iPad Air 2's A8X Chip Includes Semi-Custom Series6XT Graphics With Eight Cores

new details have come light regarding ipad air 2's graphics processing power since launch last month, new report anandtech revealing new tablet's graphics more powerful thought.

benchmarks , teardowns on tablet revealed details on inner workings of ipad air 2 in days following launch, new image of a8x die provided anandtech reveals layout of apple-designed chip. die photo shows a8x includes eight-core graphics, larger 6-core gx6650 graphics imagination technologies assumed in chip.

quote

to right down business then, die shot confirms had begun suspecting: a8x has 8 cluster series6xt configuration. 8 gpu clusters visible, , perhaps unsurprisingly looks lot gpu layout of gx6450. put in words, imagine a8's gx6450 gx6450 placed right above it, , a8x's 8 cluster gpu.

click expand...

anandtech unable share source's actual image of die, chipworks has provided macrumors similar image showing 8 graphics cores taking substantial portion of a8x's die. photo shows new triple-core cpu , number of other features included on chip.

​

a8x die photo chipworks​

uncertainty on a8x graphics stems imagination's public list of series6xt graphics offerings, tops out 6-core gx6650, new die photo reveals apple has employed semi-custom design pairing 2 quad-core packages on chip yield eight-core graphics.

licensing agreements imagination, apple free modify gpu designs developed graphics company, , apple's position key investor in imagination gives advance access imagination's pipeline, allowing such custom designs launched 9 months after series6xt announced.

other gathered information includes details a8x's size , design. die shot places a8x @ 128mm2, bit larger 123 mm2 a6x used last time apple developed custom "x" chip ipad. compared other models on market, a8x bit larger nvidia's 118mm2 gk107 gpu smaller intel's 130mm2 2c+gt2 haswell cpu. design-wise, a8x otherwise appears have not drastically changed a8, besides slight tweaks make eight-cluster design functional , addition of third cpu core.

yesterday, imagination announced next-generation series7xt designs, , given timing of year's announcements , releases, new graphics make way apple's a9-series chips inclusion in 2015 ios devices.

article link: ipad air 2's a8x chip includes semi-custom series6xt graphics 8 cores

 

can't innovate ass (or tech specs not count when apple them?)

 

Forums News and Article Discussion MacRumors.com News Discussion

• iPhone
• Mac OS & System Software
• iPad
• Apple Watch
• Notebooks
• iTunes
• Apple ID
• iCloud
• Desktop Computers
• Apple Music
• Professional Applications
• iPod
• iWork
• Apple TV
• iLife
• Wireless