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SPEED - Droid really that close to Nexus?

vaio

Member
Dec 7, 2009
85
9
I really dont think so at all. I looked at some vids in you and that nexus is FAST!! I have my droid clocked at 550 firm all the time (its rooted) and it does not come close to how the nexus moves around and opens things up.

I also know that one cannot compare speeds by simply opening things up. If that were true my wifes cliq is faster many times opening things up. But when you do things that need a strong proccesor theres where you will see the difference.

For example, before I rooted the droid i could NOT stream tv shows (jetflicks) using wifi and a bluetooth stereo headset. the show would pause every 2-3 minutes, very annoying, and the voice would be of sync as well.

When I rooted the phone and installed an app that keeps the droid at 550 it worked PERFECTLY. No problems with sync or the show stopping every few minutes. SO, Im thinking that there cannot be no way in android world that the droid can perform at the same speed of the nexus when using apps that NEED a good fast proccesor.

Am I way off here?
 
Yeah, this is a losing battle. In the world of tech, just around the corner, there will always be something better. So while Snapdragon is faster than the OMAP3 in our Droids, the OMAP4s and Tegra2 chipsets coming out this year will be wiping the floor with Snapdragon.

But that being said, we're still talking about the two premier handsets in the Android world. Most (99%) of the apps in the Market are developed to work with the older, slower models like the G1 and Hero. I don't think we'll be seeing too many applications that truly tax the CPUs of our Droids or the N1 anytime soon.

As for basic speed around the GUI, I've seen those video reviews of the N1. I'm quite certain my Droid is just as fast, with a much more filled/widget heavy home screens (5). So, I guess what I'm saying is, don't worry.

Check out this head-to-head Droid and N1 comparison:

MobileTechReview.com Discussion Forums: Superphone smackdown 2: Nexus One vs. Motorola Droid in words and video
 
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There really is no definitive results out there until we see some benchmark numbers of the chipsets themselves. There's a Benchmark app, but 1) Benchmarks need to be done with optimized drivers (as we've seen Snap's improvements in OpenGL benchmarks with optimized drivers) and 2) They were running 2D graphics push, which is obviously tailored to the strong points of the Scorpion CPU.

As for the app-loading speeds, browser tests, stuff that you're seeing out there can be attributable to a number of things:

1) I don't think there is no doubt that Snap is certainly faster, the question by how much? On paper, the Scorpion CPU can be clocked UP TO 1GHz, which it is in the N1 and the HD2. The GPU can perform UP TO 22Mpoly/s, if fully clocked. While we know the CPU is running at full clock, since Android OS doesn't make full use of the GPU, we don't know what settings the GPU is shipped with. Even though the Snap is newer, both are manufactured using the older 65nm technology (current is 45nm).

2) Qualcomm CEO mentioned himself that the Snapdragon will represent about a 5% increase in performance over existing competitors. Remember, the QSD8250 was developed in response to the popular utilization of OMAP3 (2006) in devices, during which time Qualcomm was distributing and utilizing the MSM72xx chipset. In the Smartphone arena, you're either using the TI OMAP3 chip (iPhone uses a Samsung chip that's virtually the same) or the Qualcomm MSM. Snapdragon was the next iteration and evolution, made available in Q4, 2008.

3) The variables are too different at the moment: a) We have to wait until both get OPTIMIZED OS2.1 for their hardware. The N1 already has optimized OS2.1; when the DROID gets 2.1 released, it too shall be optimized for its hardware. b) At the end of the day, the N1 is going to have 512mb of RAM. While this typically may not be an advantage since the OS and other applications are rather light on RAM use, it may, under load, multi-tasking be a benefit to speed for the N1. Again, this may or may not be a factor. But certainly, having more RAM helps speed.

But even at the end of the day, are you comparing the TI core to Scorpion? Are you comparing the SGX GPU to the ATI Imageon GPU? What's valid? All this to say, that you may notice some marginal speed differences and some processes are going to take advantage of Scorpion's superior integer performance. But neither chip is a slouch. What you're looking at is the LAST of a breed: single core SOC. The next phase of SOC will feature dual- or quad-cores, 45 nm technology. 1GHz+ clock speeds, but maybe the same GPUs! So... right now, it's a numbers game.

I liken it to flat-screen TVs. 60Hz LCD vs. 120Hz LCD vs. 240Hz LCD vs. 600Hz plasmas... can you really tell the difference if there's no artificial smoothing going on? Absolutely not. So why did plasma manufacturers tout 600Hz subdrives? Because they know consumers are dumb. They're just looking for the highest value. Right now, the catch number is 1GHz. But I guarantee you this:

The next evolution of the OMAP3430 chip -- the OMAP4430/4440 -- @ 1GHz will put the Q8250 Snap to shame. Same clock speed. That's why the DROID isn't THAT MUCH slower. I said it before and I'll say it again: It's about INTEGRATION -- how well all the units work together: the CPU, GPU, DSP, ISP... all of it.

Tegra 650 is a bum chip even though it has arguably THE BEST GPU on the market right now because the main CPU is based on an ARM11 architecture and is super whack! Bad CPU mated to an AWESOME GPU. The Snap has a brilliant CPU and a decent GPU. The OMAP3 has a very good CPU mated to a very good GPU and by far the best DSP. So many factors... and we're not even talking about software yet!
 
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There really is no definitive results out there until we see some benchmark numbers of the chipsets themselves. There's a Benchmark app, but 1) Benchmarks need to be done with optimized drivers (as we've seen Snap's improvements in OpenGL benchmarks with optimized drivers) and 2) They were running 2D graphics push, which is obviously tailored to the strong points of the Scorpion CPU.

