Home  ›  Tech

Which Chip is King? Comparing the MediaTek Dimensity 9000 Plus and Snapdragon 8 Plus

Post a Comment

MediaTek is making a big comeback in the western market with its Dimensity 9000 Plus chipset, and it's been a highly anticipated release. After the launch of the non-Plus version in the OPPO Find X5 Pro Dimensity Edition, a China exclusive, the release of the Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro marked the introduction of a new tier - the Asus ROG Phone 6D Ultimate.

MediaTek is making a big comeback in the western market with its Dimensity 9000 Plus chipset, and it's been a highly anticipated release. After the launch of the non-Plus version in the OPPO Find X5 Pro Dimensity Edition, a China exclusive, the release of the Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro marked the introduction of a new tier - the Asus ROG Phone 6D Ultimate. To determine which chipset is superior, a comparison was made between the MediaTek Dimensity 9000 Plus and the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1, using two devices from the same OEM. This was done to account for differences in how companies approach their chipsets, as it is believed that a retained philosophy across both devices would provide a more accurate representation of the capabilities of the chipsets relative to each other. In the testing process, it was discovered that enabling Asus' X-Mode resulted in an intense overclock for the MediaTek Dimensity 9000 Plus, with a primary core increase from 3.2GHz to 3.35GHz and three super-cores increasing from 2.85GHz to 3.2GHz. This large jump in performance also increases power consumption. In the interest of fairness, both devices were compared with Asus' X-Mode enabled and disabled. This comparison provides a broad understanding of the capabilities of each chipset relative to the other, even though it may not be a perfect comparison. The comparison was made by resetting both the Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro and the Asus ROG Phone 6D Ultimate to their factory settings, without linking any Google accounts and with Wi-Fi only enabled to install updates for benchmarks that required it. All benchmarking applications were installed via adb and all tests were run on airplane mode with device batteries above 50%. Both devices had Asus' X-Mode enabled for the most accurate results, and the tests were then re-run with X-Mode disabled. MediaTek Dimensity 9000 Plus vs Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1: Understanding the Differences When comparing these two chipsets, it is important to understand their similarities and differences. Both chipsets have a primary Cortex-X2 core and a combination of Cortex A710 and A510 cores. However, their clock speeds are not the same and the MediaTek Dimensity 9000 Plus has a higher clock speed than Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1. One major difference between these chipsets is the power efficiency. The MediaTek Dimensity 9000 Plus was known for its power efficiency earlier in the year, but that doesn't seem to be the case with the Asus ROG Phone 6D Ultimate. This could be due to the fact that MediaTek and Asus are pushing the chipset to its limits. MediaTek has also included a 6MB system-level cache (SLC) in its chipset, while Qualcomm's only has a 4MB SLC. This cache can improve the overall performance of the SoC, reducing the need for requests to main memory. MediaTek's chipset also features its own proprietary infrastructure, including its MediaTek AI Processing Unit (APU), Imagiq 790 ISP, and Helio modem for connectivity. However, the ISP is on par with Qualcomm's Spectra 680 and the AI capabilities of the APU are not as powerful as Qualcomm's. When it comes to the GPU, MediaTek has opted for Arm's Valhall architecture which has ten cores and promises better performance than the Mali G78. The GPU is well-documented by Arm and there was a focus on improving performance, particularly with Vulkan. Benchmarks can give us a better understanding of the performance of these chipsets. AnTuTu is a holistic benchmark that tests CPU, GPU, and memory performance. GeekBench is a CPU-centric test that uses computational workloads. GFXBench simulates video game graphics rendering using the latest APIs. The Aztec Ruins and Manhattan ES 3.0/3.1 tests are the most computationally heavy tests offered by GFXBench. The CPU Throttling Test and Burnout Benchmark measure the power consumption, thermal throttling, and maximum performance of the SoCs. In conclusion, while Qualcomm has the edge in terms of raw computation and imaging, the MediaTek Dimensity 9000 Plus is a formidable competitor. Understanding the similarities and differences between these chipsets will help you make an informed decision when choosing a device. It's clear that both the MediaTek Dimensity 9000 Plus and Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 have their own strengths and weaknesses. While the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 has a slight advantage in terms of AI capabilities and modem performance, the Dimensity 9000 Plus stands out with its 6MB system-level cache and powerful GPU. Additionally, the Dimensity 9000 Plus' clock speeds are pushed to their limits, potentially leading to higher performance, but also potential efficiency issues. In terms of benchmarking, both chipsets perform well in different areas. The AnTuTu benchmark gives a holistic view of the chipset's performance, while the GeekBench test focuses on CPU performance. The GFXBench test measures GPU performance, and the Aztec Ruins and Manhattan ES 3.0/3.1 tests specifically stress the shader compute capabilities of the processor. The CPU Throttling Test and Burnout Benchmark test the chipset's performance over time and under heavy loads, respectively. Ultimately, the choice between these two chipsets will depend on individual preferences and requirements. If AI capabilities and modem performance are of utmost importance, the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 may be the better choice. On the other hand, if high performance and efficient GPU capabilities are preferred, the Dimensity 9000 Plus may be a better fit. Benchmarks Overview: AnTuTu: This is a comprehensive benchmark that tests the performance of the CPU, GPU, and memory. It includes both abstract tests and user experience simulations, such as scrolling through a ListView. The final score is weighted based on the designer's priorities. GeekBench: This is a CPU-focused test that measures the performance of various computational workloads, including encryption, compression, rendering, physics simulations, computer vision, and more. The score breakdown provides specific metrics and places a large emphasis on integer performance (65%), float performance (30%), and cryptography (5%). GFXBench: This benchmark aims to simulate video game graphics rendering using APIs like Vulkan and OpenGL ES 3.1. It measures the number of frames during a test and frames per second, rather than a weighted score. Aztec Ruins: This is one of the most demanding tests offered by GFXBench, testing the shader compute capabilities of a processor. It includes high polygon count geometry, hardware tessellation, high-resolution textures, global illumination, shadow mapping, particle effects, bloom, and depth of field effects. Manhattan ES 3.0/3.1: This test remains relevant as modern games have reached its proposed graphical fidelity. It features complex geometry, multiple render targets, reflections, mesh rendering, deferred lighting sources, and post-processing effects like bloom and depth of field. CPU Throttling Test: This app repeats a simple multithreaded test in C and measures the performance of the phone over time to detect any throttling. The score is measured in billion operations per second (GIPS). Burnout Benchmark: This test loads different SoC components with heavy workloads to analyze power consumption, thermal throttling, and maximum performance. It uses the Android BatteryManager API to calculate the watts used during testing, which can be used to understand the battery drain on a smartphone.

