Even better, there’s no need to carve out portions of memory for each part of the SoC and then shuttle data between the two spaces for different parts of the processor.
First, that means that if the GPU needs more system memory, it can ramp up usage while other parts of the SoC ramp down. The basic idea is that the M1’s RAM is a single pool of memory that all parts of the processor can access. In addition, Apple is tweaking how memory is used within the system.Īpple calls its approach a “Unified Memory Architecture” (UMA). “What’s the big deal?” Well, first of all, this means faster access to memory, which inevitably improves performance. So the physical RAM modules are still separate entities, but they are sitting on the same green substrate as the processor. Either way, RAM for PCs and Macs have traditionally been a discrete component with its own space on the motherboard. RAM can also be a simple square or rectangular module that is soldered onto the motherboard. Typically, RAM exists in the form of these long, thin sticks that fit into specialized slots on your laptop or desktop motherboard, as pictured above. Then, the CPU manages changes made to the file by accessing and manipulating what’s in memory. The CPU then takes all the data it needs for these operations and loads the necessary information into memory. When you decide to open a text file, your CPU receives those instructions as well as which program to use. This can be anything from necessary files for running the operating system to a spreadsheet you’re currently editing to the contents of open browser tabs. It’s the primary component of system memory, which is a temporary storage space for data your computer is using right now. RELATED: What Is Apple's M1 Chip for the Mac? The Basics: What Are RAM and Memory? Corsair What’s different now is that this approach is also coming to the Mac, a full-fledged computer designed for heavier workloads.
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If you look at this iFixit teardown for the iPad Pro 11, you can see the RAM sitting to the side with the A12X processor. Smartphone SoCs can include RAM, and Apple’s decision to put the RAM modules off to the side is something we’ve been seeing from the company since at least 2018. Instead, it sits off to the side as pictured above.Īdding RAM to the SoC is nothing new. To be clear, the RAM isn’t on the same Silicon as the fundamental parts of the SoC. The M1 is a system on a chip (SoC), which means that there’s not just a CPU inside the processor, but also other key components, including the GPU, I/O controllers, Apple’s Neural Engine for AI tasks, and, most importantly for our purposes, the physical RAM is part of that same package. This change was long expected and is the culmination of Apple’s decade spent designing ARM-based processors for the iPhone and iPad. The new MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac Mini models are using an ARM-based processor custom-designed by Apple called the M1. In case you haven’t already heard the news, Apple announced a new slate of Macs in November 2020.
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