Apple TV Features A Dual-core 32nm A5 Chip
Question asked by Swagatam M in #Electronics on Apr 12, 2012
Swagatam M · Apr 12, 2012
Rank C3 - EXPERT
The new generation of Apple TV was revealed along with the New iPad in March. It was updated with many features along with the ability to play 1080p content. It also featured the latest Bluetooth 4.0 which consumes low power. Another aspect which mostly went unnoticed is the upgraded processor.
![[IMG]](proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.crazyengineers.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F04%2Fgallery-big-03.jpg&hash=d540b12492feece04b7af21606989047)
The Apple Online Store has the processor section written as a Single-core A5 chip but that is not actually the case. The guys at Chipworks have discovered something that Apple may be hiding from everyone. The Apple TV has been packed in with a new A5 processor which is a dual-core chip.
"Why has Apple been hiding this?", is an interesting question which has two possible answers to it. First, Apple may be using only one core for the device, or secondly, They might be "binning" the parts. Binning is a process of using the devices, which are separated for not meeting the specific requirements, for other purposes. Which means if an A5 chip comes out of production with a malfunctioning core, then Apple could use the chip by disabling the affected core, saving on costs.
![[IMG]](proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.crazyengineers.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F04%2FA5vsA5fromatv.jpg&hash=047e8d4a2cfca3b633a6793d01f17d40)
Another surprise is that the processor is a 32nm chip, which means it is 41% smaller in size than its 45nm predecessor. With all these new changes, the third generation Apple TV brings profit for Apple as the chip is cheaper to manufacture but Apple TV owners still have to pay the $99. Posted in: #Electronics
The Apple Online Store has the processor section written as a Single-core A5 chip but that is not actually the case. The guys at Chipworks have discovered something that Apple may be hiding from everyone. The Apple TV has been packed in with a new A5 processor which is a dual-core chip.
"Why has Apple been hiding this?", is an interesting question which has two possible answers to it. First, Apple may be using only one core for the device, or secondly, They might be "binning" the parts. Binning is a process of using the devices, which are separated for not meeting the specific requirements, for other purposes. Which means if an A5 chip comes out of production with a malfunctioning core, then Apple could use the chip by disabling the affected core, saving on costs.
Another surprise is that the processor is a 32nm chip, which means it is 41% smaller in size than its 45nm predecessor. With all these new changes, the third generation Apple TV brings profit for Apple as the chip is cheaper to manufacture but Apple TV owners still have to pay the $99. Posted in: #Electronics
