Apple A9 vs Intel Core M-5Y31

Comparative analysis of Apple A9 and Intel Core M-5Y31 processors for all known characteristics in the following categories: Essentials, Performance, Memory, Graphics, Graphics interfaces, Graphics image quality, Graphics API support, Compatibility, Peripherals, Security & Reliability, Advanced Technologies, Virtualization. Benchmark processor performance analysis: PassMark - Single thread mark, PassMark - CPU mark, GFXBench 4.0 - Manhattan (Frames), GFXBench 4.0 - Manhattan (Fps), GFXBench 4.0 - T-Rex (Frames), GFXBench 4.0 - T-Rex (Fps), GFXBench 4.0 - Car Chase Offscreen (Frames), GFXBench 4.0 - Car Chase Offscreen (Fps).

Apple A9

Intel Core M-5Y31

Differences

Reasons to consider the Apple A9

CPU is newer: launch date 9 month(s) later
6x more L2 cache, more data can be stored in the L2 cache for quick access later
Around 9% better performance in PassMark - CPU mark: 2067 vs 1899

Specifications (specs)
Launch date	9 Sep 2015 vs 1 December 2014
L2 cache	3 MB (shared) vs 512 KB
Benchmarks
PassMark - CPU mark	2067 vs 1899

Reasons to consider the Intel Core M-5Y31

2 more threads: 4 vs 2
Around 30% higher clock speed: 2.40 GHz vs 1.85 GHz
A newer manufacturing process allows for a more powerful, yet cooler running processor: 14 nm vs 16 nm
1024x more L1 cache, more data can be stored in the L1 cache for quick access later
8x more maximum memory size: 16 GB vs 2 GB
Around 5% better performance in PassMark - Single thread mark: 1241 vs 1187

Specifications (specs)
Number of threads	4 vs 2
Maximum frequency	2.40 GHz vs 1.85 GHz
Manufacturing process technology	14 nm vs 16 nm
L1 cache	128 KB vs 64 KB instruction + 64 KB data (per core)
Maximum memory size	16 GB vs 2 GB
Benchmarks
PassMark - Single thread mark	1241 vs 1187

Compare benchmarks

CPU 1: Apple A9
CPU 2: Intel Core M-5Y31

PassMark - Single thread mark

CPU 1

CPU 2

1187

1241

PassMark - CPU mark

CPU 1

CPU 2

2067

1899

Name	Apple A9	Intel Core M-5Y31
PassMark - Single thread mark	1187	1241
PassMark - CPU mark	2067	1899
GFXBench 4.0 - Manhattan (Frames)		1162
GFXBench 4.0 - Manhattan (Fps)		1162
GFXBench 4.0 - T-Rex (Frames)		1924
GFXBench 4.0 - T-Rex (Fps)		1924
GFXBench 4.0 - Car Chase Offscreen (Frames)		641
GFXBench 4.0 - Car Chase Offscreen (Fps)		641

Compare specifications (specs)

	Apple A9	Intel Core M-5Y31
Essentials
Architecture codename	Twister	Broadwell
Launch date	9 Sep 2015	1 December 2014
OS Support	iOS 9.0, iOS 15.7.5, iPadOS 16.4.1, tvOS 16.2
Place in performance rating	2044	2047
Processor Number	APL1021	5Y31
Series		5th Generation Intel® Core™ M Processors
Status		Launched
Vertical segment		Mobile
Performance
Base frequency	1.85 GHz	900 MHz
L1 cache	64 KB instruction + 64 KB data (per core)	128 KB
L2 cache	3 MB (shared)	512 KB
L3 cache	4 MB (shared)	4 MB
Manufacturing process technology	16 nm	14 nm
Maximum frequency	1.85 GHz	2.40 GHz
Number of cores	2	2
Number of threads	2	4
Transistor count	2 billion	1300 Million
64 bit support
Die size		82 mm
Maximum core temperature		95 °C
Memory
Max memory channels	1	2
Maximum memory bandwidth	25.6 GB/s	25.6 GB/s
Maximum memory size	2 GB	16 GB
Supported memory types	LPDDR4-3200	LPDDR3 1333/1600; DDR3L/DDR3L-RS 1600
Graphics
Execution Units	24
Graphics base frequency	650 MHz	300 MHz
iGPU core count	6
Processor graphics	Custom PowerVR Series 7XT @ 650MHz	Intel® HD Graphics 5300
Device ID		0x161E
Graphics max dynamic frequency		850 MHz
Graphics max frequency		850 MHz
Intel® Clear Video HD technology
Intel® Flexible Display Interface (Intel® FDI)
Intel® InTru™ 3D technology
Intel® Quick Sync Video
Max video memory		16 GB
Graphics interfaces
DisplayPort
eDP
HDMI
Number of displays supported		3
Wireless Display (WiDi) support
Graphics image quality
Max resolution over DisplayPort		2560x1600@60Hz
Max resolution over HDMI 1.4		2560x1600@60Hz
Graphics API support
DirectX		11.2/12
OpenGL		4.3
Compatibility
Configurable TDP-down		3.5 W
Configurable TDP-down Frequency		600 MHz
Configurable TDP-up		6 W
Configurable TDP-up Frequency		1.10 GHz
Low Halogen Options Available
Max number of CPUs in a configuration		1
Package Size		30mm x 16.5mm
Scenario Design Power (SDP)		3.5 W
Sockets supported		FCBGA1234
Thermal Design Power (TDP)		4.5 Watt
Peripherals
Max number of PCIe lanes		12
PCI Express revision		2.0
PCIe configurations		x1 (6), x2 (4), x4 (3)
Security & Reliability
Execute Disable Bit (EDB)
Intel® Identity Protection technology
Intel® OS Guard
Intel® Secure Key technology
Intel® Trusted Execution technology (TXT)
Advanced Technologies
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® technology
Flexible Display interface (FDI)
Idle States
Instruction set extensions		Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
Intel 64
Intel® Advanced Vector Extensions (AVX)
Intel® AES New Instructions
Intel® Fast Memory Access
Intel® Flex Memory Access
Intel® Hyper-Threading technology
Intel® Smart Response technology
Intel® Stable Image Platform Program (SIPP)
Intel® TSX-NI
Intel® Turbo Boost technology
Intel® vPro™ Platform Eligibility
Thermal Monitoring
Virtualization
AMD Virtualization (AMD-V™)
Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x)
Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)
Intel® VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)