Unveiling the Latest Apple Silicon vs Intel Processor Benchmarks

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. Apple's Transition to Apple Silicon
3. Performance Comparison: A-Series Processors vs. Intel Chips 3.1 A10 Fusion Processor 3.2 A10X Fusion Processor 3.3 A11 Bionic Processor 3.4 A12 Bionic Processor 3.5 A13 Bionic Processor 3.6 A12X and A12Z Bionic Processors
4. Apple's Dev Kit Benchmarks
5. Apple Silicon in macOS
6. Future of Apple Silicon
7. Limitations of Benchmark Scores
8. Conclusion
9. Resources

Apple's Transition to Apple Silicon

In recent years, Apple has made significant strides in developing its own processors, known as Apple Silicon, for its product lineup. This shift started with the transition from Intel processors to Apple's own A-series processors in iPhones and iPads. Now, Apple is set to bring its custom silicon to Mac computers, replacing Intel chips. This transition has sparked excitement among Apple enthusiasts and industry experts alike. In this article, we will explore the performance of Apple's A-series processors compared to Intel chips, analyze the benchmarks of Apple's dev kit, and discuss the future implications of Apple's silicon-based Macs.

Performance Comparison: A-Series Processors vs. Intel Chips

A10 Fusion Processor

The A10 Fusion processor, introduced with the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, was the first quad-core chip by Apple. With a clock speed of 2.3 GHz, it achieved a Geekbench single-core score of 740 and a multi-core score of 1322. Comparable to the early 2016 12-inch MacBook's Core m7 1.3 GHz dual-core processor, which scored 652 in single-core and 1405 in multi-core benchmarks.

A10X Fusion Processor

The A10X Fusion processor, featuring a six-core design, was introduced with the sixth-generation iPad, iPad Pro, and Second-gen iPad Pro. When running on these devices, it achieved a Geekbench single-core score of 831 and a multi-core score of 2265. This performance is similar to the 2017 13-inch MacBook Pro with a mid-range Intel Core i5 processor, which scored 850 in single-core and 1972 in multi-core benchmarks.

A11 Bionic Processor

The A11 Bionic processor, debuting with the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X, was another six-core chip by Apple. It marked the inclusion of the Neural Engine in Apple's chips. The A11 Bionic scored 917 in single-core and 2350 in multi-core benchmarks, comparable to the 2020 MacBook Air with an Intel Core i3 1.1 GHz dual-core processor, which scored 1076 in single-core and 2842 in multi-core benchmarks.

A12 Bionic Processor

The A12 Bionic processor made its appearance with the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR in 2018. With six cores and a clock speed of 2.5 GHz, it achieved a Geekbench single-core score of 1112 and a multi-core score of 2869 when running on the iPad Air with the same chip. This performance is similar to the 2017 21.5-inch iMac with a 3 GHz Intel Core i5 processor, which scored 1005 in single-core and 3208 in multi-core benchmarks.

A13 Bionic Processor

Running on Apple's latest phones, including the iPhone 11 series, the A13 Bionic processor is a 2.66 GHz six-core chip. It achieved a Geekbench single-core score of 1325 and a multi-core score of 3382. Comparable to the 13-inch MacBook Pro with 8th gen Intel Core quad-core i5 8257U chip, which scored 1012 in single-core and 3676 in multi-core benchmarks.

A12X and A12Z Bionic Processors

The A12X and A12Z Bionic processors, both eight-core chips, were released in iPad Pros. Although they are slightly different, with the A12Z having improved graphics capabilities, their benchmark scores are similar. When running on iPad Pros, the A12Z Bionic scored around 1115 in single-core and 4626 in multi-core benchmarks. Comparatively, a mid-range 16-inch MacBook Pro with a 10th gen Intel Core i7 processor scored around 1024 in single-core and 5385 in multi-core benchmarks.

Apple's Dev Kit Benchmarks

Early benchmarks of Apple's dev kit, which featured the A12Z Bionic processor, revealed significant performance gains. Emulation software running on the dev kit achieved a Geekbench single-core score of 845 and a multi-core score of 2960. However, these scores significantly improved when running natively on Apple Silicon in macOS. Native performance reached a Geekbench single-core score of 1005 and a multi-core score of 4555, similar to the benchmarks achieved on iPad Pros. This impressive leap in performance demonstrates the power Apple's silicon brings to the Mac platform.

Apple Silicon in macOS

The transition to Apple Silicon allows Mac computers to leverage the native performance of custom-designed processors, resulting in improved efficiency and power. While the benchmarks show that Intel still holds an advantage in some areas, Apple's rapid development of its chips puts it on a trajectory to surpass Intel in the future. Apple's focus on creating specific processors for Macs instead of repurposing iPad chips indicates a commitment to delivering exceptional performance tailored to Mac users' needs. As Apple refines its silicon-based Macs, we can expect even greater results.

Future of Apple Silicon

Although Apple has announced the initial release of MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models with Apple Silicon, the potential for further adoption across the Mac lineup is evident. The Mac Pro running on Apple Silicon could surpass competitors' processors and solidify Apple's dominance in the professional workstation market. As Apple continues to iterate and refine its silicon-based Macs, we can anticipate impressive performance gains and a more Cohesive ecosystem across Apple devices.

Limitations of Benchmark Scores

While benchmark scores can provide valuable performance insights, they do not always directly Translate to real-life usage scenarios. Actual performance depends on the specific tasks and software being used. However, standardized benchmarks create a useful basis for comparison between processors across platforms. Understanding these scores helps provide a sense of the general performance differences between Apple's A-series processors and Intel chips.

Conclusion

Apple's transition to its custom Apple Silicon marks a significant milestone in the company's hardware development. With its A-series processors already outperforming some Intel chips, the future looks promising for Apple's silicon-based Macs. The benchmarks demonstrate substantial performance gains when running natively on Apple Silicon, highlighting the potential for impressive performance in future Mac models. As Apple continues to innovate and optimize its processors, we anticipate a new era of Mac computers with unparalleled power and efficiency.

Resources

• Geekbench
• Apple Insider Price Guide