Nintendo Switch | Apple A9 | |
CPU comparisonIn this CPU comparison, we compare the Nintendo Switch and the Apple A9 and use benchmarks to check which processor is faster.
We compare the Nintendo Switch 8 core processor released in Q1/2017 with the Apple A9 which has 2 CPU cores and was introduced in Q3/2015. |
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NVIDIA Tegra (2) | Family | Apple A series (22) |
NVIDIA Tegra X1 (2) | CPU group | Apple A9/A9X (2) |
2 | Generation | 9 |
Cortex-A57/-A53 | Architecture | A9 |
Mobile | Segment | Mobile |
-- | Predecessor | Apple A8 |
-- | Successor | Apple A10 Fusion |
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CPU Cores and Base FrequencyThe Nintendo Switch is a 8 core processor with a clock frequency of 1.00 GHz (1.75 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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Nintendo Switch | Characteristic | Apple A9 |
8 | Cores | 2 |
8 | Threads | 2 |
hybrid (big.LITTLE) | Core architecture | normal |
No | Hyperthreading | No |
No | Overclocking ? | No |
1.00 GHz (1.75 GHz) 4x Cortex-A57 |
A-Core | 1.85 GHz 2x Twister |
1.00 GHz (1.75 GHz) 4x Cortex-A53 |
B-Core | -- |
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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NVIDIA Tegra X1 (Maxwell) | GPU | Apple A9 |
0.30 GHz | GPU frequency | 0.65 GHz |
0.77 GHz | GPU (Turbo) | -- |
1 | GPU Generation | 6 |
20 nm | Technology | 16 nm |
1 | Max. displays | 1 |
2 | Compute units | 24 |
256 | Shader | 192 |
No | Hardware Raytracing | No |
No | Frame Generation | No |
2 GB | Max. GPU Memory | 4 GB |
12 | 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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NVIDIA Tegra X1 (Maxwell) | GPU | Apple A9 |
Decode | Codec h265 / HEVC (8 bit) | No |
Decode | Codec h265 / HEVC (10 bit) | No |
Decode / Encode | Codec h264 | Decode |
Decode | 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 4 GB of memory in a maximum of 2 memory channels is supported by the Nintendo Switch, 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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Nintendo Switch | Characteristic | Apple A9 |
LPDDR4-3200 | Memory | LPDDR4-3200 |
4 GB | Max. Memory | 2 GB |
2 (Dual Channel) | Memory channels | 1 (Single Channel) |
25.6 GB/s | Max. Bandwidth | 25.6 GB/s |
No | ECC | No |
2.50 MB | L2 Cache | 3.00 MB |
-- | L3 Cache | 4.00 MB |
-- | PCIe version | -- |
-- | PCIe lanes | -- |
-- | PCIe Bandwidth | -- |
Thermal ManagementThe Nintendo Switch has a TDP of 5 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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Nintendo Switch | Characteristic | Apple A9 |
5 W | TDP (PL1 / PBP) | 5 W |
-- | TDP (PL2) | -- |
-- | TDP up | -- |
5 W | TDP down | -- |
-- | Tjunction max. | -- |
Technical detailsThe Nintendo Switch has 2.50 MB cache and is manufactured in 20 nm. The cache of Apple A9 is at 7.00 MB. The processor is manufactured in 16 nm. |
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Nintendo Switch | Characteristic | Apple A9 |
20 nm | Technology | 16 nm |
Chiplet | Chip design | Chiplet |
Armv8-A (64 bit) | Instruction set (ISA) | Armv8-A (64 bit) |
-- | ISA extensions | -- |
-- | Socket | -- |
None | Virtualization | None |
No | AES-NI | No |
Operating systems | iOS | |
Q1/2017 | Release date | Q3/2015 |
-- | Release price | -- |
show more data | show more data | |
Nintendo Switch
8C 8T @ 1.75 GHz |
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Apple A9
2C 2T @ 1.85 GHz |
Nintendo Switch
8C 8T @ 1.00 GHz |
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Apple A9
2C 2T @ 1.85 GHz |
Nintendo Switch
NVIDIA Tegra X1 (Maxwell) @ 0.77 GHz |
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Apple A9
Apple A9 @ 0.65 GHz |
Nintendo Switch
8C 8T @ 1.75 GHz |
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Apple A9
2C 2T @ 1.85 GHz |
Nintendo Switch
8C 8T @ 1.00 GHz |
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Apple A9
2C 2T @ 1.85 GHz |
Nintendo Switch
8C 8T @ 1.00 GHz |
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Apple A9
2C 2T @ 1.85 GHz |
Nintendo Switch
8C 8T @ 1.00 GHz |
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Apple A9
2C 2T @ 1.85 GHz |
Devices using this processor |
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Nintendo Switch | Apple A9 |
Nintendo Switch | Apple iPhone 6s Apple iPhone SE (1. Gen) |