Google Tensor vs Qualcomm Snapdragon 855

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Google Tensor or Google Tensor – 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 Google Tensor features 8 processor cores and has the capability to manage 8 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q4/2021 and belongs to the 1 generation of the Google Tensor series.
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 features 8 processor cores and has the capability to manage 8 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q4/2018 and belongs to the 6 generation of the Qualcomm Snapdragon series.
Mobile Segment Mobile
Google Tensor Name Qualcomm Snapdragon 855
Google Tensor Family Qualcomm Snapdragon
1 Generation 6
Google Tensor Group Qualcomm Snapdragon 855/860
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Google Tensor has 8 CPU cores and can calculate 8 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the A-Core is 1.8 GHz.
The number of CPU cores greatly affects the speed of the processor and is an important performance indicator.
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 has 8 CPU cores and can calculate 8 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the A-Core is 2.84 GHz.
4x Cortex-A55 Cores C 4x Kryo 485 Silver
2.8 GHz A-Core Frequency Turbo None
None None 1.8 GHz
None None 2.42 GHz
1.8 GHz A-Core Frequency 2.84 GHz
2x Cortex-A76 Cores B 3x Kryo 485 Gold
2x Cortex-X1 Cores A 1x Kryo 485 Prime
No Overclocking No
hybrid (Prime / big.LITTLE) Core architecture hybrid (Prime / big.LITTLE)
8 Threads 8
No Hyperthreading No
8 CPU Cores 8
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Google Tensor has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Google Tensor uses the ARM Mali-G78 MP20, which has 320 texture shaders
and 20 execution units.
The iGPU uses the system's main memory as graphics memory and sits on the processor's die.
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 uses the Qualcomm Adreno 640, which has 384 texture shaders
and 4 execution units.
0.76 GHz GPU frequency 0.25 GHz
Q4/2021 Release date Q1/2019
12 Direct X 12.0
ARM Mali-G78 MP20 GPU name Qualcomm Adreno 640
5 nm Technology 7 nm
-- Max. displays --
320 Shaders 384
0 bytes Max. GPU Memory 4.0 GB
20 Execution units 4
Vallhall 2 Generation 5
-- GPU (Turbo) 0.59 GHz
 
 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Google Edge TPU @ 1.6 TOPS AI specifications --
Google Tensor AI 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.
Decode / Encode AVC No
Decode / Encode VC-1 No
Decode / Encode VP9 Decode / Encode
Decode / Encode h265 / HEVC (10 bit) Decode / Encode
Decode / Encode h264 Decode / Encode
Decode / Encode VP8 Decode / Encode
Decode / Encode h265 / HEVC (8 bit) Decode / Encode
Decode / Encode JPEG No
Decode AV1 No
 
 

Memory & PCIe

The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 12.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 53.0 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 16.0 GB distributed across 4 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 55.3 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
2 Memory channels 4
12.0 GB Max. Memory 16.0 GB
pci PCIe pci
No AES-NI No
No ECC No
53.0 GB/s Bandwidth 55.3 GB/s
LPDDR5-5500 Memory type LPDDR4X-4266
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 10 W watts.
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.
-- Tjunction max --
10 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) None
 
 

Technical details

The Google Tensor is manufactured using a 5 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 Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 is manufactured using a 7 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 2.0 MB cache.
Q4/2021 Release date Q4/2018
-- Part Number SM8150
8.0 MB L2-Cache 1.8 MB
None Virtualization None
ISA extensions
-- Chip design Chiplet
G1 Architecture Kryo 485
5 nm Technology 7 nm
Socket
Android Operating systems Android
-- Release price --
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
ARMv8-A64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) ARMv8-A64 (64 bit)
0 bytes L3-Cache 2.0 MB