Photo of iPad 3 Logic Board with "A5X" System on a Chip

MacRumors · Feb 19, 2012, 11:33 AM

A forum post at Chinese site WeiPhone offers a photo of what is claimed to be the iPad 3's logic board showing an "A5X" system-on-a-chip.

Apple is expected to introduce an upgraded processor and graphics package for the iPad 3, with the assumption being that it would be called the A6 after the A4 initially appeared in the original iPad and iPhone 4 and was succeeded by the A5 in the iPad 2 and iPhone 4S. But if this photo is to be believed, that assumption appears to have been incorrect, with Apple instead having branded the upgraded package with the A5X name.

Click for larger

A date code of "1146" on the A5X indicates that it was manufactured in the 46th week of 2011, which would have corresponded to November 14-20.

An "A5X" as a step-wise upgrade to the A5 corresponds with progression of processor part numbers as revealed by BGR in February. At the time the A4 was known to be the S5L8930X, the A5 as the S5L8940X and the new iPad processor as S5L8945X.

Several other features are also visible on the logic board, including a pair of 16 GB flash memory chips from Hynix and a rectangular Apple-branded chip. That chip appears to correspond to power management chips found in previous iPad teardowns but which carries a higher part number, suggesting an upgraded part.

Apple is expected to introduce the iPad 3 at a media event on March 7, with the device also receiving an ultra high-resolution display and LTE capabilities. Other claims have suggested that it will carry a slightly more tapered case design and perhaps offer an 8-megapixel rear camera.

Article Link: Photo of iPad 3 Logic Board with "A5X" System on a Chip

besweeeet · Feb 19, 2012, 11:36 AM

Then it's probably just going to be a higher clocked dual-core, probably at 1.5GHz or higher. Maybe the GPU will be quad-core?

Dr Kevorkian94 · Feb 19, 2012, 11:38 AM

Not that i don't enjoy this (because i really enjoy this

) but Why are there so many leaks? i don't think there were this many last year.

Regardless this is very cool

xraydoc · Feb 19, 2012, 11:38 AM

"If its not a quad core A6 then I wont buy it" complaints commence in 3... 2... 1...

pmz · Feb 19, 2012, 11:38 AM

Maybe it's a dual core A15 that has been branded A5X. Makes sense to me.

whoathere · Feb 19, 2012, 11:39 AM

I don't want it now.

miles01110 · Feb 19, 2012, 11:39 AM

iPad 2S.

Macopotamus · Feb 19, 2012, 11:40 AM

Looks legit to me, unless it's a prototype of course. A5X... would that suggest quad core A5 or just an overclocked A5? If it's a prototype, maybe it's just the code name?

I suppose the real question to ask would be if the A5 chip is sufficient to power all these new (rumored) features we keep hearing about. The retina display is going to create a surge of image and video editing apps, and you need quite a bit of power and RAM to manipulate HD video and high res images.

wickerman1893 · Feb 19, 2012, 11:40 AM

Sounds like this thing is gonna have some serious power under the hood. I like!

Cynicalone · Feb 19, 2012, 11:40 AM

Probably just a prototype.

ThatsMeRight · Feb 19, 2012, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miles01110

iPad 2S.

iPad 3.

neiltc13 · Feb 19, 2012, 11:41 AM

Does Apple actually print "A4" or "A5" on existing chips?

DTphonehome · Feb 19, 2012, 11:43 AM

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_0_1 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9A405 Safari/7534.48.3)

Who cares what they call it. I'm certain it'll be a beast, and that's all that matters.

Mjmar · Feb 19, 2012, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neiltc13

Does Apple actually print "A4" or "A5" on existing chips?

yes

PBP · Feb 19, 2012, 11:43 AM

Sooo a faster dualcore then.
*preorders cancelled

Cynicalone · Feb 19, 2012, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neiltc13

Does Apple actually print "A4" or "A5" on existing chips?

Yes.

http://guide-images.ifixit.net/igi/T...bSIUPs1lv.huge

pmau · Feb 19, 2012, 11:44 AM

I think one should consider that the iPad has to "survive" the next holiday shopping season, because I'm sure there will be no additional iPad this year.

So, I'll bet it will be ahead of the competition by a large factor.

