- Joined
- Nov 16, 2006
- Messages
- 1,151
- Trophies
- 1
- Location
- Texas, Hang 'Em High
- Website
- Visit site
- XP
- 954
- Country
http://www.anandtech.com/show/7187/...ght.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=Feed
The folks at AnandTech caught Samsung red-handed in tweaking the Android OS to run certain benchmarks better. They found the behavior on both the Snapdragon and the Exynos S4 models, but the Exynos models cheated even worse.
Basically, Samsung added a "Benchmark Booster" feature to cheat benchmarks. (It's actually called that in the code!)
If a certain benchmark app was detected as being run, the S4 Exynos would overclock its GPU from 480MHz to 532MHz and both models would set the CPU governer to the maximum CPU clock speed. While the CPU clock speed was available to all apps, the overclocked GPU mode was only made available to these benchmarks.
Have a cool 3D high-end android game? The S4 Exynos's GPU will run at 480MHz.
Have a meaningless benchmark? The S4 Exynos's GPU will run at 532MHz.
UPDATE:
Samsung admits to tweaking the S4.
http://global.samsungtomorrow.com/?p=26314
Now, what they are saying is a bit duplicitous. The only apps that can use the 532/533 MHz mode are ones that Samsung approves and white-lists. Samsung's apps can use it. Benchmarks can use it. Everything else can't. What's the point of benching at 532MHz when your real world performance is artificially capped at 480MHz?
TL;DR:
Don't trust benchmarks!
The folks at AnandTech caught Samsung red-handed in tweaking the Android OS to run certain benchmarks better. They found the behavior on both the Snapdragon and the Exynos S4 models, but the Exynos models cheated even worse.
Basically, Samsung added a "Benchmark Booster" feature to cheat benchmarks. (It's actually called that in the code!)
If a certain benchmark app was detected as being run, the S4 Exynos would overclock its GPU from 480MHz to 532MHz and both models would set the CPU governer to the maximum CPU clock speed. While the CPU clock speed was available to all apps, the overclocked GPU mode was only made available to these benchmarks.
Have a cool 3D high-end android game? The S4 Exynos's GPU will run at 480MHz.
Have a meaningless benchmark? The S4 Exynos's GPU will run at 532MHz.
UPDATE:
Samsung admits to tweaking the S4.
http://global.samsungtomorrow.com/?p=26314
Under ordinary conditions, the GALAXY S4 has been designed to allow a maximum GPU frequency of 533MHz. However, the maximum GPU frequency is lowered to 480MHz for certain gaming apps that may cause an overload, when they are used for a prolonged period of time in full-screen mode. Meanwhile, a maximum GPU frequency of 533MHz is applicable for running apps that are usually used in full-screen mode, such as the S Browser, Gallery, Camera, Video Player, and certain benchmarking apps, which also demand substantial performance.
The maximum GPU frequencies for the GALAXY S4 have been varied to provide optimal user experience for our customers, and were not intended to improve certain benchmark results.
Samsung Electronics remains committed to providing our customers with the best possible user experience.
Now, what they are saying is a bit duplicitous. The only apps that can use the 532/533 MHz mode are ones that Samsung approves and white-lists. Samsung's apps can use it. Benchmarks can use it. Everything else can't. What's the point of benching at 532MHz when your real world performance is artificially capped at 480MHz?
TL;DR:
Don't trust benchmarks!