The manufacturing process used to create a computer chip is one of
the primary factors when it comes to a chip’s power efficiency. Apple
used a 45nm process for both the iPad 2 and the new iPad, except some of
the newer iPad 2 units. Those use an Apple A5 SoC built by Samsung on a
32nm process.
This isn’t news – it was uncovered a while ago along with the discovery that the new Apple TV uses such chips too. But it’s still interesting to see what the new process means for power efficiency.
AnandTech got their hands on an iPad 2,4 (model number for the new Wi-Fi-only iPad 2s) and ran extensive benchmarks on it. If you’re wondering about the model numbers, 2,1 is the original iPad 2 (Wi-Fi), 2,2 and 2,3 are the GSM and CDMA versions respectively.
Anyway, here’s what the tests show – the iPad 2,4 lasts over an hour and a half of web browsing longer than an iPad 2,1, over two hours more of 3D gaming and about two and a half hours more of watching videos. Performance is exactly the same when you compare iPad 2,1 and 2,4, but the more power-efficient model runs about 1°C cooler.
You can check out AnandTech’s article for details on the new process and more numbers.
In case you’re wondering why Apple didn’t choose the 32nm process for the new iPad (which has a much larger battery and runs quite hot), the answer is that the new process still doesn’t allow chips to be manufactured at the rate Apple needs them (those new iPads are flying off the shelves). Apple TV and some iPad 2s won’t bust the manufacturing capacity though.
Still, looking forward to the announcement of the new iPhone, we can hope that Samsung’s facilities will be up to speed by then and be able to cope with the huge demand for the latest phone from Apple we’re likely to see.
This isn’t news – it was uncovered a while ago along with the discovery that the new Apple TV uses such chips too. But it’s still interesting to see what the new process means for power efficiency.
AnandTech got their hands on an iPad 2,4 (model number for the new Wi-Fi-only iPad 2s) and ran extensive benchmarks on it. If you’re wondering about the model numbers, 2,1 is the original iPad 2 (Wi-Fi), 2,2 and 2,3 are the GSM and CDMA versions respectively.
Anyway, here’s what the tests show – the iPad 2,4 lasts over an hour and a half of web browsing longer than an iPad 2,1, over two hours more of 3D gaming and about two and a half hours more of watching videos. Performance is exactly the same when you compare iPad 2,1 and 2,4, but the more power-efficient model runs about 1°C cooler.
You can check out AnandTech’s article for details on the new process and more numbers.
In case you’re wondering why Apple didn’t choose the 32nm process for the new iPad (which has a much larger battery and runs quite hot), the answer is that the new process still doesn’t allow chips to be manufactured at the rate Apple needs them (those new iPads are flying off the shelves). Apple TV and some iPad 2s won’t bust the manufacturing capacity though.
Still, looking forward to the announcement of the new iPhone, we can hope that Samsung’s facilities will be up to speed by then and be able to cope with the huge demand for the latest phone from Apple we’re likely to see.
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