On the other hand, just imagine you want to start shipping these in just a few weeks. They need time to produce them, so the first batch for the shops has already been produced weeks ago...

Meaning that the specs, including the contracts with suppliers, are much older ...

jaison13 · Feb 19, 2012, 11:45 AM

i'm geting most things i want. i'd like to see 2 64gb memory chips from hynix.

djrod · Feb 19, 2012, 11:46 AM

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_0_1 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9A405 Safari/7534.48.3)

Time to get all the parts and create a build yourself iPad kit

Jobsian · Feb 19, 2012, 11:46 AM

One part at a time...

OrangeSVTguy · Feb 19, 2012, 11:46 AM

I like these all these "leaks". It usually means something's about to come out

Maybe the A5X is just a prototype chip?

deannnnn · Feb 19, 2012, 11:47 AM

Any redesigned Mac Book Pros hanging around with all these iPad 3 parts?

nfl46 · Feb 19, 2012, 11:47 AM

iPad 2HD coming in March 2012. iPad 3 coming in 2013 with a new design.

PBP · Feb 19, 2012, 11:47 AM

Even if it's a faster dualcore i don't care. It's the RAM,camera's and the display what needed an upgrade

Menopause · Feb 19, 2012, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PBP

Sooo a faster dualcore then.
*preorders cancelled

The concept you happily believe in ("quad core is better than dual core") is weak and flawed.

Feb 19, 2012, 11:33 AM	#1
MacRumors macrumors bot Join Date: Apr 2001	Photo of iPad 3 Logic Board with "A5X" System on a Chip A forum post at Chinese site WeiPhone offers a photo of what is claimed to be the iPad 3's logic board showing an "A5X" system-on-a-chip. Apple is expected to introduce an upgraded processor and graphics package for the iPad 3, with the assumption being that it would be called the A6 after the A4 initially appeared in the original iPad and iPhone 4 and was succeeded by the A5 in the iPad 2 and iPhone 4S. But if this photo is to be believed, that assumption appears to have been incorrect, with Apple instead having branded the upgraded package with the A5X name. Click for larger A date code of "1146" on the A5X indicates that it was manufactured in the 46th week of 2011, which would have corresponded to November 14-20. An "A5X" as a step-wise upgrade to the A5 corresponds with progression of processor part numbers as revealed by BGR in February. At the time the A4 was known to be the S5L8930X, the A5 as the S5L8940X and the new iPad processor as S5L8945X. Several other features are also visible on the logic board, including a pair of 16 GB flash memory chips from Hynix and a rectangular Apple-branded chip. That chip appears to correspond to power management chips found in previous iPad teardowns but which carries a higher part number, suggesting an upgraded part. Apple is expected to introduce the iPad 3 at a media event on March 7, with the device also receiving an ultra high-resolution display and LTE capabilities. Other claims have suggested that it will carry a slightly more tapered case design and perhaps offer an 8-megapixel rear camera. Article Link: Photo of iPad 3 Logic Board with "A5X" System on a Chip
	0

Feb 19, 2012, 11:36 AM	#2
besweeeet Banned Join Date: Sep 2011	Then it's probably just going to be a higher clocked dual-core, probably at 1.5GHz or higher. Maybe the GPU will be quad-core?
	28

Feb 19, 2012, 11:38 AM	#3
Dr Kevorkian94 macrumors 68000 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: # 12 Grimmauld Place	Not that i don't enjoy this (because i really enjoy this ) but Why are there so many leaks? i don't think there were this many last year. Regardless this is very cool __________________ ipod nano X3ipod touch 2 Gen 27 in aluminum ImaciPad 2 3G 16gb, iPad 64gb 32GB iPhone 4 S⃣ 10/5/11 Never Forget
	21

Feb 19, 2012, 11:38 AM	#4
xraydoc macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: The first state	"If its not a quad core A6 then I wont buy it" complaints commence in 3... 2... 1... __________________ 2.93GHz i7 27" iMac • 1.8GHz i7 11" MacBook Air • 2.5GHz i5 Mac mini + 27" Thunderbolt display 2.66GHz quad-core Mac Pro + OS X 10.7 Server + 6TB RAID 5 • AirPort Extreme • iPad 3 & mini • iPhone 5
	33