As for the app-loading speeds, browser tests, stuff that you're seeing out there can be attributable to a number of things:

1) I don't think there is no doubt that Snap is certainly faster, the question by how much? On paper, the Scorpion CPU can be clocked UP TO 1GHz, which it is in the N1 and the HD2. The GPU can perform UP TO 22Mpoly/s, if fully clocked. While we know the CPU is running at full clock, since Android OS doesn't make full use of the GPU, we don't know what settings the GPU is shipped with. Even though the Snap is newer, both are manufactured using the older 65nm technology (current is 45nm).

2) Qualcomm CEO mentioned himself that the Snapdragon will represent about a 5% increase in performance over existing competitors. Remember, the QSD8250 was developed in response to the popular utilization of OMAP3 (2006) in devices, during which time Qualcomm was distributing and utilizing the MSM72xx chipset. In the Smartphone arena, you're either using the TI OMAP3 chip (iPhone uses a Samsung chip that's virtually the same) or the Qualcomm MSM. Snapdragon was the next iteration and evolution, made available in Q4, 2008.

3) The variables are too different at the moment: a) We have to wait until both get OPTIMIZED OS2.1 for their hardware. The N1 already has optimized OS2.1; when the DROID gets 2.1 released, it too shall be optimized for its hardware. b) At the end of the day, the N1 is going to have 512mb of RAM. While this typically may not be an advantage since the OS and other applications are rather light on RAM use, it may, under load, multi-tasking be a benefit to speed for the N1. Again, this may or may not be a factor. But certainly, having more RAM helps speed.

But even at the end of the day, are you comparing the TI core to Scorpion? Are you comparing the SGX GPU to the ATI Imageon GPU? What's valid? All this to say, that you may notice some marginal speed differences and some processes are going to take advantage of Scorpion's superior integer performance. But neither chip is a slouch. What you're looking at is the LAST of a breed: single core SOC. The next phase of SOC will feature dual- or quad-cores, 45 nm technology. 1GHz+ clock speeds, but maybe the same GPUs! So... right now, it's a numbers game.

I liken it to flat-screen TVs. 60Hz LCD vs. 120Hz LCD vs. 240Hz LCD vs. 600Hz plasmas... can you really tell the difference if there's no artificial smoothing going on? Absolutely not. So why did plasma manufacturers tout 600Hz subdrives? Because they know consumers are dumb. They're just looking for the highest value. Right now, the catch number is 1GHz. But I guarantee you this:

The next evolution of the OMAP3430 chip -- the OMAP4430/4440 -- @ 1GHz will put the Q8250 Snap to shame. Same clock speed. That's why the DROID isn't THAT MUCH slower. I said it before and I'll say it again: It's about INTEGRATION -- how well all the units work together: the CPU, GPU, DSP, ISP... all of it.

Tegra 650 is a bum chip even though it has arguably THE BEST GPU on the market right now because the main CPU is based on an ARM11 architecture and is super whack! Bad CPU mated to an AWESOME GPU. The Snap has a brilliant CPU and a decent GPU. The OMAP3 has a very good CPU mated to a very good GPU and by far the best DSP. So many factors... and we're not even talking about software yet!

Is there really a debate, obviously its faster.
Wait till N1 hits Verizon then we'll see..


Seeing these 2 replies back-to-back made me lol. Some people like to put effort into their responses, others are lazy :D Thanks for your well thought out response sooper droid.

As an aside, my droid is now clocked to 1.1ghz so I no longer envy that snap proc in the slightest. I'll hold out for my 2 years and hopefully get a dual or quadcore proc in my phone as you say.
 
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honestly...i have been running my Droid @ 1Ghz and i can't imagine how much faster the N1 could be. I have posted Linpack numbers 10.5. I have seen Cyanogen's numbers around 17 but for what i need my Droid is damn fast. In fact i played with a stock Droid the other day and it was night and day. If you haven't rooted your Droid, do it and try the 1Ghz OC kernel...you won't be disappointed.

Unless of course you fry your CPU
 
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honestly...i have been running my Droid @ 1Ghz and i can't imagine how much faster the N1 could be. I have posted Linpack numbers 10.5. I have seen Cyanogen's numbers around 17 but for what i need my Droid is damn fast. In fact i played with a stock Droid the other day and it was night and day. If you haven't rooted your Droid, do it and try the 1Ghz OC kernel...you won't be disappointed.

Unless of course you fry your CPU

I'll be getting the N1 based off form factor alone. I hate my droid's keyboard so much I never use it. I'll be happy when a phone just as powerful is available in a slimmer, all touch form. This spring.

I have nothing neg to say about my droid.... except for the size.
 
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I'll be getting the N1 based off form factor alone. I hate my droid's keyboard so much I never use it. I'll be happy when a phone just as powerful is available in a slimmer, all touch form. This spring.

I have nothing neg to say about my droid.... except for the size.

I'm with you. Love the OS, just want the 'better, slimmer' form factor.
 
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Phonedog posted a comparison on Youtube as well just yesterday (2 parts). In one of the scenes, he links both at the same time to his phonedog site. The Droid gets there instantly (like 5 seconds), but the Nexus struggles for some reason as he continues to speak. As the Nexus is struggling, he clicks another url for his site on the Droid, and the Droid again brings it up instantly... fully loaded, while the Nexus is still strugging.
He eventually cuts to another scene, without acknowledging what just happened. (I wonder why?)

Nexus chokes at about 5 minutes into this video, trying to pull up the phonedog site:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgmKCV-k7g4

He mentions earlier in the video that they are both on wifi with good signal strength. I know it may have been just a glitch, but why even leave the clip in there?
At the end, he declares the Nexus as the winner, more for asthetics, saying it's simply cuz he likes the screen, among other reasons.
 
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