ARM is introducing new CPU designs that break away from the traditional big-little configuration where there are usually more little cores than big cores. The latest designs include the powerful Cortex-X4, middle-tier Cortex-A720, and small Cortex-A520. These cores work together to achieve a balance between performance and efficiency. The DynamIQ Shared Unit system, which is driven by the DSU-120, facilitates cooperation between several CPU cores. While high-end chipsets typically use a 1+3+4 or 1+4+3 configuration, the standard is shifting towards 1+5+2.

Everything about the ARM new X4 Core!

The Cortex-X4 is designed for demanding single-threaded tasks, offering a 15% performance boost compared to the X3 at the same power consumption. It can also achieve a significant 40% reduction in power usage while maintaining performance. With its clock speeds expected to reach 3.4GHz, the Cortex-X4 is ARM’s fastest CPU core.

The Cortex-A720 is optimized for even greater efficiency than its predecessor, the A700 cores. It provides a 20% improvement in efficiency over the A715, which was already 20% more efficient than the A710. The A720 cores excel in handling multi-threaded workloads efficiently.

The Cortex-A520 is an in-order core that enables two cores to share execution units to reduce the amount of space needed on the silicon. It prioritizes power efficiency and achieves a 22% increase in efficiency over the A510. In high-end chipsets, the A520 cores are suitable for background tasks. A new chipset configuration with X4, A720, and A520 cores in a 1+5+2 arrangement is expected to deliver a 27% performance boost in multi-threaded tests compared to the current 1+3+4 configuration. This improvement assumes the same frequency and cache size.

These cores do not support the old 32-bit ARM instruction set; instead, the software running on them is optimized for ARMv9. The Cortex-A710 core is available for companies that still require 32-bit support. ARM has also introduced the second-generation Immortalis GPU, the G720, for flagship devices. The Mali-G720 and Mali-G620 GPUs cater to high-end and mid-range chips and introduce the “5th Gen” architecture.

One significant change in this generation is the Deferred Vertex Shading pipeline, which reduces memory load and leads to reduced power consumption and heat generation. The 5th gen architecture offers a 15% increase in peak performance and a 15% higher performance per watt on average. The Immortalis-G720 GPU improves ray tracing capability, and ARM is working with Tencent Games and MediaTek to create Smart Global Illumination (SmartGI) as a standard in the industry.

According to the design plans for the chipset, the Immortalis-G720 GPUs have a maximum core count of 10, whilst the Mali-G720 and Mali-G620 have a maximum core count of 6 to 9 and up to 5, respectively. These new CPU and GPU designs from ARM are expected to be available later this year and in early 2024.

Notably, the press release features quotes from TSMC, Samsung, and Intel Foundry Services. Intel Foundry Services mentioned their collaboration with ARM, stating that their Intel 18A technology combined with the Cortex-X4 CPU core will provide opportunities for innovative mobile SoCs. The involvement of Intel as a third player in the foundry space has the potential to drive innovation and reduce prices.