Tags

20nm 28nm 32nm AMD Android Apple ARM Business DRAM Flash Geforce GK104 Google HDD Intel iOS Ivy Bridge Kepler Micron Microsoft NAND Nokia Nvidia Qualcomm Samsung Semiconductor SSD TSMC Windows 8 Xbox


News
 

Bookmark and Share

(15) 
AMD Llano Fusion 32nm Trinity Radeon

Shortages of AMD A-Series Chips May Be Over as AMD Rolls-Out Refresh.

AMD Quietly Starts to Sell Higher-Performance A-Series "Llano" APUs

[12/21/2011 06:40 AM]
by Anton Shilov

Advanced Micro Devices this week started to sell a new breed of its A-series accelerated processing units (APUs) code-named Llano that have higher clock-speeds and thus better performance. The refresh of the product lineup may indicate that AMD has more or less managed to solve shortage issues with its most powerful Fusion chips designed for mainstream PCs.

"The new parts are basically speed bumps, and I am taking the fact AMD can ship faster versions of A-series chips as an indicator they may be able to improve their availability. Retailers such as Newegg and Amazon couldn’t get their hands on early versions of the chips because they were so production constrained," said Nathan Brookwood, principal of Insight64, reports EETimes web-site.

On Thursday AMD added five new A-series APUs for desktops as well as eight new A-series "Fusion" chips for laptops. All Fusion processors based on Llano design feature two, three or four x86 cores code-named "Husky" that are based on the outdated micro-architecture as well as modern Radeon HD 6000-series DirectX 11-class graphics adapter.

Among other products released this week are AMD A8-3870K (4 cores at 3.0GHz, 400 stream processors at 600MHz, 4MB L2 cache, 100W TDP) and A6-3670K (4 cores at 2.70GHz, 320 stream processors at 600MHz, 4MB L2 cache, 100W TDP) with unlocked clock-speed multiplier aimed at gamers, performance enthusiasts and overclockers. The new "Black Edition" chips are priced at $135 and $115, respectively, and may be a good choice for those in budget and with overclocking ambitions.

It remains to be seen how significantly AMD manages to improve availability of its chips and whether the success with potentially improved Llano yields will automatically mean better availability of AMD's second-generation A-series APUs code-named Trinity due in late Q1 or Q2 2012.

Tags: AMD, Llano, Fusion, 32nm, Trinity, Radeon

Discussion

Comments currently: 15
Discussion started: 12/21/11 10:50:39 AM
Latest comment: 01/18/12 03:12:43 PM
Expand all threads | Collapse all threads

[1-2]

1. 
It's all good for AMD customers and AMD.
4 4 [Posted by: beenthere  | Date: 12/21/11 10:50:39 AM]
Reply
- collapse thread

 
Llano processors for desktops is still too expensive compared to Athlon II X4 plus discreet video cards combinations. The reason for this is buying 1866 MHz (preferably 2000 MHz) memory in order for the Llano processors to perform decent.

Llano processors belong in notebooks and not in desktops, so this processor is not good for AMD desktop customers.

In order for Llano processors to succeed in desktops, the processors have to have at least three memory channels when using 1333 MHz memory. When using 1866 MHz memory in a three memory channel setup, the bandwidth should be enough for 400 streaming processors and 4 CPU. Three 1333 MHz memory modules are cheaper than two 1866 MHz memory modules. This is the reason why Llano processors for desktops are not good for desktop AMD customers.
0 0 [Posted by: tecknurd  | Date: 12/21/11 02:02:10 PM]
Reply
 
Agreed with you that CPU+GPU is memory constrained.

But first DAMN will newer use Trip(l)er-Channel memory setup on mainstrema processor as Intel also didn't but use it exclusively for highely priced CPUs and now with LGA2011 TC simply doesnt have any competitive meaning.

