Although smartphones increasingly have higher level processors, the truth is that it still cannot be said that a smartphone or tablet can be at the level of a computer. However, according to Nvidia, all that could change shortly. And it is that, they have just presented the new Nvidia Tegra K1 de 64 bits, which will be compatible with Android L.
There were even doubts still about whether Android L would be compatible with 64-bit processors at the launch of the new version of the operating system, but Nvidia has been in charge of confirming that it will. And, one of the things that Nvidia has highlighted when announcing the new processor, the Nvidia Tegra K1 64-bit, is that they have already been working on the development of Android L to be compatible with the new processor.
The company had already presented the Nvidia Tegra K1 32-bit, a high-performance quad-core processor, which was already one of the best on the market. However, the launch of the new 1-bit Nvidia Tegra K64 promises an even better future. According to Nvidia, this processor will make Android smartphones and tablets have nothing to envy computers, something that undoubtedly sounds really good. It seems clear that it will be the best processor on the market, although it remains to be seen if this new 1-bit Nvidia Tegra K64 is really capable of reaching the performance of computers.
However, it seems that the new processor could be the one that would carry the Nexus 8. Actually, this makes a lot of sense, as the Nexus 8 is expected to arrive with Android L, and the fact that it has a 64-bit processor would confirm that the new version of the system will be fully compatible. It would also encourage other companies to start installing these new processors. In any case, we still don't know when the new tablet might be launched, so we'll have to wait and see. launch could take place in September or OctoberWhat seems clear is that Nvidia has prepared to stand up to Qualcomm, a company that currently dominated the processor market.
Architecture, 64-bit and Android compatibility
El Tegra K1 It is offered in two variants: one based on 4+1 ARM Cortex-A15 cores high performance, and another with 64-bit Denver CPU with two cores of our own design on ARMv8. Nvidia claims the Denver can reach frequencies of 2,3 / 2,5 GHz and that work has been done so that Android L Take full advantage of its 64-bit mode from day one, just like in the Nexus 8.
In addition to 64-bit support, Nvidia describes optimizations in code translation that allow you to run non-native code efficiently, distributing work when a core is idle to avoid performance impacts. In parallel, concepts such as larger L1/L2/L3 caches or with a higher thread count help improve latency and multitasking; the clock multiplier It remains key to adjust the effective speed of the CPU according to the load.
Kepler GPU with 192 CUDA cores: desktop graphics in your pocket
The great advantage of the SoC is its Kepler-based GPU, with 192 CUDA cores, the same architectural approach that Nvidia uses in desktop cards. This enables support for OpenGL ES 3.0, and OpenGL 4.0 y DirectX 11, with a declared very low consumption in the graphic part. In technical demonstrations, the platform has run engines such as Unreal Engine 4 with a fluency that points to experiences of Gaming mobile and display in high resolutions.
According to documentation released by the company, the version Denver 64-bit introduces microarchitectural improvements that increase the number of instructions per cycle that the graphics subsystem can handle compared to the 32-bit edition, reaching significantly higher values ​​in specific pipelines.
Measured performance: benchmarks and comparisons
In early tests carried out on equipment that included Tegra K1 metrics were observed that placed it above Apple A7 y Snapdragon 800 in the CPU and, above all, GPU sections. In general tests such as AnTuTu figures close to were reported 34.000 points in standard settings, while other trials showed peaks of ~43.000 points when the SoC was operating at very high frequencies.
It is important to note that these peaks were achieved with clocks close to 3 GHz, conditions not representative of commercial use. With frequencies limited to ~2,3–2,5 GHz to control temperature y best before date, sustained performance tends to be balanced with alternatives of the time such as certain variants of Snapdragon 805In the graphic section, its performance was compared with integrated solutions such as Intel HD 4400 in specific scenarios, always with the cautions inherent to different methodologies and platforms.
Efficiency and HMP: 4+1 cores and intelligent management
Nvidia combines the approach 4 + 1 with concepts of Heterogeneous Multi-Processing (HMP), an evolution of the scheme big.LITTLEThe idea is simple: to be able to use all cores when the load demands it, or delegate to a single low-power core for light tasks. This approach allows you to choose between maximum performance o better autonomy without changing platforms.
Efficiency is also supported by details such as larger caches that reduce memory accesses, a thread planner finer and the ability to modulate the clock multiplier in real time. All of this, together with the GPU Kepler more capable per watt, helps the whole system perform at its best while keeping heat and energy consumption at bay.
Beyond the smartphone: SoC versatility
The demonstrations of Tegra K1 have been carried out on Android, but Nvidia is targeting uses that transcend mobile phones and tablets: TVs, Consoles, teams of A / V and even systems of automotive. Support for advanced APIs and its 192-core GPU open the door to rich interfaces, complex games, and parallel processing in multiple scenarios.
El Nvidia Tegra K1 64-bit sets the bar high with its combination of CPU Denver, GPU Kepler and support of Android L. The performance data is promising and, with smart management via HMP, is shaping up to be a very capable platform for those seeking graphics power and next-generation mobility compatibility.
