Apple's A6 chipset could have a GPU that has 20-times the power of its current A5 model

Apple’s iPad 3 and iPhone 5, according to reports, could ship equipped with Imagination Technologies’ latest GPU, known as the PowerVR G6200 and G6400 GPU.

These new GPUs are said to be 20-times more powerful than the one currently used inside Apple’s A5 chipset.

‘The PowerVR G6200 and G6400 GPU IP cores are the first in the Power VR Series6 GPU family from Imagination Technologies,’ reports Apple Insider.

‘The chipmaker said its latest mobile processors are a new benchmark for high performance with low power consumption.’

Apple is one of Imagination Technologies most high profile customers, using its GPUs inside its custom-built ARM CPUs. These chips, like the Apple A5 Chipset, for instance, are considered by many to be the best mobile processors on the planet.

Apple’s A5 chipset, which is used inside the iPhone 4S and iPad 2, has a GPU clocked at 800MHz – that’s 73 per cent faster than the A4 processor found inside the iPhone 4.

However, this is nothing compared to what the next-generation of Series6 GPUs will be capable of.

‘The new Series6 GPUs are based on the PowerVR Rogue architecture,’ says Apple Insider, ‘which Imagination said will enable devices to provide ultra-realistic gaming and more complex applications. The Series6GPUs can deliver 20 times or more of the performance of current GPU cores through an architecture that is five times more efficient than previous generations.’

Here’s the official line via Imagination Technologies:

‘Based on our experience in shipping hundreds of millions of GPU cores, plus extensive market and customer feedback, we have been able to set a new standard in GPU architecture, particularly in the areas of power, bandwidth and efficiency -- the key metrics by which GPUs are now judged,’ said Imagination Chief Executive Hossein Yassaie.

He added: ‘We are confident that with the Rogue architecture we have a very clear technology advantage and an exceptional roadmap for the PowerVR Series6 family which our partners can depend on.’

Interestingly, Apple owns a 9 per cent stake in Imagination Technologies. But will this new ultra-powerful GPU end up inside the iPad 3 and iPhone 5?

There's no official word from either Apple or Imagination Technologies at present. But Apple is expected to debut a new quad-core chipset, dubbed the A6, inside its iPad 3 and iPhone 5.

Providing this does happen, as expected, we'd say it's pretty safe to say that these new super GPUs will make an appearance at some point inside Apple products.

Sources