Rating mobile processors, large on-chip analysis systems.

What are mobile processors

The number of companies, poured into the development of mobile platforms is growing. Therefore, now you can find a variety of configurations with different characteristics. Each developer makes its own changes invents layout structures and nuclei, and a variety of mobile processors is very large.

According to the number of cores and CPU frequency

Core - the main computer processor unit. It defines the core performance and clock speed. Manufacturers of mobile systems on a chip can produce their own kernel or borrow them from other developers. Depending on the application embedded system, the number of cores can be from 1 to 8. Although not uncommon, and are already in the system 16 cores.

Frequency, despite the fact that this mobile systems, it is catching up with their older counterparts. And affects the frequency of the processor in the smartphone on the same as in a conventional computer - performance. Frequencies may be up to 3 GHz. However, it is worth remembering that this is a slightly different architecture and instruction set, and perform they will be for a different number of cycles. Also, the frequency value is not usually spread to the entire system-on-chip fully. clusters 4 + 2 or 4 + 2 usually formed: high cluster nuclei 4 or 2 and the same, but power efficient. For heavy tasks and kernel games used with higher frequencies, and for undemanding and background processes - weaker and economical. From this we can determine what processor speed is best for each particular smartphone.

Architecture and Process

The tone in the mobile processor architecture has long been a given company ARM - Advanced RISC Machines. She herself does not produce its processors, and does not sell. It develops the concept and structure of how the components should be placed on the nuclei. Ie forms the architecture, which is then sells under license to other companies, which, in turn, based on them create a system-on-chip. In fact, all evidence to date in selling processors anyway have the ARM architecture or using their set of commands.

As for the term "process" is under it now refers to the resolution of the equipment. In other words, it is an opportunity to place the elements as close as possible between them. The smaller process technology, the greater the number of electronic components can be placed on a chip. This leads to an increase in productivity in the same area. process technology has made great strides over the past few years. If there was in the course of 130 nm technology, the latter acting to date in 2000 - 10 nm. This is a great leap forward. Moreover, 10 nm - this is not a limit. In 2018, several companies have announced the launch of the processors to 7 nm. Their mass production is likely to be implemented in 2019.

according to the video processor

Since the on-chip system - it is almost a miniature computer, it is natural that there is and the graphics processor. It performs the same function as the graphics card in the PC: displays the image. To a large extent the whole GPU performance required of mobile games.

ARM processor cores apart develops and licenses and Mali graphics subsystem. They are often used in their systems at many companies die. For example, Samsung and HiSilicon. Qualcomm usually uses GPU Adreno. Apple uses either its own GPU, a PowerVR.

Top mobile processors by producers

More detail is worth looking at each producer and its most interesting processors.

Qualcomm

"Qualcomm" - an American company, which started its way with the production of communication systems. Later, in 2005, the company licensed from ARM processor core Cortex-A8 and created its own processor to its base. Now Qualcomm is actively engaged in the development of processors based on ARM cores. Especially producer known for his series of systems on chips called Snapdragon.

Latest top-end processor from the company was made by Snapdragon 845 SDM845. It is produced on 10 nm technology. Inside are placed two clusters of 4 cores. The first consists of high Kryo Gold 385 with a frequency up to 2.8 GHz. The second involves economical nucleus with 1.8 GHz. Graphic system is the Adreno 630. It supports the latest trends in the schedule - Open GL ES 3.2, OpenCL 2.0, DirectX 12, as well as Vulcan. In this work SOC Asus ZenFone 5Z, Samsung Galaxy S9 Duos, Xiaomi Black Shark and Sony Xperia XZ2.

Mediatek

The Taiwanese company, which has become particularly popular in 2009-2010, with a yield of MT6516 processor, MT6573 and MT6513. Mediatek is developing several lines of processors:

• MT65xx. Simple 32-bit solutions, focused on smart phones;
• MT67xx. 64-bit system for smartphones;
• Helio P. Budget solutions for smartphones;
• Helio X. A series of powerful processors for smartphones;
• MT8xxx. Processors for tablets.

The most powerful among all Mediatek processors today considered Helio X30. This 10-core system on chip collected by 10nm process technology. The structure of the nuclei: 2 high at 2.5 GHz Cortex-A73, 4 medium with 2.2 GHz Cortex-A 53 and 4 to exactly the same frequency of 1.9 GHz. As the video is not being used the most productive to date PowerVR 7XTP. Of all the new-fangled trends it supports OpenGL ES 3.2.

