Google Tensor vs Qualcomm Snapdragon 855

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Google Tensor or Google Tensor – which processor offers superior performance? In this comparison, we examine disparities and assess which of these two CPUs outperforms the other. We delve into technical specifications and benchmark outcomes.
The Google Tensor features 8 processor cores and has the capability to manage 8 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q4/2021 and belongs to the 1 generation of the Google Tensor series.
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 features 8 processor cores and has the capability to manage 8 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q4/2018 and belongs to the 6 generation of the Qualcomm Snapdragon series.
Google Tensor Group Qualcomm Snapdragon 855/860
1 Generation 6
Mobile Segment Mobile
Google Tensor Name Qualcomm Snapdragon 855
Google Tensor Family Qualcomm Snapdragon
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Google Tensor has 8 CPU cores and can calculate 8 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the A-Core is 1.8 GHz.
The number of CPU cores greatly affects the speed of the processor and is an important performance indicator.
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 has 8 CPU cores and can calculate 8 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the A-Core is 2.84 GHz.
4x Cortex-A55 Cores C 4x Kryo 485 Silver
8 Threads 8
None None 2.42 GHz
8 CPU Cores 8
hybrid (Prime / big.LITTLE) Core architecture hybrid (Prime / big.LITTLE)
2x Cortex-X1 Cores A 1x Kryo 485 Prime
No Hyperthreading No
1.8 GHz A-Core Frequency 2.84 GHz
2.8 GHz A-Core Frequency Turbo None
No Overclocking No
2x Cortex-A76 Cores B 3x Kryo 485 Gold
None None 1.8 GHz
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Google Tensor has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Google Tensor uses the ARM Mali-G78 MP20, which has 320 texture shaders
and 20 execution units.
The iGPU uses the system's main memory as graphics memory and sits on the processor's die.
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 uses the Qualcomm Adreno 640, which has 384 texture shaders
and 4 execution units.
320 Shaders 384
Q4/2021 Release date Q1/2019
5 nm Technology 7 nm
12 Direct X 12.0
0 bytes Max. GPU Memory 4.0 GB
-- Max. displays --
20 Execution units 4
0.76 GHz GPU frequency 0.25 GHz
Vallhall 2 Generation 5
-- GPU (Turbo) 0.59 GHz
ARM Mali-G78 MP20 GPU name Qualcomm Adreno 640
 
 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Google Edge TPU @ 1.6 TOPS AI specifications --
Google Tensor AI AI hardware --
 
 

Hardware codec support

A photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos.
Decode / Encode VP8 Decode / Encode
Decode / Encode VC-1 No
Decode / Encode JPEG No
Decode AV1 No
Decode / Encode h265 / HEVC (8 bit) Decode / Encode
Decode / Encode AVC No
Decode / Encode h264 Decode / Encode
Decode / Encode VP9 Decode / Encode
Decode / Encode h265 / HEVC (10 bit) Decode / Encode
 
 

Memory & PCIe

The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 12.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 53.0 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 16.0 GB distributed across 4 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 55.3 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
pci PCIe pci
No AES-NI No
LPDDR5-5500 Memory type LPDDR4X-4266
No ECC No
12.0 GB Max. Memory 16.0 GB
2 Memory channels 4
53.0 GB/s Bandwidth 55.3 GB/s
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 10 W watts.
TDP indicates the cooling solution needed to effectively manage the processor's heat. It generally provides an approximate indication of the actual power consumption of the CPU itself.
10 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) None
-- Tjunction max --
 
 

Technical details

The Google Tensor is manufactured using a 5 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 is manufactured using a 7 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 2.0 MB cache.
Q4/2021 Release date Q4/2018
None Virtualization None
ISA extensions
5 nm Technology 7 nm
-- Chip design Chiplet
-- Release price --
G1 Architecture Kryo 485
0 bytes L3-Cache 2.0 MB
Android Operating systems Android
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
ARMv8-A64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) ARMv8-A64 (64 bit)
-- Part Number SM8150
Socket
8.0 MB L2-Cache 1.8 MB