What is the Difference Between Apple A5X and Nvidia Tegra 3 Processors?

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The Apple A5X and Nvidia Tegra 3 processors are both Multiprocessor System-on-Chip (MPSoC) designs used in tablet devices, such as the Apple iPad and various Android tablets, respectively. Here are the key differences between the two processors:

  • Performance: Apple claims that the A5X chip is four times faster than the Tegra 3, but benchmark tests have shown mixed results. In the GLBenchmark Fill test, the A5X processed 1.98 billion textels per second compared to 404.61 million for the Tegra 3. However, in the Geekbench test, which measures processor performance rather than graphics, the Tegra 3 with its quad-core CPU achieved a higher overall score of 1,571 compared to 692 for the A5X.
  • Graphics Performance: In terms of graphics performance, benchmarks have shown that the A5X can process twice as many frames at twice the speed of the Tegra 3.
  • Devices: The A5X processor is used in Apple's iPad, while the Tegra 3 is used in various Android tablets, such as the ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Prime.
  • Optimization: It is worth noting that some games and applications have not been optimized for the A5X chip, so it is possible that developers could squeeze more power from the A5X in future updates.

In conclusion, while both processors are used in tablet devices, the A5X and Tegra 3 have different performance levels and graphics capabilities. The A5X is generally faster in terms of graphics performance, while the Tegra 3 has a higher overall processor performance. However, the actual difference in performance can vary depending on the specific application or game being used.

Comparative Table: Apple A5X vs Nvidia Tegra 3 Processors

Here is a table comparing the Apple A5X and Nvidia Tegra 3 processors:

Feature Apple A5X Nvidia Tegra 3
Type MPSoC (Multiprocessor System-on-Chip) MPSoC (Multiprocessor System-on-Chip)
Release Date March 2012 November 2011
First Device iPad 3 (or iPad HD) ASUS Transformer Prime
ISA (Instruction Set Architecture) ARM v7 (32 bits) ARM v7 (32 bit)
CPU ARM Cortex-A9 (dual core) ARM Cortex-A9 (Quad Core)
CPU's Clock Speed 1.2 GHz (Single Core) - up to 1.4 GHz (Four Cores) - up to 1.3 GHz (Companion Core) up to 1.3 GHz (Four Cores) - up to 1.5 GHz (Quad Core)
GPU PowerVR SGX543MP4 (quad core) NVIDIA GeForce (12 cores)
GPU's Clock Speed Not Available Not Available
CPU/GPU Technology TSMC's 45nm TSMC's 40nm
L1 Cache 32kB instruction, 32kB data 32kB instruction, 32kB data

Both the A5X and Tegra 3 are based on ARM's v7 ISA and use multiprocessor architecture for computing power. The A5X features a dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 CPU, while the Tegra 3 has a quad-core ARM Cortex-A9 CPU. The A5X uses a PowerVR SGX543MP4 GPU, while the Tegra 3 has an NVIDIA GeForce GPU with 12 cores. Apple claims that the A5X is at least 3x times faster than the Tegra 3 and 4x times faster in graphics performance.