IPQ8074 vs. IPQ8064 SOC: A Technical Comparison

System on Chips (SoCs) play a pivotal role in modern networking devices, and Qualcomm’s IPQ8074 and IPQ8064 are two prominent examples within this domain. Both belong to the Qualcomm Networking Pro series, designed to provide high-performance processing for routers and other network devices. This article explores the key differences between these two SoCs, focusing on their architecture, performance, connectivity features, and overall capabilities.

Architectural Differences

CPU Cores and Performance

• IPQ8074:

• CPU Architecture: Quad-core ARM Cortex-A53

• Clock Speed: Up to 2.2 GHz

• Fabrication Process: 14nm FinFET

• Performance: Higher efficiency and performance per watt compared to the IPQ8064, owing to the more modern and power-efficient Cortex-A53 cores and a smaller fabrication process.

• IPQ8064:

• CPU Architecture: Dual-core Krait 300 (based on ARM Cortex-A15)

• Clock Speed: Up to 1.4 GHz

• Fabrication Process: 28nm

• Performance: Lower performance compared to the IPQ8074, with a higher power consumption footprint due to the older Krait architecture and larger process node.

Memory and Storage

• IPQ8074:

• Memory Interface: Supports DDR4 memory

• Memory Bandwidth: Higher bandwidth with improved power efficiency

• Storage: Enhanced storage options with faster interfaces

• IPQ8064:

• Memory Interface: Supports DDR3/DDR3L memory

• Memory Bandwidth: Lower bandwidth compared to DDR4

• Storage: Limited to older storage interface standards

Connectivity and Networking Capabilities

Wireless Capabilities

• IPQ8074:

• Wi-Fi Standard: Supports Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)

• MIMO Configuration: Up to 8x8 MU-MIMO

• Peak Data Rates: Significantly higher data rates due to advanced modulation and coding schemes

• Other Features: OFDMA, BSS Coloring, Target Wake Time (TWT)

• IPQ8064:

• Wi-Fi Standard: Supports up to Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)

• MIMO Configuration: Up to 4x4 MU-MIMO

• Peak Data Rates: Lower peak data rates compared to IPQ8074

• Other Features: Limited to older Wi-Fi advancements

Wired Connectivity

• IPQ8074:

• Ethernet Ports: Integrated 10G Ethernet support

• Switch Capability: Advanced switching capabilities with higher port count

• Other Interfaces: More extensive I/O options including PCIe, USB 3.0

• IPQ8064:

• Ethernet Ports: Supports up to 1G Ethernet

• Switch Capability: Basic switching capabilities with lower port count

• Other Interfaces: Limited to older I/O standards

Power Efficiency

The IPQ8074 benefits significantly from a more advanced fabrication process (14nm FinFET) compared to the IPQ8064's 28nm process. This results in lower power consumption and higher performance per watt, making the IPQ8074 more suitable for high-performance networking applications where power efficiency is crucial.

Applications and Use Cases

IPQ8074

Given its advanced features and higher performance, the IPQ8074 is ideal for:

• High-end consumer routers and access points

• Enterprise-grade networking equipment

• High-density deployments requiring advanced Wi-Fi 6 features

• Use cases demanding high data throughput and low latency

IPQ8064

The IPQ8064, while older and less powerful, still serves well in:

• Mid-range consumer routers

• Small to medium-sized business networking devices

• Applications where cost-efficiency is more critical than cutting-edge performance

Conclusion

High-capacity 802.11ax SoC for Routers, Gateways and Access Points

The IPQ8074 is Qualcomm’s first 802.11ax network solution, designed to meet the growing demands of increasingly crowded and dense Wi-Fi environments. It offers the optimal 11ax configuration to bring unprecedented capacity and coverage to Wi-Fi networks, and supports several unique features to ensure the best possible Wi-Fi performance for all types of applications.

Qualcomm® Internet Processor (IPQ) for Home Network ProductsThe IPQ8064 is a quad-core network processor designed to bring unprecedented performance and power efficiency to Wi-Fi routers and gateways. It combines a powerful, dual-core Qualcomm® Krait™ CPU (1.4 GHz) for control plane and applications, with a dual-core 730 MHz Network Subsystem (NSS) to accelerate packet processing. The IPQ8064 also features a PHY-agnostic design and wide variety of peripheral interfaces to maximize design flexibility across a full range of home networking products.

The Qualcomm IPQ8074 represents a significant step forward from the IPQ8064, bringing modern enhancements in CPU architecture, wireless capabilities, wired connectivity, and power efficiency. These improvements make the IPQ8074 more suitable for the latest networking demands, particularly in environments that require high data rates, low latency, and efficient power usage. Mea