Apple

Apple is first to produce its processors based on ARM architecture, fine. Then moved on their own development, using as a base the decision on ARM. The latest development of the company - Apple A12. He attends released in September 2018 iPhone XS, XS-Max and XR and tests of mobile processors is the leader. Total number of CPU cores - 6. 2 are used for "heavy" tasks, and can operate at a frequency of 2.49 GHz. The remaining 4 core designed to provide a power efficient everyday tasks. The graphics system also has a 4 nucleus.

Intel mobile processors

Intel It has its own powerful base for the development of processors. However, for some reason, to implement their mobile solutions systems on a chip, they are much later than the other players. Accordingly, a smaller number of devices running on mobile chips Intel. Last, the most popular processor for tablets was released in 2016 - Intel Atom X5-Z8550. Process technology - 14 nm, is supported by 64-bit architecture, 4 nucleus carries at 2.4 GHz. Also on board there is Intel HD Graphics 400 graphics with 12 processing cores and support for DirectX 11.1, OpenGL 4.3, OpenGL ES 3.0, OpenCL 1.2. The only tablet, seen on the chip - Panasonic ToughPad FZ-A2 MK1 Wi-Fi.

But in the segment processors for laptops Intel bypass virtually any. There are solutions for every taste and color. From the simplest to the Internet and Word, to the very top for gaming in recent games category AAA.

Nvidia

The company Nvidia is known worldwide for its graphics cards. But perhaps not everyone knows that it also produces and system-on-chip. The last known development - Tegra X1, released in 2015. It was built on 8 ARM cores, with two clusters of four. The graphics on the board presented its own development on the Maxwell architecture. It supports DirectX 12, OpenGL 4.5, Nvidia CUDA and Vulkan. Devices on the same chip, a little bit. The first was released from the set-top box itself Nvidia Shield Console, then this solution was used in a tablet with a Pixel from Google. The latter device is lit up with this SoC - console Nintendo Switch.

Which processor is better: Mediatek and Qualcomm

As always, to determine which of the two mobile processors better, you can based on the spectrum required to meet the challenges. Qualcomm in recent years has positioned his creation as a top-end solutions for mobile systems. Measurements of synthetic tests show that the processor and the graphics subsystem latest Snapdragon produces excellent results. This is true for those devices on which a user is actively using the full power of the system: playing demanding games, watching videos in high quality, as well as resource-intensive uses application.

But what happens when you want to just average performance for elementary and secondary objectives? Powerful processors even though they have to set energy-efficient core will still be very unreasonable purchase for someone who simply does not realize the full power of the system-on-chip. And here Mediatek opens its arms. His chip set is very wide and is aimed not only at the top-end and middle segment, but on a very modest budget and devices. Naturally, the energy-efficient solutions are much cheaper than the performance of the assembly. Performance comparison of mobile processors shows that in fact a big difference in the budget system version does not. Therefore, if you regularly need performance and synchronicity between the CPU and graphics core, it is better to choose Qualcomm. And if you want a simple solution to everyday tasks, that is a huge selection of more cost-effective solutions from Mediatek. This simple conclusion can be used, it is at a crossroads, some of the processors to choose: Qualcomm and Mediatek.

Rating mobile processors for laptops

In the ranking of the best mobile processors for laptops, we decided to take into account not only the best performance, but also the price.

Intel Core i7-8750H

The most expensive solution and at the same time the most productive. The average cost of the processor is 25 000 rubles. It was first presented to the consumer in the second quarter 2018 process technology - 14 nm. There are 6 cores, each accounting for two streams. The base frequency is 2.2 GHz, and with Turbo Boost - 4,1 GHz. Internal graphics core represented Intel UHD Graphics 630, capable of displaying video at 30 frames / s at a resolution of 4096 × 2304. The ideal solution for gamers, however, very expensive.

Intel Core i5-8250U

U prefix designation tells us that this processor is designed for day to day tasks. While playing on it at a good laptop can also be assembled., A processor at the end of 2017. Process technology - 14 nm, in fact, like many in the 8th generation. The recommended cost - 18 000 rubles. Nuclei represented in 4 to 8 threads. The base frequency is 1.6 GHz, and with Turbo Boost - 3,4 GHz. The graphics here - Intel UHD Graphics 620 with 4K support. Perfect solution for the average level of use of systems - rare games, working with documents, development and the like.

AMD Ryzen 5 2500U

It is impossible to ignore the products from AMD. This processor i5-8250U approximately equal in performance. The difference between them does not exceed 5% in synthetic tests. Cores in the processor 4, they operate in the 8 streams. The maximum operating frequency of 3.6 GHz. Implemented 3-level cache: 1 - 384 KB, 2 - 2 MB and 3 - 4 MB. Within the system also works graphics Radeon Vega 8 8 GPU cores. A good option for a budget build without significant loss in performance.

