Google teamed up with Samsung as soon as once more to construct the Tensor G3, the chipset that powers the brand new Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional. It comes out of Samsung’s 4nm foundries and includes a 9-core CPU (1x Cortex-X3 + 4x A715 + 4x A510) and an ARM Mali-G715 GPU.
Google hasn’t revealed specifics about this GPU, however it appears to have 7 compute models, the identical as final yr’s Tensor G2 (that one was a Mali-G710). How environment friendly is that this GPU? Golden Reviewer has run some checks to seek out out.
Beginning with 3DMark Wildlife Excessive, the chipsets are rated based mostly on rating divided by common energy (so larger is healthier). The G3 doesn’t accomplish that effectively – it’s about as quick as an Apple A14 and is slower than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1.
The chipset to regulate in these checks is definitely MediaTek’s Dimensity 9200. It additionally makes use of the Mali-G715 (with 11 compute models) however has been fabbed on a 4nm node from TSMC. The Dimensity outperforms the Tensor by a large margin, nonetheless, it’s almost equal when it comes to effectivity.
Shifting over to GFXBench Aztec (Vulkan/Metallic again finish, 1440p offscreen), the Dimensity as soon as once more faculties the Tensor and presents almost double the body fee, however attracts almost double the facility too, so it’s mainly the identical efficiency-wise. Considerably disappointingly the Tensor G3 is simply a small improve over the G2 on this take a look at (the hole in Wildlife was way more important).
Lastly, one other GFXBench take a look at (v3.1) exhibits the hole between the Google chip and the MediaTek one is smaller at 1080p. Nonetheless, accounting for energy draw the 2 chipsets are about the identical.
Based on Golden ReviewerSamsung’s 4nm LPP node is 1.5-2 generations behind the 4nm TSMC node. Within the extra demanding checks the Tensor G3 is simply not aggressive with present flagship chips, by no means thoughts those which might be simply behind the nook – the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and Dimensity 9300 needs to be unveiled earlier than the top of this yr.
The node drawback doesn’t bode effectively for Samsung’s personal Exynos 2400, although that one has a very completely different GPU – one based mostly on RDNA 3 tech from AMD, so an architectural benefit may hold it within the sport.
Again to Google, the Tensor G4 will seemingly be constructed at Samsung’s foundry as soon as once more as Google nonetheless wants the experience of the Exynos staff. Nonetheless, rumor has it {that a} Google is engaged on an in-house design that will not depend upon Samsung. That’s anticipated in 2025.
