Between Qualcomm IPQ9574 and IPQ5424 Comprehensive Comparison

Comprehensive Comparison Between Qualcomm IPQ9574 and IPQ5424

Qualcomm’s IPQ9574 and IPQ5424 are both next-generation Wi-Fi 7 networking SoCs, but they target very different market segments and product designs. Below is a fully integrated comparison focusing on chipset architecture, performance, wireless capabilities, and typical applications.

---

1. Positioning & Product Segment

• IPQ9574 – A flagship, high-performance Wi-Fi 7 SoC, designed for enterprise routers, tri-band/quad-band APs, carrier-grade CPE, and outdoor base stations.

• IPQ5424 – A mid-range Wi-Fi 7 platform, aimed at cost-effective routers, residential gateways, and SMB access points.

---

2. CPU Architecture & Processing Power

Feature	IPQ9574	IPQ5424
CPU	Quad-core Cortex-A73	Quad-core Cortex-A53
Clock	Up to ~2.2 GHz	Up to ~1.5 GHz
Performance	High performance computing, strong routing throughput, ideal for multi-gigabit scenarios	Lower power consumption, adequate for mainstream routers

Conclusion:
IPQ9574 has significantly more processing headroom for handling multi-gigabit traffic, VPN, advanced security, and heavy AP controller workloads.

---

3. Wi-Fi Capabilities

Feature	IPQ9574 (Wi-Fi 7)	IPQ5424 (Wi-Fi 7)
Bands	Supports 2.4G / 5G / 6G (with external radios such as QCN9274/QCN6274)	Supports 2.4G / 5G / 6G
Max MIMO	4×4 (commonly paired with QCN9274/6274)	2×2 (mid-range radio design)
Bandwidth	Up to 320 MHz	Up to 320 MHz
QAM	4096-QAM	4096-QAM

Conclusion:
Both SoCs support the latest Wi-Fi 7 features, but IPQ9574 is typically designed for higher-end 4×4 radios, making it better for long-range, high-throughput, and enterprise APs.

---

4. Memory, I/O, and System Features

Category	IPQ9574	IPQ5424
RAM	DDR5 / DDR4	DDR4
Ethernet	Up to 10G interfaces depending on board design	Typically 2.5G interfaces
PCIe	More PCIe lanes, suitable for multiple Wi-Fi 7 radio cards	Fewer PCIe lanes
Acceleration	More powerful hardware NAT, crypto, and network acceleration	Basic acceleration capabilities

Conclusion:
IPQ9574 is built for multi-interface, multi-radio systems (tri-band/quad-band), while IPQ5424 suits simpler single/dual-band devices.

---

5. Power Consumption

• IPQ9574: Higher power consumption due to A73 cores and support for multiple 4×4 radios.

• IPQ5424: Much lower power usage, suitable for home routers, compact gateways, and SMB APs.

---

6. Typical Use Cases

IPQ9574

• Enterprise Wi-Fi 7 access points

• Outdoor CPE/bridge devices

• Multi-gigabit wireless backhaul

• High-density Wi-Fi deployments

• Carrier-grade routers

IPQ5424

• Residential Wi-Fi 7 routers

• SMB access points

• Cost-optimized gateways

• Low-power industrial IoT hubs

---

Final Summary

IPQ9574 = High performance | High-end enterprise | 4x4 | Multi-gigabit | Heavy computing
IPQ5424 = Mid-range | Cost-effective | 2x2 | Lower power | Residential/SMB

If your goal is top-tier performance, long-range APs, or multi-band Wi-Fi 7 systems, IPQ9574 is the ideal choice.
If you are building a stable, cost-efficient Wi-Fi 7 product for home or SMB markets, IPQ5424 provides excellent value.