Snapdragon S4 MSM8960 benchmarks show dual-core is not dead
There is no denying that quad-core processors are the next big thing in mobile, but new benchmark tests suggest we shouldn’t be sleeping on the next generation of dual-core CPUs. AnandTech got their hands on a developer device sporting Qualcomm’s upcoming Snapdragon S4 MSM8960 platform and the results simply blew away the competition. I the Linpack multi-threaded benchmark the MSM8960 torched every device on the market. Its next closest competitor was the Samsung Galaxy S II, which didn’t even match half of the new S4’s score. Closer was last year’s Snapdragon S3 developer device, but barely.
The MSM8960’s GLBenchmark GPU scores weren’t as impressive as the pure processing scores, but it’s Adreno 225 still managed to lead the pack. The score is expected, as the 225 offers only incremental improvements to its predecessor, the Adreno 220. The Adreno 300 series is where the real GPU power is expected.
Perhaps even better than the MSM8960’s impressive benchmark scores is the fact that it is manufactured on a 28nm process, which not only equals a more compact chip but also improved battery life over previous dual-core platforms. In short: dual-core is far from dead. One device said to utilize the new chip is the upcoming HTC Ville, which should make its debut at Mobile World Congress. It won’t be as impressive as the HTC Endeavor’s quad-core design on paper, but we are willing to bet it will hold its own when it comes to pitting power against power.
[via Anandtech]