Apple’s A8X GPU is Even More Powerful Than First Thought

[Maura]

9to5 Mac reports today that a new analysis of Apple’s A8X chip, which powers the iPad Air 2, has revealed that the chip is actually even more powerful that was first thought.

The analysis carried out by AnandTech shows that the chip uses an 8 cluster design, which AnandTech says is “even better than I thought.”

9to5 Mac points to the significance of the fact that this information indicates that Apple is getting involved in custom GPU engineering, albeit on a small scale.

To get down to the technical nitty-gritty, it would appear that Apple has managed to fit two Imagination GX6450 PowerVR chips on the same die. A die shot obtained by AnandTech confirmed this to be true, but the site was not able to provide a picture to collaborate this, instead posting a mockup of the internal action in the A8X chip.

Here’s what AnandTech had to say about Apple’s customising of the chip:

“While Apple licenses PowerVR GPU cores, not unlike their ARM IP license they are free to modify the Imagination designs to fit their needs, resulting in an unusual semi-custom aspect to their designs (and explaining what Apple has been doing with so many GPU engineers over the last couple of years). In this case it appears that Apple has taken the GX6450 design and created a new design from it, culminating in an 8 cluster Series6XT design. Officially this design has no public designation – while it’s based on an Imagination design it is not an official Imagination design, and of course Apple doesn’t reveal codenames – but for the sake of simplicity we are calling it the GXA6850.”

Source: 9to5 Mac

 

[Ser Aphim]

Can't understand how powerful the chip be, can somebody give me a comparison?

 

[s2mikey]

The key will be if the apps and software take advantage of the chips power. If they don't, it's like having a throttle stop on your McLaren.