Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

The iPad 3's A6 Processor to be Dual-Core?

MacRumors

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
68,530
39,366



TheVerge's Joshua Topolsky summarizes the iPad 3 casing findings reported earlier today, but also adds his own sources regarding some details of the iPad 3.

ipad_2_ipad_3_rear_shell.jpg

Image from RepairLabs​

As expected, the iPad 3 will reportedly include a 2048x1536 Retina Display, be nearly identical physically, and use the A6 processor. The A6 processor, however, is claimed to have a dual-core chip, not a quad-core one, at least according to his sources:
What is surprising, however, is that our sources say that the A6 will not be a quad-core chip, but will remain dual-core. We've previously had heard that the device would have a quad-core CPU as well as an LTE cell radio on-board, but at least part of that story wasn't accurate.
Click to expand...
Previous rumors for the iPad 3 have claimed that the A6 processor would include a Quad-Core processor. iOS 5.1 also showed some early evidence of code-support for quad-core processing.

While a dual-core A6 is certainly possible, Topolsky's iOS device sources haven't had the greatest track record. In early 2011, his sources claimed that the iPad 2 would include a "super high resolution display" as well as an SD card slot, and a "completely redesigned" iPhone 5 to come in summer 2011. Topolsky did backtrack on those predictions, but not until the week before the iPad 2's launch.

Topolsky was also the original source of the the tapered iPhone 5 design and elongated home button. While we do believe that design was based in reality, it's hard to ignore that it never came to be.

Article Link: The iPad 3's A6 Processor to be Dual-Core?
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2012/02/08/the-ipad-3s-a6-processor-to-be-dual-core/
I'd rather see two faster cores than four slower cores.

On a device with a single-app-at-a-time UI, just how many cores can the OS put to work? Even OSX on the desktop has trouble finding work for a lot of cores to do most of the time (outside of very specialist tasks like video compression).

CPU design will always be a compromise, and it may be that the compromises needed to get to four cores aren't borne out by a worthwhile increase in speed. Are that many cores used on Android, or is it mainly a marketing gimmic?
 
Quad cores are pretty likely on the retina versions. Got to bump the CPU power by 4x to match the resolution gain well, and you can't do that all in mhz.
 
firestarter said:
I'd rather see two faster cores than four slower cores.

On a device with a single-app-at-a-time UI, just how many cores can the OS put to work? Even OSX on the desktop has trouble finding work for a lot of cores to do most of the time (outside of very specialist tasks like video compression).

CPU design will always be a compromise, and it may be that the compromises needed to get to four cores aren't borne out by a worthwhile increase in speed. Are that many cores used on Android, or is it mainly a marketing gimmic?
Click to expand...

This definitely. The iPad has enough space to put two fast Dual Core chips. Just wonder if it's actually possible.
 
I want quad-core. As a tech nerd, I care about specs and bullet lists!

As a user, I want performance and results. I won’t care much how it’s achieved. Double the cores does NOT double performance. There are diminishing returns. Number of cores is one tiny slice of the performance equation. The design of each core, and of the OS, are far more important speed factors. They just don’t sound as nice for bragging to the other kids!

Not that I believe any rumors at this point anyway... but if dual-core means lower battery drain or lower cost, or if the extra cores just don’t add that much real-world performance gain, and if the iPad 3 and iOS are able to deliver great performance from two cores, I will be happy. If I can have all that AND enjoy the sound of the phrase “quad core,” that will be nice too! :)
 
Meh... It's still going to be the top of the line ipad even if devs will need some time to figure out what to do with the added power (even at 2 cores, if that's the case). We will still enjoy them.

The same can be told of XBOX/PS3 compared to recent gaming rigs. The thing is that I still enjoy the games on these "old" boxes.
 
goMac said:
Quad cores are pretty likely on the retina versions. Got to bump the CPU power by 4x to match the resolution gain well, and you can't do that all in mhz.
Click to expand...

This is one of the most uninformed posts I have ever read....
 
That may actually be a good thing.

There are only two sensible options for Apple to seriously bump the CPU processing power in the next gen chip: either the quad-core chip based on Cortex A9 or a dual-core chip based on Cortex A15. From what the makers have been promising, the dual-core Cortex A15 would actually be more powerful than the quad-core Cortex A9.
 
goMac said:
Quad cores are pretty likely on the retina versions. Got to bump the CPU power by 4x to match the resolution gain well, and you can't do that all in mhz.
Click to expand...

CPU has a much, much smaller role in driving the display compared to the GPU. PC games have only recently strongly favored quad core CPUs, and iPad tasks are nowhere near that.

Think of the CPU as the architect and the GPU as the builders. It takes a lot less time and effort to design than it does to build.


mentaluproar said:
Please, no hyper threading. Please god, no.
Click to expand...

Hyper threading is a trademarked Intel implementation of simultaneous multi-threading. They are the only ones who do it to the point where you have extra cores appearing to the OS. No one else can use intel's patented, trademarked method.

