Apple M1
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Overall score
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Released
Q4/2020
Apple M1

Processor Apple M1, specifications and benchmarks

182 place in the overall ranking CPUs!
The Apple M1 processor is installed in N/A socket boards and operates at a frequency of 3.20 GHz. The Apple M1 has a total of 8 cores. Release date: Q4/2020. TDP is 15 W. This review will provide all the technical specifications and detailed data about the Apple M1 processor. Discover everything to determine whether a game or software will run on Apple M1.

Specifications

Technical data
CPU Family and Group

This section provides a comprehensive overview of the processors generation and family, explaining the specific market segment it is designed for. It covers key details such as the CPUs position within its product lineup, its intended use cases (e.g., consumer, server, or workstation), and how its generation compares to previous models.

  • Segment
    Mobile
  • Family
  • Generation
    1
  • CPU group
    Apple M1
  • Predecessor
    --
  • Successor
    --
CPU Technical Specs

Apple M1. This section highlights key performance parameters of the processor, including the number of cores, threads, and clock speeds (base and boost frequencies). These metrics directly impact multitasking capabilities and overall system performance in both single-threaded and multi-threaded applications.

  • Frequency
    3.20 GHz
  • CPU Cores
    8
  • Turbo (1 Core)
    No turbo
  • CPU Threads
    8
  • Turbo (8 Cores)
    No turbo
  • Hyperthreading
    No
  • Overclocking
    No
  • Core architecture
    hybrid (big.LITTLE)
  • A core
    4x Firestorm
  • B core
    4x Icestorm
  • C core
    --
IGPU

This section provides details on the integrated graphics capabilities of the processor. It covers the architecture, performance characteristics, and supported technologies (e.g., DirectX, OpenGL), which are essential for systems without dedicated GPUs or for mobile devices that require energy-efficient graphics processing.

  • GPU name
    Apple M1 (8 Core)
  • GPU frequency
    3.20 GHz
  • GPU (Turbo)
    No turbo
  • Execution units
    128
  • Shader
    0
  • Max. GPU Memory
    8 GB
  • Max. displays
    2
  • Generation
    1
  • DirectX Version
  • Technology
    5 nm
  • Release date
    Q4/2020
Hardware codec support

This section covers the built-in hardware codec support for video and image processing. The processor’s ability to handle codecs like H.264, HEVC, and VP9 directly influences its performance in tasks such as video playback, editing, and streaming. This hardware acceleration ensures smoother media handling with lower CPU utilization.

  • h265 / HEVC (8 bit)
    Decode / Encode
  • h265 / HEVC (10 bit)
    Decode / Encode
  • h264
    Decode / Encode
  • VP9
    Decode / Encode
  • VP8
    Decode
  • AV1
    Decode
  • AVC
    Decode
  • VC-1
    Decode
  • JPEG
    Decode / Encode
Memory Specs & PCI

This section breaks down the technical characteristics of the memory supported by the processor, including the types (e.g., DDR4, DDR5), number of memory channels, and maximum supported memory speed. It also covers PCI Express support, which determines the bandwidth available for GPUs, SSDs, and other peripherals, critical for high-performance systems.

  • Memory type
    LPDDR4X-4266
  • Max. Memory
    16 GB
  • ECC
    No
  • Memory channels
    2
  • PCIe version
    4.0
  • PCIe lanes
Encryption

This section focuses on the hardware-based security technologies integrated into the processor. These include encryption support features such as AES-NI, Intel SGX, and AMD Secure Memory Encryption, which provide robust protection for sensitive data and help mitigate cybersecurity risks.

  • AES-NI
    Yes
Thermal Management
  • TDP (PL1)
    15 W
  • TDP up
    20 W
  • TDP (PL2)
    --
  • TDP down
    10 W
  • Tjunction max.
    --
* see below
Technologies and Extensions

This section explains the underlying technologies that enable the processor to deliver high performance. It includes details about the manufacturing process (e.g., 7nm, 10nm), supported instruction sets (e.g., AVX, SSE), and virtual machine extensions that enhance compatibility and efficiency across various workloads.

  • Instruction set (ISA)
    ARMv8-A64 (64 bit)
  • Virtualization
    None
  • ISA extensions
    Rosetta 2 x86-Emulation
  • L2-Cache
    16.00 MB
  • L3-Cache
    --
  • Architecture
    M1
  • Technology
    5 nm
  • Socket
    N/A
  • Release date
    Q4/2020
  • Part Number
    --
Positions in all rankings

Common positions Apple M1 CPU in popular benchmarks, for comparison with other models.

  • Cinebench R23 (Single-Core)
    128 place
  • Cinebench R23 (Multi-Core)
    216 place
  • Geekbench 5, 64bit (Single-Core)
    117 place
  • Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)
    346 place
  • iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)
    57 place
  • Blender 2.81 (bmw27)
    106 place
  • Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)
    86 place

Benchmarks

Performance tests CPU

Compare the benchmark scores of Apple M1 with other processors to gauge its real-world performance across various tasks..

These tests encompass tasks such as mathematical calculations, 3D rendering, cryptocurrency mining, and performance evaluations in both single-core and multi-core modes.

Cinebench R23 (Single-Core)
Maxon's Cinebench R23 SC is a cross-platform test suite for macOs and Windows uses one CPU core, with no hypetrading
Cinebench R23 (Multi-Core)
Maxon's Cinebench R23 MC is a cross-platform test suite for macOs and Windows using a multi-core and hyperthreading
Geekbench 5, 64bit (Single-Core)
Geekbench 5 SC is a popular cross-platform performance test for desktop or mobile processors that uses system memory intensively
1768
Apple M1 Max
1768
Apple M1 Pro (10 Core)
1768
Apple M1 Pro (8 Core)
1742
Apple M1
Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)
Geekbench 5 MC is a popular cross-platform performance test for desktop or mobile processors that uses system memory intensively
iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)
The performance of the iGPU - the internal GPU in games
3656
3656
2844
2600
Apple M1

Synonyms

Similar processors in terms of performance.

Similar in technical data processors with Apple M1.

Intel Core i9-12900T View
Intel Core i9-10940X View
Intel Core i9-7900X View
Intel Xeon W-2191B View
AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS View
AMD Ryzen Threadripper Pro 3945WX View
AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS View
Intel Core i5-13505H View

*

PL1 - The power limit (in watts) generated by the processor (or GPU) during sustained, standard operation. It represents the typical thermal output during normal workloads.

PL2 - Represents the maximum power limit under heavy load or overclocking conditions. It indicates the thermal output during peak performance.

These values are essential for determining the optimal cooling system and power supply required to maintain stable performance.

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Apple M1

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