To determine which chipset is superior, a comparison was made between the MediaTek Dimensity 9000 Plus and the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1, using two devices from the same OEM. This was done to account for differences in how companies approach their chipsets, as it is believed that a retained philosophy across both devices would provide a more accurate representation of the capabilities of the chipsets relative to each other.

In the testing process, it was discovered that enabling Asus' X-Mode resulted in an intense overclock for the MediaTek Dimensity 9000 Plus, with a primary core increase from 3.2GHz to 3.35GHz and three super-cores increasing from 2.85GHz to 3.2GHz. This large jump in performance also increases power consumption.

In the interest of fairness, both devices were compared with Asus' X-Mode enabled and disabled. This comparison provides a broad understanding of the capabilities of each chipset relative to the other, even though it may not be a perfect comparison.

The comparison was made by resetting both the Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro and the Asus ROG Phone 6D Ultimate to their factory settings, without linking any Google accounts and with Wi-Fi only enabled to install updates for benchmarks that required it. All benchmarking applications were installed via adb and all tests were run on airplane mode with device batteries above 50%. Both devices had Asus' X-Mode enabled for the most accurate results, and the tests were then re-run with X-Mode disabled.

MediaTek Dimensity 9000 Plus vs Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1: Understanding the Differences

When comparing these two chipsets, it is important to understand their similarities and differences. Both chipsets have a primary Cortex-X2 core and a combination of Cortex A710 and A510 cores. However, their clock speeds are not the same and the MediaTek Dimensity 9000 Plus has a higher clock speed than Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1.

One major difference between these chipsets is the power efficiency. The MediaTek Dimensity 9000 Plus was known for its power efficiency earlier in the year, but that doesn't seem to be the case with the Asus ROG Phone 6D Ultimate. This could be due to the fact that MediaTek and Asus are pushing the chipset to its limits.

