Desktop Llano uses Socket FM1, succeeds Socket AM3

[Matthew DeCarlo]

According to a report by Fudzilla, socket AM3's days are numbered. The year and a half old desktop platform will supposedly be replaced by a new socket called FM1 by the time early 2011 rolls around. Socket FM1 will launch alongside AMD's upcoming Lynx-based Llano APU – the 32nm CPU + GPU Fusion project we've heard about for the last few years.

Llano will be a dual or quad-core part with support for DDR3 1600MHz memory, and it'll have a DirectX 11 graphics chip built-in. Fudzilla believes the GPU will be from the Radeon HD 5000 generation, and should be on par with the HD 5350 – basically toward the lower end of discrete graphics performance. That said, it should be quicker than AMD's 880G IGP.

Socket FM1 will be paired with the "Hudson" series of chipsets, some of which will support USB 3.0 as well as SATA 6Gb/s, but most will only support USB 2.0 outright. Llano is expected to enter mass production toward the end of this year, so a CES 2011 launch seems plausible. At the very least, you can expect some major hype.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/39481-desktop-llano-uses-socket-fm1-succeeds-socket-am3.html

 

[princeton]

This is a joke right? By 2011? By then intel will have sandy bridge and will be working on 22nm cpu's. AMD. Step the **** up.

"most will only support USB 2.0" AMD april first was months ago. Please tell me it's just a late april 1st prank.

 

[KG363]

I'm happy I didn't buy AM3

But AMD does need to work on shrinking their die a bit more

 

[Guest]

This does not necessarily mean that bulldozer will use the FM1 socket, it may use AMD3+ (ie like AMD2 is to AMD2+). Llano is a low end/mainstream product, so I hardly think its comparable to intel's next gen products.

 

[princeton]

Guest said:
This does not necessarily mean that bulldozer will use the FM1 socket, it may use AMD3+ (ie like AMD2 is to AMD2+). Llano is a low end/mainstream product, so I hardly think its comparable to intel's next gen products.

It doesn't sound comparable to anything more than a core 2 duo. And that's more than last gen.

 

[Guest]

Wow, whoever wrote this article certainly CAN'T interpret much. Lets see, AM3 in the MAINSTREAM will be replaced by FM1, while AM3 in the high-end will be replaced by AM3+, while still maintaining backwards compatibility with AM3 motherboards, and vise-versa.

 

[Vrmithrax]

princeton said:
It doesn't sound comparable to anything more than a core 2 duo. And that's more than last gen.

I think there is a bit of confusion on the whole situation... From everything I've seen regarding the switch, the FM1 will be used for the APU (integrated CPU/GPU) which is aimed at light nimble platforms - more of a mainstream/compact/mobile target. I believe the newer socket is a necessary evil due to the combined operations and changes in some basic logic paths and chip protocols.

There is really no comparison to a core 2 duo, since the Llano product has an integrated DirectX 11 processor. And yes, many of the boards will shoot at USB 2.0, with the more elite boards using 3.0. But really, can you yell at AMD about that too much when Intel is snubbing 3.0 on their chipsets as well? At least AMD is working with chipsets that will give you the option, and they are probably doing that to let the consumers make the call on 2.0 vs 3.0 - money talks.

I don't see AM3 being dead any time soon. Particularly with AM3+ swooping in. There was a ton of "AM2 is dead" talk when AM3 hit, and you still see a ton of new AM2+/AM3 products out there.

 

[Guest]

AMD has a great line-up.

The more the better.

 

[Guest]

"most will only support USB 2.0" AMD april first was months ago. Please tell me it's just a late april 1st prank.

You don't need USB 3.0 on a netbook (Llano is designed for low energy needs). And I don't need USB 3.0 on a desktop. Who needs it anyway, when USB 2.0 isn't fully used on most on the products? Think realistic, not characteristic.

 

[peas]

"AM3's days are numbered"

LOL @ sensationalist journalism. All sockets' days are numbered, even before they're released. FM1 won't last forever either.

That said, I don't think AM3 will go away anytime soon. The reason for FM1's existence is the integrated CPU + GPU. They need the extra pins to carry video signals. Not everyone will want to pay for CPU+GPU in a single chip, especially the high performance segment which always use discrete graphics.

Good to see AMD is still alive and kicking.