The graphics and audio components are likely licensed from PowerVR, including the PowerVR SGX GPU and PowerVR VXD for audio and video. These are all integrated into a single chip, although flash memory, networking and other components are on separate chips. The A4 is actually built by Samsung, most likely using a 45nm manufacturing process.
The PowerVR SGX is a capable GPU, offering pretty decent 3D graphics. However, the iPad’s relatively low resolution (1024x768) is probably tied to a combination of limited video memory, and the fact that the chip’s raw pixel-pushing performance just isn’t up to pushing pixels at acceptable frame rates above that 1024x768 resolution. That said, at this resolution the SGX is a solid performer, and the iPad is likely to offer substantially better gaming performance, and a more robust gaming experience, than an iPhone. It’s quite possible that gaming will be the iPad’s killer app.
http://www.maclife.com/article/feature/ ... t_apple_a4