MediaTek has also included a 6MB system-level cache (SLC) in its chipset, while Qualcomm's only has a 4MB SLC. This cache can improve the overall performance of the SoC, reducing the need for requests to main memory.

MediaTek's chipset also features its own proprietary infrastructure, including its MediaTek AI Processing Unit (APU), Imagiq 790 ISP, and Helio modem for connectivity. However, the ISP is on par with Qualcomm's Spectra 680 and the AI capabilities of the APU are not as powerful as Qualcomm's.

When it comes to the GPU, MediaTek has opted for Arm's Valhall architecture which has ten cores and promises better performance than the Mali G78. The GPU is well-documented by Arm and there was a focus on improving performance, particularly with Vulkan.

Benchmarks can give us a better understanding of the performance of these chipsets. AnTuTu is a holistic benchmark that tests CPU, GPU, and memory performance. GeekBench is a CPU-centric test that uses computational workloads. 

GFXBench simulates video game graphics rendering using the latest APIs. The Aztec Ruins and Manhattan ES 3.0/3.1 tests are the most computationally heavy tests offered by GFXBench. The CPU Throttling Test and Burnout Benchmark measure the power consumption, thermal throttling, and maximum performance of the SoCs.

In conclusion, while Qualcomm has the edge in terms of raw computation and imaging, the MediaTek Dimensity 9000 Plus is a formidable competitor. Understanding the similarities and differences between these chipsets will help you make an informed decision when choosing a device.

It's clear that both the MediaTek Dimensity 9000 Plus and Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 have their own strengths and weaknesses. While the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 has a slight advantage in terms of AI capabilities and modem performance, the Dimensity 9000 Plus stands out with its 6MB system-level cache and powerful GPU. 

Additionally, the Dimensity 9000 Plus' clock speeds are pushed to their limits, potentially leading to higher performance, but also potential efficiency issues.

In terms of benchmarking, both chipsets perform well in different areas. The AnTuTu benchmark gives a holistic view of the chipset's performance, while the GeekBench test focuses on CPU performance. 

The GFXBench test measures GPU performance, and the Aztec Ruins and Manhattan ES 3.0/3.1 tests specifically stress the shader compute capabilities of the processor. The CPU Throttling Test and Burnout Benchmark test the chipset's performance over time and under heavy loads, respectively.

Ultimately, the choice between these two chipsets will depend on individual preferences and requirements. If AI capabilities and modem performance are of utmost importance, the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 may be the better choice. On the other hand, if high performance and efficient GPU capabilities are preferred, the Dimensity 9000 Plus may be a better fit.

Benchmarks Overview:

  • AnTuTu: This is a comprehensive benchmark that tests the performance of the CPU, GPU, and memory. It includes both abstract tests and user experience simulations, such as scrolling through a ListView. The final score is weighted based on the designer's priorities.
  • GeekBench: This is a CPU-focused test that measures the performance of various computational workloads, including encryption, compression, rendering, physics simulations, computer vision, and more. The score breakdown provides specific metrics and places a large emphasis on integer performance (65%), float performance (30%), and cryptography (5%).
  • GFXBench: This benchmark aims to simulate video game graphics rendering using APIs like Vulkan and OpenGL ES 3.1. It measures the number of frames during a test and frames per second, rather than a weighted score.
  • Aztec Ruins: This is one of the most demanding tests offered by GFXBench, testing the shader compute capabilities of a processor. It includes high polygon count geometry, hardware tessellation, high-resolution textures, global illumination, shadow mapping, particle effects, bloom, and depth of field effects.
  • Manhattan ES 3.0/3.1: This test remains relevant as modern games have reached its proposed graphical fidelity. It features complex geometry, multiple render targets, reflections, mesh rendering, deferred lighting sources, and post-processing effects like bloom and depth of field.
  • CPU Throttling Test: This app repeats a simple multithreaded test in C and measures the performance of the phone over time to detect any throttling. The score is measured in billion operations per second (GIPS).
  • Burnout Benchmark: This test loads different SoC components with heavy workloads to analyze power consumption, thermal throttling, and maximum performance. It uses the Android BatteryManager API to calculate the watts used during testing, which can be used to understand the battery drain on a smartphone.

Tech
SHARE WhatsApp
Newest Older

Related Posts

Post a Comment

Post a Comment