Feb 19, 2012, 11:39 AM	#6
whoathere macrumors 6502 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Rockford, IL	I don't want it now. __________________ 20" iMac 2.66 C2D 8GB RAM Verizon iPhone4 32GB Macrumors Scavenger Hunt Part 2 score - 3
	-33

Feb 19, 2012, 11:38 AM	#5
pmz macrumors 68000 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: NJ	Maybe it's a dual core A15 that has been branded A5X. Makes sense to me.
	16

Feb 19, 2012, 11:39 AM	#7
miles01110 macrumors 604 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: The Ivory Tower (I'm not coming down)	iPad 2S. __________________ Got a problem? Check here first.
	-41

Feb 19, 2012, 11:40 AM	#8
Macopotamus macrumors regular Join Date: Jun 2010	Looks legit to me, unless it's a prototype of course. A5X... would that suggest quad core A5 or just an overclocked A5? If it's a prototype, maybe it's just the code name? I suppose the real question to ask would be if the A5 chip is sufficient to power all these new (rumored) features we keep hearing about. The retina display is going to create a surge of image and video editing apps, and you need quite a bit of power and RAM to manipulate HD video and high res images. __________________ Sites I read: http://macrumors.com - http://9to5mac.com - http://osxdaily.com
	4

Feb 19, 2012, 11:40 AM	#9
wickerman1893 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Dec 2008	Sounds like this thing is gonna have some serious power under the hood. I like! __________________ Check Out Ic3d Out Apps' New Stuff! Here is our website!
	-2

Feb 19, 2012, 11:40 AM	#10
Cynicalone macrumors 68040 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Okie land	Probably just a prototype.
	12

Feb 19, 2012, 11:41 AM	#12
neiltc13 macrumors 68040 Join Date: May 2006	Does Apple actually print "A4" or "A5" on existing chips?
	-37

Feb 19, 2012, 11:43 AM	#13
DTphonehome macrumors 65816 Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: NYC	Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_0_1 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9A405 Safari/7534.48.3) Who cares what they call it. I'm certain it'll be a beast, and that's all that matters.
	27

Feb 19, 2012, 11:43 AM	#15
PBP macrumors regular Join Date: May 2011	Sooo a faster dualcore then. *preorders cancelled
	-26

Feb 19, 2012, 11:44 AM	#17
pmau macrumors regular Join Date: Nov 2010	Holiday season I think one should consider that the iPad has to "survive" the next holiday shopping season, because I'm sure there will be no additional iPad this year. So, I'll bet it will be ahead of the competition by a large factor. On the other hand, just imagine you want to start shipping these in just a few weeks. They need time to produce them, so the first batch for the shops has already been produced weeks ago... Meaning that the specs, including the contracts with suppliers, are much older ...
	-16

Feb 19, 2012, 11:45 AM	#18
jaison13 macrumors regular Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: pittsburgh	i'm geting most things i want. i'd like to see 2 64gb memory chips from hynix.
	12

Feb 19, 2012, 11:46 AM	#19
djrod macrumors 6502a Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Madrid - Spain	Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_0_1 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9A405 Safari/7534.48.3) Time to get all the parts and create a build yourself iPad kit __________________ 404 : Signature not found
	12

Feb 19, 2012, 11:46 AM	#20
Jobsian macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jul 2009	One part at a time...
	12

Feb 19, 2012, 11:46 AM	#21
OrangeSVTguy macrumors 68040 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Northeastern Ohio	I like these all these "leaks". It usually means something's about to come out Maybe the A5X is just a prototype chip? __________________ *010011110111001001100001011011100110011101100101010100110101011001010100011001110111010101111001*
	2

Feb 19, 2012, 11:47 AM	#22
deannnnn macrumors 68000 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: New York City & South Florida	Any redesigned Mac Book Pros hanging around with all these iPad 3 parts? __________________ MacBook Pro (Retina) / iPhone 5 / iPad 1
	8

Feb 19, 2012, 11:47 AM	#23
nfl46 macrumors 68040 Join Date: Oct 2008	iPad 2HD coming in March 2012. iPad 3 coming in 2013 with a new design. __________________ \| 16GB Apple iPhone 5 \| 13" Macbook Pro \| Apple TV 2 \| 16GB Apple iPad Mini \| 8GB LG Google Nexus 4 \|
	-34

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