Re:Memory access on the Apple M1 processor
by epistasis on Wednesday January 06, 2021 @02:52PM
(#25661450)
> So a good cpu design, just like AMD and Intel have
The design seems to be very different, in that it's far far wider, and supposedly has a much better branch predictor.
> fast ram
Is that a property of the RAM clock, or a function of a better memory controller? The RAM certainly doesn't appear to have any better latency.
Re:Memory access on the Apple M1 processor
by gameswithgo on Wednesday January 06, 2021 @03:14PM
(#25661746)
Right, latency isn't (much) affected by a higher clock rate. Getting ram to run fast requires both good ram chips and good controller/motherboard.
and yes, obviously apples bespoke ARM cpu is quite a bit different than Zen3 Ryzens x86 cpu, but I'm not sure it is net-better. When Zen4 hits at 5nm I expect it will perform on par or better than the M1, but we won't know till it happens!
1. they are the only ones who have 5nm chips because they paid a lot to TSMC for that right 2. they gave up on expandable memory, which lets them solder it right next to the cpu, which likely makes it easier to ship with really high clocks. and/or they just spent the money it takes to get binned lpddr4 at that speed.
So a good cpu design, just like AMD and Intel have, but one generation ahead on node size, and fast ram. Its not special low latency ram or anything, just clocked higher than maybe any other production machine, though enthusiasts sometimes clock theirs higher on desktops!