However, multiple issue CPUs with multiple data paths are a staple of modern CPUs and a good thing.
 
Last edited:
If the A6 uses ARM Cortex A15 architecture, it will be significantly faster than the A5 even with the same clock speed and number of cores.

Also, the retina display doesn't require more cpu power, maybe just more GPU cores and memory.

The most interesting new ARM technology is combining Cortex A7 and A15 cores on the same chip and transparently switching between them. The Cortex A7 is very energy efficient and the Cortex A15 is very powerful, so that would bring both performance and better battery life. I'm just not sure if this architecture can be implemented yet.
 
you gotta remember one of Apple's fundamental rules - it will not include a feature in a new product that will too severely compromise one of its core features in the existing product.

if a quad-core, like 4G connectivity for the iPhone 4S, will too severely impact battery life i can definitely see them going with a beefed up dual-core setup.
 
No need to rush to Quad Core yet especially if LTE will come into play. Makes sense if the A6+LTE will be going into iPhone 6 as well. Higher clocked Dual Cores now then Quads in 2013 using A15.
 
Last edited:
jont-fu said:
If the A6 uses ARM Cortex A15 architecture, it will be significantly faster than the A5 even with the same clock speed and number of cores.

Also, the retina display doesn't require more cpu power, maybe just more GPU cores and memory.

The most interesting new ARM technology is combining Cortex A7 and A15 cores on the same chip and transparently switching between them. The Cortex A7 is very energy efficient and the Cortex A15 is very powerful, so that would bring both performance and better battery life. I'm just not sure if this architecture can be implemented yet.
Click to expand...

A15 yes (but very aggressive). A7, no. 2014 for that.
 
A Dual core? Oh no!

I am seriously worried that the dual cores won't pack enough juice to handle the retina display's higher resolution games.

My retina displayed iPhone 4 can't handle Modern Combat 3 or even Black Ops zombies because Apple just used the same old GPU in the 3GS to power twice as many pixels!*

Not happy.
 
Last edited:
I find it very hard to believe this. Apple's been competing well against the competition, and I'd hate to see them pull out now.

If this turns out to be true, I doubt we'll be seeing a Cortex A15 based processor either. That means a dual-core Cortex A9 processor just like the A5, and it won't be clocked much higher.

That would be very disappointing to say the least, considering a quad-core is required for real next generation games. Glowball for Tegra 3 is a good example of why we need it.
Chazn said:
A Dual core? Oh no!

I am seriously worried that the dual cores won't pack enough juice to handle the retina display's higher resolution games.

My retina displayed iPhone 4 can't handle Modern Combat 3 or even Black Ops zombies because Apple just used the same old GPU in the 3GS to power twice as many pixels!*

Not happy.
Click to expand...
The CPU won't really be tasked by the higher resolution, it's mostly going to be the GPU.

It's actually twice the resolution, which is four times the pixels.
 
Chazn said:
A Dual core? Oh no!

I am seriously worried that the dual cores won't pack enough juice to handle the retina display's higher resolution games.

My retina displayed iPhone 4 can't handle Modern Combat 3 or even Black Ops zombies because Apple just used the same old GPU in the 3GS to power twice as many pixels!*

Not happy.
Click to expand...

You are getting bought into the core myth much like the mhz myth of the past.
As others point out the CPU does not play as large of a role in driving the screen as the gpu does.

Sadly the marketers got people believing more cores is better like higher clock rate and that is not always the case.
 
MythicFrost said:
I find it very hard to believe this. Apple's been competing well against the competition, and I'd hate to see them pull out now.

If this turns out to be true, I doubt we'll be seeing a Cortex A15 based processor either. That means a dual-core Cortex A9 processor just like the A5, and it won't be clocked much higher.

That would be very disappointing to say the least, considering a quad-core is required for real next generation games. Glowball for Tegra 3 is a good example of why we need it.

The CPU won't really be tasked by the higher resolution, it's mostly going to be the GPU.

It's actually twice the resolution, which is four times the pixels.
Click to expand...

Apple has been competing well while ignoring LTE, 4-7" form factor, removable battery, microSD expansion, file system, and more.

They will do what makes sense.

I have expected for months A6 might be a dual A15 setup.
 
Chazn said:
A Dual core? Oh no!

I am seriously worried that the dual cores won't pack enough juice to handle the retina display's higher resolution games.

My retina displayed iPhone 4 can't handle Modern Combat 3 or even Black Ops zombies because Apple just used the same old GPU in the 3GS to power twice as many pixels!*

Not happy.
Click to expand...

I think thats less the A4's fault and more the 535's. I'd wager things are much better when the 543 comes to play.
 
If the A6 is a 2 Ghz dual core processor, that would be better than a 1 Ghz quad core, for what the iPad does.. Yes it would.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back