Compare laptop processors

We chose the 3 interesting processor, which will compare the different tasks. Here involves not only the top model, but also a simple and cost for business and the Internet.

First it is necessary to walk on the main performance. You can then look at the results of synthetic benchmarks.

As you can see, the leaders remain representative i7. Next him, almost neck and neck, i5, and Ryzen 5. In the end - a budgetary decision. But this comparison does not give us the full picture. Therefore, we compare more and integrated graphics.

Suddenly graphics fifth Ryzen came out considerably ahead. That is - at its own CPU performance graphics subsystem provides a good overall performance from the box and without the addition of discrete cards.

Well, now it is necessary to see the lowest prices on laptops, where the processors are installed.

I7-8750H processor can be found in the laptop Asus ROG GL503GE for 92,000 rubles. However, with all features available it also has on-board discrete graphics GeForce GTX 1050 Ti.

i5-8250U processor built into the laptop for 36 000 rubles - Lenovo IdeaPad 330-15IKBR. Here we get a more complete picture of the price, since there is no discrete graphics.

The most inexpensive option with i3-8130U set Acer Aspire 3 25 500 rubles. The graphics are the only one built. And any frills laptop in there, so the system more clear comparison.

Ryzen 5 found in laptop model from HP - 15-db0344ur. The graphics core is one. But installed 8 GB of RAM, and preinstalled with Windows 10. Laptop worth 35,000 rubles.

Ryzen 3 can be found in Acer Aspire modification A315-41G 3-R4FD. Is this laptop is 26 500 rubles.

The cheapest option with E2 9000 is in the model HP 15-rb017ur. Buy a laptop can be for 17 thousand rubles.

Thus it turns out that the best option, which is suitable for most users - with Ryzen 5. It does not require the presence of a discrete graphics card with productive and solve most problems as a normal business, and problems with more or less modern games.

Other variants can be considered extreme. with Intel i7 solution suitable for gamers, but with AMD E2 - for easy operation on the computer and the Internet.

Most processors for smartphones and tablets

Among the more mobile systems - smartphones and tablets - also has its leaders and outsiders. We have selected the most productive solution for comparison and analysis.

Apple A11 Bionic

Leading position in synthetic tests assembles from Apple. The system on a chip is present in all versions 8 and iPhone iPhoneX. Structure construction represents two nuclei cluster 2 + 4. Two high-performance and energy-efficient 4. Maximum available frequency - 2390 MHz. Integrated graphics core is also self-developed - Apple A11 GPU. Decoding capabilities constitute 2160p at 60 frames / sec.

Apple A10X Fusion

Another product from Apple, only focused on the iPad Pro. In fact, in the ranking of processors for tablets he takes a leadership position. There core divided into 3 + 3 format: 3 maximum performance and maximum power saving 3. Frequency is 2380 MHz. Graphics has 12 cores and much better than its successor - A11 - on the test results.

Qualcomm Snapdragon 845

As we already wrote about this processor, it is a modified core ARM Cortex-A57 and Cortex-A55 in 4 + 4. Maximum frequency - 2800 MHz. Graphics core - Adreno 630.

Samsung Exynos 9810 Octa 9

SOC is divided into two clusters of 4 cores. In one core are from Samsung Mongoose 3 series with a set of instructions from ARMv8, in another - realization ARM Cortex-A55. The frequency is 2900 MHz. "Samsung" in this system uses graphics Mali-G72. It has 18 cores, support OpenGL 3.2 and offers 2160p video decoding at 120 frames / sec.

Compare smartphone and tablet processors

Consider performance mobile processors can more fully in direct test devices. We'll take a ready comparison of the statistics processor phones and tablets from the test service Geekbench.

As the table shows, in the top processors for smartphones under load on a single core - Exynos from Samsung. But the situation changes slightly when the test is carried out on multi-core. In this table, the performance of smartphones Snapdragon processor is the first line.

Apple processors are gaining in the test about 4200 to 3900 for the A11 and A10X with a single-core test.

Although all processors or built in the image on ARM-cores, or have their instructions to determine which processor is best for your phone - from Android or iOS - is objectively impossible. The quality of the operating system code optimization and the structure does not allow to accurately set the points of contact, which could be to compare the two types of tests.

Summary table rankings of mobile processors 2018 performance

We divided into two parts of the comparison. The first is a table with a rating of mobile processors for smartphones in 2018, and the second - for laptops.

You can share your impressions of the work of a processor in the comments.