Report: Initial AMD A-Series desktop lineup detailed

[Jos]

We already have a good idea of what the first wave of AMD's FX-series processors is going to look like thanks to a handful of recent leaks. Now, X-bit labs has apparently gotten hold of the preliminary details for AMD's performance-mainstream A-series (codenamed "Llano") complete with model numbers and specifications.

According to the report the initial lineup will debut in July with five A-series models. The A8-3550P and A8-3550 (without the P) are both quad-core parts in standard and lower voltage variants -- 100W and 65W TDP, respectively. The A6 series follows a similar pattern with the A6-3450P and A6-3450, while the dual-core A4-3350 will be available in a single 65W TDP variant. These chips will be joined later in the third quarter by a lower-end 65W dual-core, while a minor refresh in Q4 2011 will add 5 more APUs, presumably bringing a minor speed bump.

The A8 models represent the fully unlocked Llano APU with 4 "Husky" x86 cores and a "BeaverCreek" graphics core -- branded Radeon HD 6550 -- featuring 400 stream processors clocked at 594MHz. Each x86 core contains 1MB L2 cache for a total of 4MB, and like Propus, Llano completely eliminates L3 cache.

The A6 models are essentially the same on the CPU side but the graphics core -- branded Radeon HD 6530 -- brings the stream processor count down to 320 and core clock to 443MHz. And lastly, dual-core A4 processors are limited to 2MB L2 cache and feature the "WinterPark" (160 stream processors) integrated graphics engine as the Radeon HD 6410.

The chips will support dual-channel DDR3 1866MHz memory and may also feature AMD Turbo Core dynamic acceleration technology as well as multi-GPU graphics support. So far those details aren't available, though, and unfortunately neither are any specifics regarding clock speeds or price. If the latest rumors are correct, we can expect the A-series to go against Intel's Sandy Bridge-based Core i3s in mainstream $600 - $700 systems.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/42840-report-initial-amd-a-series-desktop-lineup-detailed.html

 

[Kibaruk]

This leaves things even more open than it clarifies D:

Really good integrated graphics, I remember 4 years ago buying a video card for almost $150 with a third of that power and now it comes with the CPU.

 

[bakape]

Wonder when we'll start getting leaks on the 2nd gen APUs. Krishna, I'm waiting!

 

[Cueto_99]

I don't like the new naming configuration... More numbers = more confusing... And I don't even see a coherence between the CPU and it's name... Well, at least the box art does look cool!

 

[Mirob]

Eight cores to compete with four?

 

[edison5do]

Bad Freaking name Scheme!! Damm Can`t they do ALL RIGHT for once!!. AMD always **** things up in some way!

 

[Kibaruk]

I believe they are going the right direction.

Its like... when facebook changed its appearance, everyone gives crap about everything, then spam groups of "join here if you dont like new facebook" and in the end... they all love it (Most of them).

Its just a matter of getting used to a new naming scheme and I repeat, I believe they are going the right direction, they first give the series number AXX then they give the generation YY/ZZ and the model ending with the P for low power usage. Anyone who has read a bit about AMD video cards can adjust pretty easily to this now.

 

[mosu]

The new chips presented will attract with APU capabilities, not with processing power.It seems they are K10.5 models produced with SOI technology and not the real new generation produced on 28nm lowK tech, so I'll expect them to be cheap compared to Sandy Bridge

 

[edison5do]

kibaruk said:
I believe they are going the right direction.

Its like... when facebook changed its appearance, everyone gives crap about everything, then spam groups of "join here if you dont like new facebook" and in the end... they all love it (Most of them).

Its just a matter of getting used to a new naming scheme and I repeat, I believe they are going the right direction, they first give the series number AXX then they give the generation YY/ZZ and the model ending with the P for low power usage. Anyone who has read a bit about AMD video cards can adjust pretty easily to this now.

Yeahh... but and the people who dont read about it? that is (Presumably) more of the 50% of their sharing market.

 

[Kibaruk]

Those ones, still dont know what difference has the Athlon II x2 - x3 - x4 and/or Phenom II, from even the first parts.

People who never read and dont care about reading, will always buy something already packaged or something a friend recomended them.

 

[Guest]

the most important metrics to consider are price/performance ratios.

it matters not how many cores, what architecture, what configuration, etc is involved. all that really matters is what performance you get for a given price.

this is why as prices change, such as price-cuts over time, the details of what the chip has are irrelevant.

it's not that it "takes 8 cores to compete with 4", the cores aren't even the same, they have many differences, and there pros and cons of each architecture. that's why you need to research and learn what's best for YOUR needs.

AMD tried years ago to combat INTEL's "two dual-cores stuck together" quad-cores by saying that AMD would make "TRUE quad-cores" on the same die. well, it didn't matter, because all that matters is the price of any given performance. INTEL had great "fake" quad-cores and made plenty of money offering us great chips long before AMD was able to offer a REAL quad-core that could match INTEL's.

what matters is what you get out of it and how much it will cost you.

 

[Guest]

This appears to be mainstream for corporate refresh; not exotic and good integrated graphics; hope the MOBO manufacturers make better boards for this CPU.
Personally, using a Phenom II blac at 3.2 Gig and have it fully RAM'd with DDR3, so I'll wait until I can see what MOBOs are out.

 

[mosu]

A quick question for AMD: Is there a "mobile Llano"?

 

[Kibaruk]

I'm not quite sure but there is a video AMD released comparing an amd mobile proc with intel's core i something, search here.

 

[Kibaruk]

AMD: Llano is better at multi-tasking than Sandy Bridge
https://www.techspot.com/news/42637-amd-llano-is-better-at-multi-tasking-than-sandy-bridge.html

 

[bakape]

A quick question for AMD: Is there a "mobile Llano"?

Yes, it's called Zacate. Or you can go search up Ontario, if you want netbook level chips.