Apple M1
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CPU overview Apple M1 (8 C/8T). M1, 5 nm, 15 W TDP.

Overall score
star star star star star
Released
Q4/2020
Apple M1

Apple M1

Apple M1 is a processor released on Q4/2020. It has a clock speed of 3.20 GHz GHz and supports LPDDR4X-4266 type of RAM. The N/A socket connects the processor to the motherboard. With 8 cores and 8 threads, this processor can handle multiple tasks simultaneously, providing high performance. The cooling thermal power requirement is 15 W W. The M1 architecture ensures high performance and reliability, making this processor an ideal choice for those dealing with tasks requiring high computing power. Apple M1 is a Mobile processor with a TDP of 15 W W. Thanks to the 5 nm nm manufacturing process, it can operate at a base clock speed of 3.20 GHz GHz and reach a maximum core clock speed of No turbo GHz. This processor also supports various types of memory, including LPDDR4X-4266, making it versatile and suitable for a wide range of applications. The 16.00 MB L2 cache and -- L3 cache provide fast and efficient task execution, further improving performance.
Performance tests
Real tests Apple M1
Cinebench R23 (Single-Core)
Cinebench R23 (Single-Core) is a performance benchmark that measures the speed of data processing in a single core of a processor
iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)
Specifications
Complete list of technical specifications
CPU generation and family

Let's start our review of the Apple M1 processor by exploring its basic specifications, namely: the model code name, the segment of use (server, workstation, computer or laptop), the generation of the processor (its previous model), and the family group. All data is taken from the manufacturer's official source.

  • Name
    Apple M1
  • Segment
    Mobile
  • Family
    Apple M series
  • Generation
    1
  • CPU group
    Apple M1
CPU Cores and Base Frequency

Technical information about the CPU Apple M1 base clock frequency, number of processor cores, processor threads, as well as turbo frequency of cores in single-threaded and multithreaded mode. Pay attention to overclocking and hyperthreading support. All of these specifications directly affect the performance of the model in work applications or games. A higher values, more the faster will be the processor.

  • 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
Internal Graphics

Integrating a graphics core into the processor complements its functionality, but not all manufacturers (AMD or Intel) integrate iGPU into their CPUs. Even if the processor has an integrated graphics card, its power is hardly enough for modern games, so these features do not affect the overall performance of the processor. If Apple M1 supports an integrated graphics core, you can see its specifications below.

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

Hardware codecs help processors convert blocks of data into a sequence of images or sound. In modern processors, the need to support hardware codecs is not a priority, so these characteristics are not considered in the overall Apple M1 performance rating.

  • 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 & PCIe

Memory specifications for Apple M1 play a crucial role in overall performance and ranking, so it's essential to understand the memory format supported by the processor Apple M1 in terms of memory type and maximum quantity for compatibility with the motherboard. Don't forget to consider the PCI Express version; the higher, the better. Additionally, you can find information on the maximum number of memory channels supported by the processor and the number of PCIe lanes here.

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

A specialized processor extension, AES-NI encryption system, was first introduced by Intel in 2008. This system is designed to handle data encryption for data stored in RAM and on hard drives. Check if your Apple M1 processor supports this encryption method.

  • AES-NI
    Yes
Thermal Management

Thermal management is an essential aspect to consider when it comes to CPU performance. Overheating may damage the processor, while optimal temperature levels can enhance its performance. Apple M1 processors are equipped with thermal monitoring technologies to ensure stable system operation, prevent overheating, and automatically adjust power consumption to maintain the best balance of performance and power usage.

  • TDP (PL1)
    15 W
  • TDP up
    20 W
  • TDP down
    10 W
Technical details

To gain a comprehensive understanding of the Apple M1 processor, it's important to examine several key factors. Firstly, take note of the supported ISA (Instruction Set Architecture) instructions, as this will determine the processor's capabilities and compatibility with certain software. Secondly, make sure to check the compatibility with motherboards, as some processors may only work with certain types of motherboards. Thirdly, pay attention to the manufacturing process technology, as this can greatly impact the processor's performance and efficiency. Finally, it's crucial to consider the size of the L2 and L3 cache, as the larger the cache size, the faster the data can be processed and retrieved.

  • Instruction set (ISA)
    ARMv8-A64 (64 bit)
  • Virtualization
    None
  • ISA extensions
    Rosetta 2 x86-Emulation
  • L2-Cache
    16.00 MB
  • Architecture
    M1
  • Technology
    5 nm
  • Socket
    N/A
  • Release date
    Q4/2020
Devices using this processor

Which devices (computers, laptops) are manufactured with the Apple M1 processor preinstalled. Information is for reference only and may not be accurate. Please write us in the comments, on what other devices processor {Apple M1} was installed and we will complete this page.

  • Used in
    Apple iMac 24 (2021)Apple MacBook Pro 13 (L2020)Apple MacBook Air (2020)Apple Mac mini (2020)Apple iPad Pro 11 (2021)Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2021)
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