AMD officially launches Fusion Llano for desktops

(credit: BSN. AMD.)

Now that the notebook versions of AMDs Llano A-series APUs are already shipping to manufacturers. AMD today announced the launch of its first two Llano APUs for desktops. Both processors are quad-cores and feature discrete-class integrated graphics processors, dual-channel DDR3 controllers and 4MB of cache and come in a socket FM1 package. The main differences between the two is that the A6-3650 features a GPU with 320 DX11 capable stream processors and a clock speed of 2.6GHz while the A8-3850 features 400 stream processors and a clock speed of 2.9GHz.

The two will be available on July 3 and cost you $115 and $136 for the A6 and A8 respectively.

source AMD

The AMD Llano powered HP Pavilion dv6z Quad Edition is now available, starting at $650

HP announced their dv6 and dv7 refresh of Pavilion high performance notebooks in a recent press release and we're starting to see some of those models pop up on their official website. The dv6z that showed up recently will be part of eleven models planned to receive the AMD Fusion Llano treatment, this particular model, as its name suggests, will give you the options to choose from a total of five Llano A6 and A8 series quad-core APUs, in addition to 2 discrete GPUs (Radeon HD 6400 and 6700 series) to pair them up with. The dv6z starts at $649.99 but as usual, expect that to increase once you throw in the 16GB of RAM, 1TB harddrive, a 1080p anti-glare display and a 9-cell battery. However, we've got to give to HP, they've hit the price-performance-battery life hotspot with this and all thats left now is to get our hands on one and put it through its paces. The source link below takes you to the official dv6z page, have at it!

source HP

AMD Trinity Fusion APUs detailed at the Fusion Developer Summit

AMD is almost done releasing its first generation of Fusion accelerated processing units tageting almost every consumer segment, including ULPC, netbooks, nettops, notebooks, performance notebooks, and desktops. These chips combine x86-64 cores with Radeon GPU components, DDR3 memory contollers, and PCI-Express 2.0 hubs. At the Fusion Developer Summit, there is already talk about what the next generation of APUs will bring to the table. 

The next generation Fusion platform, codenamed "Trinity", will combine two AMD's very latest in-house developments in the fields of x86 computing and consumer graphics: Bulldozer and VLIW4. Bulldozer is an x86 processor architecture built from ground up by AMD, that saw a large degree of reorganization within the processor core. A Bulldozer module is a closely-knit group of two cores that share some common resources, and end up with stellar inter-core bandwidth. Bulldozer packs support for the latest industry-standard instruction sets, including SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, and AES. VLIW4, on the other hand, is a reorganization of the SIMD processing clusters of Radeon GPUs, introduced with Radeon HD 6900 series. With this reorganization, each stream processor is more capable than it was, and performance per mm2 die area is increased.


Continue reading via TechPowerUp

AMD Fusion Llano for notebooks benchmarked and reviewed

Although Llano is targeted solely at the mainstream, it is home to a number of firsts for AMD. This is AMD's first chip built on a 32nm SOI process at GlobalFoundries, it is AMD's first microprocessor to feature more than a billion transistors, and as you'll soon see it's the first platform with integrated graphics that's actually worth a damn.

AMD is building two distinct versions of Llano, although only one will be available at launch. There's the quad-core, or big Llano, with four 32nm CPU cores and a 400 core GPU. This chip weighs in at 1.45 billion transistors, nearly 50% more than Sandy Bridge. Around half of the chip is dedicated to the GPU however, so those are tightly packed transistors resulting in a die size that's only 5% larger than Sandy Bridge.

Read the full review over at AnandTech

AMD officially releases Llano

AMD's Llano platform has been on our radar for more than two years, and finally, the company has come clean with its latest class of hybrid CPU / GPU chips, officially dubbed the Fusion A-Series. Unlike the low-power flavor of Fusion accerlated processing units already on the market, these 32-nanometer APUs were designed with desktops and mainstream laptops in mind, taking direct aim at Intel's Core 2011 processors with the promise of superior processing and discrete-level graphics, and 10-plus hours of battery life.

Aside from the assorted performance and battery life claims the company is making (much more on that in a moment), what this means is that as far as laptops go, AMD is completely stepping away from the standalone-CPU-plus-GPU paradigm. But, the company will still make dedicated Radeon cards, which can be coupled with an APU for a 75 percent boost in graphics performance -- a setup AMD is calling "Dual Graphics." All told, these chips measure just 228 square millimeters. To put this in context, check out the gallery of hands-on shots below, featuring the A-series next to a standalone CPU, discrete graphics card, and, for the sake of scale, the kind of low-power Fusion chip introduced back at CES.

Continue reading via Engadget

11 HP laptops get the Fusion Llano treatment

AMD says their Fusion Accelerated Processing Unit is "Sandy Bridge done right," which combines a CPU and discrete ATI graphics on the same die, allowing more efficient processing, increased battery life and improved graphics performance. Now it's in 11 new HP laptops.