On the other hand this so called Fusion Operation could yield much better performance if the whole thing doesn't rely on no L3 design so they could save as much as possible space for GPUs. It simply doesnt work well as the whole thing should nowadys have QuadCh memory with DC dedicated to CPU cores and DC dedicated to GPUs just to behave similarly to discrete GPU + CPu combination

And that's not the idea ... they simply need any kind of L3 cache because huge L2 (+512MB over Denebs like in AIIx2) doesnt help in this situtaions. And to do that they need to redesign their cache approach which wouldnt happen so soon. Maybe some of SSE5/AVX in Bulldozer will elp to tie things together even w/o L3 and cache reddesign approach. Otherwise crapy SB descendants could easily overtake the crown in that segment werty son not in IvyBridge which is supposedly habve only one more "6-core GPU module" over two in Sandy Bridge Core-i series. But maybe with the next TOCK which is End of 2012 DAMN could loose the last field where they could dominate since 2008 and they NEVER DID.
0 0 [Posted by: OmegaHuman  | Date: 12/22/11 03:19:31 AM]
Reply
 
you say much but not many facts like price of memory etc.

my hazy recollection of reviews was - yes - faster memory helps - but not much beyond a certain point - & that point was fairly mainstream & similar price & even cheaper than 1333 mostly - 1600 mhz ram

like i said - not sure yet but as i recall - prices change

I think llano is a natty product.

I am unconvinced ab out 4 cores - a native 2 core llano using the extra silicon spared for tweaks would be better - i think the engineers lost to marketing on that.

i can recall 2000 made little difference

re "Athlon II X4 plus discreet video cards combinations" - yeah - but what about; power, heat, noise, easy drivers, reliability, easy maintenance

price is overrated - if new & a shortage - early adopters always pay a abit more than fair market price - it must go down as it is so "all in one" w/ so little silicon - & of course so will faster ram.

"
In order for Llano processors to succeed in desktops, the processors have to have at least three memory channels when using 1333 MHz memory."

what does succeed mean? at what job?

When using 1866 MHz memory in a three memory channel setup, the bandwidth should be enough for 400 streaming processors and 4 CPU."

so it does succeed? in this case - then - yes?


" Three 1333 MHz memory modules are cheaper than two 1866 MHz memory modules."

how much cheaper? - u dont say - it could be peanuts.

"This is the reason why Llano processors for desktops are not good for desktop AMD customers."


u may be right - but its a very hazy argument & u give much opinion & no facts.


0 1 [Posted by: msroadkill612  | Date: 12/22/11 07:48:32 PM]
Reply
 
Oh you want to hold your hand like mamma/pappa does for you.

Athlon II X4 640 $99.99
Radeon HD 5670 $99.99
8 GB (2 X 4 GB) DDR3-1600 $43.99

Total $243.97


AMD A8-3850 $139.99
2 Qty 4 GB (2 X 2 GB) DDR3-2000 $127.98

Total $267.97

mmm, did I stutter. This is with out including the motherboard. The difference between the two is the Athlon II X4 640 is faster than A8-3850, so that setup wins.

Heat wise, since the Athlon II X4 640 has a better video card and a faster processor, it will be hotter, but do not forget it has higher performance overall. Reliability is there in both systems, but if the graphics core gets trashed in the A8-3850 who is going to replace that area of that chip. Since the graphics core is part of A8-3850, you have to replace the whole entire chip and it gets tedious to remove it. If the Radeon HD 5670 fails to work, it is an easy replacement and when it does fail there is a possibility that there is a better model that can bought at $100. If you care for noise, there is ways to do this which is water cooling or the easiest is super air coolers.

History have shown that people are not willing to pay more when something equal is cheaper. Walmart and Target comes to mind. People will always drive from store to store in order to find the cheapest product. Though in computers, people use cheaper more than they did a long time ago, but some brands have stuck in most people's mind for computers when buying which is unfortunately is Intel is in people's mind.

I have state my facts, but next time I am not going to waste my time to hold your hand to do your homework like your mamma/pappa.
0 0 [Posted by: tecknurd  | Date: 12/23/11 11:08:32 PM]
Reply
 
2 Qty 4 GB (2 X 2 GB) DDR3-2000 $127.98


There's a decent jump in price from DDR3-1866 to DDR3-2000 RAM.
Interesting how neckturd chose the more expensive RAM to argue his point.
0 0 [Posted by: mamma&papa  | Date: 12/27/11 08:08:43 AM]
Reply
 
Yes, it is.

@AMD please add more stocks in my country, Your AMD Llano is hard to find.

