Apple A5X vs Apple A8X

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Apple A5X or Apple A5X – which processor offers superior performance? In this comparison, we examine disparities and assess which of these two CPUs outperforms the other. We delve into technical specifications and benchmark outcomes.
The Apple A5X features 2 processor cores and has the capability to manage 2 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q1/2011 and belongs to the 5 generation of the Apple A series series.
The Apple A8X features 3 processor cores and has the capability to manage 3 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q3/2014 and belongs to the 8 generation of the Apple A series series.
Mobile Segment Mobile
Apple A5X Name Apple A8X
Apple A series Family Apple A series
5 Generation 8
Apple A5/A5X Group Apple A8/A8X
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Apple A5X has 2 CPU cores and can calculate 2 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Apple A5X is 1.0 GHz
The Apple A8X has 3 CPU cores and can calculate 3 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Apple A8X is 1.5 GHz
normal Core architecture normal
1.0 GHz Frequency 1.5 GHz
2 Threads 3
No Overclocking No
No Hyperthreading No
2 CPU Cores 3
2x Cortex-A9 Cores 3x Typhoon
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Apple A5X has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Apple A5X uses the PowerVR SGX543MP4 (4 Cores), which has 64 texture shaders
and 8 execution units.
The iGPU uses the system's main memory as graphics memory and sits on the processor's die.
The Apple A8X has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Apple A8X uses the Apple A8X, which has 256 texture shaders
and 32 execution units.
0.2 GHz GPU frequency 0.45 GHz
Q1/2012 Release date Q3/2014
10 Direct X --
PowerVR SGX543MP4 (4 Cores) GPU name Apple A8X
45 nm Technology 20 nm
-- Max. displays --
64 Shaders 256
0 bytes Max. GPU Memory 2.0 GB
8 Execution units 32
-- Generation 5
-- GPU (Turbo) --
 
 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

-- AI specifications --
-- AI hardware --
 
 

Hardware codec support

A 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.
No AVC Decode
No VC-1 Decode
No VP9 No
No h265 / HEVC (10 bit) No
No h264 Decode
No VP8 No
No h265 / HEVC (8 bit) No
No JPEG Decode / Encode
No AV1 No
 
 

Memory & PCIe

The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 1.0 GB distributed across 4 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 12.8 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 2.0 GB distributed across 1 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 12.8 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
4 Memory channels 1
1.0 GB Max. Memory 2.0 GB
pci PCIe pci
No AES-NI No
No ECC No
12.8 GB/s Bandwidth 12.8 GB/s
LPDDR2-800 Memory type LPDDR3-1600
 
 

Thermal Management

TDP indicates the cooling solution needed to effectively manage the processor's heat. It generally provides an approximate indication of the actual power consumption of the CPU itself.
The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 8 W watts.
-- Tjunction max --
None TDP (PL1 / PBP) 8 W
 
 

Technical details

The Apple A5X is manufactured using a 32 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The Apple A8X is manufactured using a 20 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 4.0 MB cache.
Q1/2011 Release date Q3/2014
APL 5498 Part Number --
1.0 MB L2-Cache 2.0 MB
None Virtualization None
ISA extensions
Chiplet Chip design Chiplet
A5 Architecture A8
32 nm Technology 20 nm
Socket
iOS Operating systems iOS
-- Release price --
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
ARMv7-A32 (32 bit) Instruction set (ISA) ARMv8-A64 (64 bit)
0 bytes L3-Cache 4.0 MB