Six of HP's consumer laptops (the dv4, dv6, dv7, g4, g6 and g7) and five of their enterprise notebooks (ProBook 4535s, 4435s, 4436s, 6465b and 6565b) now have the new processor, which promises 6-8 hours of real-life battery usage, and enhanced graphical superpowers when it comes to things like HD flash video and games. The dv series in particular claims a 2x leap in graphics performance compared to previous models.

Continue reading via Gizmodo

Desktop AMD Llano A8-3800 Series APU pictured

Chip-maker AMD is putting considerable store in the qualities of its upcoming Llano Accelerated Processing Unit (APU). In case you've been living under a large rock, Llano is the codename for AMD's mainstream notebook and desktop chips for the second half of 2011. Llano processors are important because they bring together (up-to) a quad-core CPU and a DX11 Radeon graphics core on to one piece of 32nn-transistor silicon.

It's no secret that AMD is launching a range of mobile chips first, to go up against Intel's second-generation Core processors, and we'll doubtless see Llano laptops invading the retail market in the next two months.

But little is being talked about the desktop variant. Piecing together what we know from rumour and snatched conversations at the industry trade show COMPUTEX, desktop Llano will feature significantly higher speeds than its mobile counterpart, though the underlying architecture is said to be identical.

Continue reading via Hexus.net

AMD Fusion Llano desktop APUs priced. Range from $70 to $170

AMD A-Series Accelerated Processing Units Due in 2011
Model	A8- 3550P	A8- 3550	A6- 3450P	A6- 3450	A4- 3350	E2- 3250
Cores	Husky	Husky	Husky	Husky	Husky	Husky
Core Count	4	4	4	4	2	2
Stream Core Count	400	400	320	320	160	160
Clock-Speed	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
GPU Clock-Speed	594 MHz	594 MHz	443 MHz	443	594 MHz	443 MHz
Radeon Brand	HD 6550	HD 6550	HD 6530	HD 6530	HD 6410	HD 6370
Cache	4MB	4MB	4MB	4MB	2MB	1MB
Memory	DDR3, 1866 MHz	DDR3, 1866 MHz	DDR3, 1866 MHz	DDR3, 1866 MHz	DDR3, 1866 MHz	DDR3, 1600 MHz
Process Technology	32nm	32nm	32nm	32nm	32nm	32nm
TDP	100W	65W	100W	65W	65W	65W
Turbo Core	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
Packaging	FM1	FM1	FM1	FM1	FM1	FM1
Launch	Q3 2011	Q3 2011	Q3 2011	Q3 2011	Q3 2011	Q3 2011
Price	$170	$150	$130	$110	$80	$70

Desktop versions of code-named Llano accelerated processing units (APUs) by Advanced Micro Devices are likely to be rather inexpensive, which may make them popular among PC builders as well as end-users and will allow AMD to increase its market share. According to a media report, the new desktop chips will cost starting from $70.

As reported previously, AMD A-series desktop APUs will have either four K10.5+/Husky x86 cores as well as Radeon HD 6000-class "BeaverCreek" (320 or 400 stream processors) graphics core or two x86 cores and "WinterPark" (160 stream processors) integrated graphics engine. The chips will support dual-channel DDR3 memory controllers, up to 4MB of cache, select processors may also feature AMD Turbo Core dynamic acceleration technology as well as a special multi-GPU graphics support.

Based on documents previously seen by X-bit labs, AMD A8- and A6-series APUs will compete against Intel Core i3-2100-series microprocessors, whereas the A4- and E2-series chips will rival Pentium and Celeron solutions.

via Xbit Labs

MSI building a Fusion tablet. June 1st 2011 launch date?

Dirk Meyer, AMD's former CEO often spoke about his lack of faith in believing that netbooks and tablets have a strong future. With his coup de grace departure in January 2011, AMD opened up to new technologies and now MSI is coming to the marketwith a $599 tablet powered by AMD's Fusion APU.

On CeBIT 2011, MSI released official details on WindPad 110W, a 10.1" tablet powered by AMD Fusion C-50 APU, combined with 2GB of DDR3 memory and a 32GB SSD. Tablet also comes with a good expansion list; an SD slot for up to 128GB of additional storage (SDHC Compliant slot), USB 2.0, mini-HDMI 1.3a as well as wireless connections - 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 3.0.

Do note that some websites incorrectly listed the processor as Fusion E-350,  i.e. an 18 Watt TDP "Zacate" silicon - 1.6GHz Dual-core Bobcat with Radeon HD  6310. However, according to MSI the WindPad 110W tablet is using a 9 Watt  Ontario silicon - 1GHz dual-core Bobcat with Radeon HD 6250. Both CPU and GPU  cores are identical in hardware capabilities and die size, the only difference  being the clocks and of course, power consumption.

