but can also significantly increase the efficiency of the system with the support of modern video codecs. |
||
Apple M3 (8 Core) | GPU | Apple A9 |
0.39 GHz | GPU frequency | 0.65 GHz |
1.40 GHz | GPU (Turbo) | -- |
-- | GPU Generation | 6 |
3 nm | Technology | 16 nm |
2 | Max. displays | 1 |
128 | Compute units | 24 |
1024 | Shader | 192 |
Yes | Hardware Raytracing | No |
No | Frame Generation | No |
24 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. |
||
Apple M3 (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 |
Decode | Codec AV1 | No |
Decode | Codec AVC | Decode |
Decode | Codec VC-1 | Decode |
Decode / Encode | Codec JPEG | Decode / Encode |
Memory & PCIeThe Apple M3 (8-GPU) supports a maximum of 24 GB of memory in 2 memory channels. The Apple A9 can connect up to 2 GB of memory in 1 memory channels. |
||
Apple M3 (8-GPU) | Characteristic | Apple A9 |
LPDDR5-6400 | Memory | LPDDR4-3200 |
24 GB | Max. Memory | 2 GB |
2 (Dual Channel) | Memory channels | 1 (Single Channel) |
102.4 GB/s | Max. Bandwidth | 25.6 GB/s |
No | ECC | No |
20.00 MB | L2 Cache | 3.00 MB |
-- | L3 Cache | 4.00 MB |
4.0 | PCIe version | -- |
-- | PCIe lanes | -- |
-- | PCIe Bandwidth | -- |
Thermal ManagementThe TDP (Thermal Design Power) of a processor specifies the required cooling solution. The Apple M3 (8-GPU) has a TDP of 22 W, that of the Apple A9 is 5 W. |
||
Apple M3 (8-GPU) | Characteristic | Apple A9 |
22 W | TDP (PL1 / PBP) | 5 W |
-- | TDP (PL2) | -- |
-- | TDP up | -- |
10 W | TDP down | -- |
100 °C | Tjunction max. | -- |
Technical detailsThe Apple M3 (8-GPU) has a 20.00 MB cache, while the Apple A9 cache has a total of 7.00 MB. |
||
Apple M3 (8-GPU) | Characteristic | Apple A9 |
3 nm | Technology | 16 nm |
Chiplet | Chip design | Chiplet |
Armv8-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, iPadOS | Operating systems | iOS |
Q4/2023 | Release date | Q3/2015 |
-- | Release price | -- |
show more data | show more data | |
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz |
|||
Apple A9
2C 2T @ 1.85 GHz |
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz |
|||
Apple A9
2C 2T @ 1.85 GHz |
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz |
|||
Apple A9
2C 2T @ 1.85 GHz |
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz |
|||
Apple A9
2C 2T @ 1.85 GHz |
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
Apple M3 (8 Core) @ 1.40 GHz |
|||
Apple A9
Apple A9 @ 0.65 GHz |
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz |
|||
Apple A9
2C 2T @ 1.85 GHz |
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz |
|||
Apple A9
2C 2T @ 1.85 GHz |
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz |
|||
Apple A9
2C 2T @ 1.85 GHz |
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz |
|||
Apple A9
2C 2T @ 1.85 GHz |
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C 8T @ 0.70 GHz |
|||
Apple A9
2C 2T @ 1.85 GHz |
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz |
|||
Apple A9
2C 2T @ 1.85 GHz |
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
10,437 CB R23 MC @ 22 W |
|||
Apple A9
1.85 GHz |
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C 8T @ 0.70 GHz |
|||
Apple A9
2C 2T @ 1.85 GHz |
Devices using this processor |
|
Apple M3 (8-GPU) | Apple A9 |
Apple iMac 24 (2023) | Apple iPhone 6s Apple iPhone SE (1. Gen) |