Only disadvantage is, AMD might lost significant profit from the Entry Level and maybe soon Mainstream Discrete Graphics Processor from ATI. but with its cheaper price good choice for Desktop and Notebook Users.
1 1 [Posted by: xentar  | Date: 12/22/11 07:17:27 AM]
Reply
 
perhaps u should give amd a hint as to which country u r from
1 0 [Posted by: msroadkill612  | Date: 12/22/11 07:50:21 PM]
Reply
 
Philippines.
0 1 [Posted by: xentar  | Date: 12/22/11 08:35:29 PM]
Reply
 
wala bulok na AMD!
0 0 [Posted by: PnoyP  | Date: 01/18/12 03:12:43 PM]
Reply
2. 
Glad AMD got over its production woes now they just need to lower their APU's power consumption. Its nice that There are AMD quad cores with a better IGP for less than Intel but I am really looking forward to mobile parts from AMD.
1 0 [Posted by: jmlxg  | Date: 12/21/11 11:58:50 AM]
Reply
- collapse thread

 
Absolutely, Plus their prices somehow is high for competing with (Intel's i3 series + low end graphics cards) I guess.
1 1 [Posted by: Pouria  | Date: 12/21/11 01:37:35 PM]
Reply
 
That's True but remember AMD has been having a hard time with 32nm up until now so the higher price is to be expected.
0 0 [Posted by: jmlxg  | Date: 12/21/11 02:10:42 PM]
Reply
 
Well it's not customers issues but their late-over-late issues. They never had so much problems as probably to GF need to fix some things regarding holding structure. It's sad to see how symbiosis failed on their first steps. 32nm should be in production since Q4 2010. At least that was the whole proclamated idea about outsourcing production to GloFo as they would be more competitive to the market and having their focus only on silicon production and design, not to do anything with CPUs memory or whatsoever.

A6 which is x3 CPU simply overpriced considering real old x3 and same goes for A8 series which is only a llitle bit less overpriced considering athlonii x4 ... 1MB L2 cace per core vs. 512kB in athlons doesnt help that much at all to justify such prices, neither should CPU+ discreete GPU of same performance have same price or just a little bit less than A4/A6/A8-Fusion chips!!
0 0 [Posted by: OmegaHuman  | Date: 12/22/11 03:28:05 AM]
Reply
 
am skeptical re $ but even if so - llano is way less messy & leaner
0 0 [Posted by: msroadkill612  | Date: 12/22/11 07:52:43 PM]
Reply

[1-2]

Add your Comment

[Login] [Forgot password?] [Registration]




Related news

Latest News

Thursday, May 24, 2012

10:00 pm | Microsoft Clarifies Its Exec's Claims: 500 Million Windows 8 Copies in 2013 Are "Potential" Upgrades. Microsoft Retracts Statement Regarding 500 Million Windows 8 Licenses to Be Sold in 2013

8:35 pm | ECS Reveals "NonStop" Mainboard Family with Extended Stability and Reliability. ECS Boosts Stability and Reliability with Premium Components and Rigorous Testing on NonStop Platforms

6:28 pm | AMD Rumoured to Start Production of Next-Gen FX-Chips in Q3. AMD to Start Making FX "Vishera" Chips Next Quarter

11:32 am | UMC Begins to Build Fab to Make 28nm, 20nm and 14nm Chips. UMC Spends $8 Billion on Expansion, Confirms Development of 14nm FinFET Process Technology

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

11:17 pm | OCZ Quietly Introduces 7mm Vertex 3 LP SSDs for Ultrathin Laptops. OCZ Reveals Low-Profile Vertex 3 LP Solid-State Drives

11:01 pm | Toshiba Vows to Release Hybrid Hard Disk Drive in September. Toshiba Confirms Development of Hybrid Hard Disk Drive

10:28 pm | Jury Finds: Google Android Did Not Infringe Oracle's Patents. Google Not Guilty of Infringing Oracle's Patents

8:48 pm | 208 Million "Phablets" Set to Be Sold by 2015 - Analysts. Smartphones with Ultra Large Screens Will Continue Gaining Popularity

8:23 pm | Microsoft Expects 500 Million People to Use Windows 8 Next Year [UPDATED]. Microsoft Projects Breakthrough for Windows 8 Sales Thanks to Compatibility with Different Devices

7:07 pm | Thunderbolt Interface to Receive Green Light from Mainboard Makers in Second Half of 2012 - Rumour. Thunderbolt Interconnection to Make It to Mainstream Systems Later in 2012

6:18 pm | Apple and Samsung Fail to Reach Settlement at Special Meeting. Court-Ordered Meeting Does Not Resolve Apple Vs. Samsung Dispute

12:10 pm | Seagate Set to Take Over LaCie. Seagate and LaCie Agree About Acquisition

more news >>>

Our Sponsors

Crucial.com by Micron Technology, Inc. Kingston Technology