Continue reading via BSN

VIA QuadCore vs AMD Fusion E-350

We'll take these numbers with a large helping of salt, but some VIA produced benchmark figures of its new QuadCore processor have appeared on a Japanese website. We're not sure why these numbers didn't show up until now, as we haven't seen them posted elsewhere. VIA put it's 1.2GHz+ CPU up against AMD's 1.6GHz E-350 and we'll let you guess who came out on top.

Both systems were kitted out with 2GB of 1066MHz DDR3 memory, although not much else seems to have been revealed about the system configuration apart from the OS of choice being Windows 7 and that the screen resolution was 1280x1024. Both systems also used integrated graphics, in VIA's case it was the Chrome9HD and for AMD the Radeon HD 6310 IGP.

The VIA QuadCore does have one unfair advantage here, it has two additional CPU cores, albeit at a lower speed. As such the QuadCore scored 4426 points over 2215 points in CineBench R10 making VIA claim a 100 percent performance victory. Moving on to SYSMark 2007 that lead is a mere five percent as the QuadCore scored 60 points compared to 57 for the E-350.

via VR-Zone

ECS unveils CrossFire-enabled Fusion Llano desktop motherboards

EliteGroup Computer Systems (ECS) this week officially unveiled details about its mainboards designed for AMD A-series "Fusion Llano" accelerated processing units (APUs). In addition, the first picture of a high-end ECS motherboard for A-series chips emerged on the Internet.

ECS, one of the world's largest maker of motherboards, plans to release three A75F-series mainboards with FM1 socket for AMD code-named Llano A-series APUs. All three mainboards will be based on the AMD Hudson D3 (A75) Fusion controller hub (FCH), will support dual-channel DDR3 memory, PCI Express 2.0, Serial ATA-600, USB 3.0, high-definition audion and other advantages.

One of the mainboards - A75F-A "Black Deluxe - will be in ATX form-factor and will thus be aimed at more advanced end-users. For example, ECS A75F-A has passed 50°C burn test, presenting high quality and durability. In addition, based on the image of the mainboard that emerged on the Internet, the platform supports multi-GPU ATI CrossFireX technology which allows to install several discrete graphics cards, a feature typically found on high-end multimedia systems.

Continue reading via Xbit Labs

Details about AMD A-Series "Llano" APUs leaked

The APU has a TDP of 45W, which is comparable with AMD's current top end CPU, but below Intel's flagship 55W Core i7 Extreme. Considering the Phenom II X940 BE, AMD's current flagship, is clocked at 2.4 GHz, one may wonder how optimizations and a 32nm shrink resulted in a sharp 500 MHz downclock. If at all, the opposite would make more sense. The catch is that the A8 APU integrates a full fledged GPU, and 45W is actually a very power efficient result for a quad core CPU and a 400SP GPU at full load. 

Of course, AMD will introduce Turbo Core 2 with Llano, and we may see the CPU part boosting to as high as 2.6 GHz if the GPU is idling. 

One of the major bottlenecks identified for the Fusion GPU has always been the memory. A derivative of the HD 5500 series, the A8-3530MX is powered by 1600 MHz DDR3 which is higher than Intel's 1333 MHz support. Still, this is a fraction of the 3600 MHz GDDR5 memory in the HD 5570. The sharp difference in performance between the HD 5570 GDDR3 edition and the GDDR5 edition suggests why upping the memory clocks is important for the Llano APU. As part of the Sabine platform, the A8 APU will occupy the FS1 socket, paired up with the A70M chipset. 

Continue reading via VR-Zone

AMD Bulldozer, Fusion Llano and 900 Series chipsets release schedules leaked

The good people of Donanimhaber have caught a sneak peek of AMD’s launch plans for the summer of 2011 and the future looks promising.

Starting at Computex, AMD will introduce 9-series chipsets, including Zambezi FX chipsets and a new chipset, of Fusion Controller Hub for upcoming APUs. AMD will follow up the chipset launch at E3, where it will show off new AM3+ motherboards.

As for the mainstream stuff, Llano and Sabine are scheduled to launch on June 12 in Asia, while the launch date for the rest of the globe is June 14.
So, from Taipei, through Los Angeles to Seattle, we will see quite a few significant launch events and we guess the AMD crew will still have plenty of sunny days left to take a well deserved holiday before the back to school shopping spree starts.

via Fudzilla

source DonanimHaber

AMD Fusion Llano APU will have an integrated Radeon HD 6550

AMDs upcoming Llano line of accelerated processing units (APUs), to compete with Intel's Sandy Bridge LGA1155 processors, is said to embed what AMD will refer to as the Radeon HD 6550 graphics core. Unlike Sandy Bridge where a processor die is simply fused with a integrated graphics northbridge onto a single die, Llano will see the GPU part of the silicon integrated with the rest of the APU in many other levels, including assisting the x86 cores with serial processing loads.

Continue reading via TechPowerUp

AMD and ARM looking to join forces?

AMD will be holding its first software developers conference, the AMD Fusion Developer Summit, from June 13 to 16.

Consider it to be AMD's version of a software IDF, even if AMD says that the conference will be all about content and won't have the marketing slant of IDF and there will not be any celebrity appearances, which would mean that AMD will not be competing with Intel over Will.i.am. The purpose of the event is, we were told, to educate developers how to take advantage of AMD's hardware, which would be primarily its APUs. However, AMD also said that it would be releasing some information about its next-gen GPUs and how they can interact with software. The really interesting part of this conference is the fact that AMD sends out announcements highlight one of the big keynote speakers, ARM's Jem Davies. The press release as well as press calls make sure that the fact that ARM will be at this event does not go unnoticed.

Read the rest of the article via Toms Hardware

AMD recently reported their financial income - No losses again

AMD 's Future is indeed Fusion. Their older company slogan turns really true looking at their Q1-2011 Financial Report:

-  Revenue $1.61 billion

- That is a little more compared to last year, but they didn't make any loss.

- The income resulted from the change of contract they had with GlobalFoundries

- GloFos had to pay back about $492M, thus the overall win was $510M so AMD is on a good track of recovery.

According to the current interim CEO, the key reason of success was the new Fusion APUs, and next quarters 2nd gen versions, for notebooks and select netbooks.

Read the full AMD Financial Report here

AMDs Fusion Ontario (C-Series) APUs to get TurboCore?

AMD is giving its C-series Fusion APUs for netbooks and embedded systems a feature update with its upcoming model, the C-60. The AMD C-60 will have the same default clock speed as the C-50, at 1.00 GHz, but features the AMD TurboCore technology, which can up clock speed to 1.3 GHz when the two cores are loaded. The embedded Radeon GPU also features GPU TurboCore, which boosts engine speed from 276 MHz to 400 MHz. The new dual-core C-60 does all this, while limiting itself to the 9W TDP. AMD will release the new C-60 APU in Q3, 2011.

via TechPowerUp
source Macles

AMD refreshes the VISION brand (and stickers) to accomodate Fusion

In a bid to attract more attention to its new Fusion accelerated processing units (APUs) that will power mainstream desktops and notebooks due in mid-2011, Advanced Micro Devices plans to change the outlook of its "AMD Vision" stickers as well as slightly change the brand itself.

The updated AMD Vision logotype of the new product family will look much less strict from visual point of view and may even somewhat resemble visual effects at discotheques back in the eighties when on the paper, according to a document seen by X-bit labs. But in reality it should rather grab attention thanks to the holographic substrate, red colour, brighter gradients, added motion and modern fonts.

Continue reading the rest of the article by following the source link below, see more brand images after the break.

via Xbit Labs

AMD Fusion socket FM1 pictured

 Here are some of the first pictures of AMD's new socket FM1. FM1 will be the platform for AMD's upcoming "Llano" A-Series accelerated processing units (APUs), in the desktop and notebook platforms. With it, AMD will compete with Intels LGA1155/LGA1156 processors in consumer and business desktop markets that simply rely on the processor's embedded graphics. The Llano APU integrates a quad-core x86-64 processor with a DirectX 11 compliant AMD Radeon HD 6000 series graphics core (with 400+ stream processors, last we heard); a dual-channel DDR3 memory controller, and a PCI-Express 2.0 hub. FM1 is a pin-grid array, but its exact pin count isn't known. Purely by the looks of it, FM1 package looks smaller than AM3+. Clearly the version of CPU-Z used in the screenshot doesn't fully support the APU, but it does reveal some information. It's reading the quad-core chip as four single core processors with 1 MB L2 cache each. The processor is clocked at 2.4 GHz. Llano APUs are expected to make landfall in May/June.

See more images after the break.


via TechPowerUp

AMD to Goliath: Bring it on!

AMD has shrugged off the threat of Intel's latest Sandy Bridge architecture, saying that it's still excited about competing with Intel.

The company's VP of worldwide channel marketing, David Kenyon, referred to AMD's arch rival as 'Goliath' in a light-hearted blog. According to Kenyon, the battle between the two companies, which has lasted for decades, has always benefited consumers the most.

In fact, Kenyon argues that AMD has forced Intel to pick up the pace in a number of areas. 'Without AMD, how fast would Intel have gone on to introduce new products?' he asks. 'Where would prices be? I realized something important: I’m excited about competing with Goliath. I’ve been doing it for so long – in different industries and markets – it’s something I’ve come to truly enjoy.'

Continue reading the rest of the article by following the source link below.

via Bit-Tech