AMD Fanboy

Triple Core Llano CPU A6-3500 Series

2011-07-18T13:00:00.000-07:00

Even though Advanced Micro Devices' code-named Llano A-series accelerated processing units were supposed to contain two or four x86 cores only, AMD is now working on a version of Llano chips with three x86 processing engines. The new AMD A6-3500 chips will help AMD to expand its APU offer as well as get rid of chips with one faulty x86 core.

The first triple-core AMD A6-3500 accelerated processing unit will sport 2.1GHz (2.40GHz Turbo Core) clock-speed, 3MB L2 cache, Radeon HD 6530D graphics core with 320 stream processors clocked at 443MHz and will feature dual-channel DDR3 memory controller, according to a report from Zol.com.cn, which contains a picture of the chip as well as screenshots from CPU-Z app that contains specifications.

The new triple-core APUs will be essentially cut-down versions of quad-core chips and therefore will be drop-in compatible with FM1 platforms as well as will be made using 32nm silicon-on-insulator process technology.

The addition of triple-core accelerated processing units into the A-series lineup will hardly make a substantial addition to AMD's revenue or will tangibly boost popularity of the family. Still, such chips will let AMD to expand the amount of offering sand the number of price-points as well as will allow it to get rid of chips that contain a faulty x86 core.

Source : www.xbitlabs.com

AMD FX-Series Zambezi Processors

2011-07-18T07:00:00.000-07:00

The delay of Advanced Micro Devices' highly-anticipated FX-series microprocessors by almost three months has clearly impacted not only AMD's plans and roadmap, but also the specs of the code-named Zambezi central processing units (CPUs). Based on the latest unofficial information, AMD tailored specifications of the upcoming chips so to clearly outperform competing offerings.

A new list of AMD FX "Zambezi" specifications on a slide that looks similar to those from AMD roadmaps has been published by Donanim Haber web-site. Presumable specifications imply that AMD FX B2 stepping can indeed achieve higher clock-speeds than previously available B0 and B1 with 95W or 125W thermal design power. Among other things, AMD also tweaked the Turbo Core 2.0 technology and now the "boosters" can lift base frequency by either 200MHz, 600MHz or even 900MHz depending on the model.

Previously it was believed that AMD's Turbo Core 2.0 technology of Bulldozer chips can increase clock-speed by [up to] 500MHz [depending on the workload] for all eight, six or four cores and by [up to] 1000MHz when only half of the cores are used. If the new specifications are correct, them AMD decided to vary "boosted" frequency depending on the model.

Although the variable clock-speed boost clearly makes CPU binning process more complex, it allows AMD to offer better performance where it is needed most and maximize the yield rate for the lower-end parts.

AMD did not comment on the news-story.

Budget gaming PC for under $550 from ZDNet

2011-07-18T03:31:00.000-07:00

Dnet writes about Budget gaming PC for under $550. So let’s take a look at what what your bucks can buy!

Processor

Let’s start with the heart of the PC and start with the processor. I used to recommend that gamers spend money on a fast dual-core CPU rather than invest in a quad-core piece because games rarely leveraged more than a core or two. Things have changed, so it’s time to change the advice and recommend that gamers go for a quad-core piece of silicon.

The CPU I’ve chosen for this project - AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition. Here you have a Socket AM3 125W TDP, quad-core, 3.2GHz part with 4 x 512KB L2 cache, 6MB L3 cache. Being a Black Edition it means that it has an unlocked multiplier, so if you’re an overclocker you’ll be able to squeeze more from the part.

Excellent component, excellent price.
Price: $115

Motherboard
With the CPU chosen, it’s not time to choose the motherboard.

What we now want is a cheap, robust, fully-featured motherboard, and while there are quite a number of possible candidates, I’ve gone for the ASUS M4A88T-M LE. Along with all the stuff you expect on a motherboard (USB, Gigabit LAN, audio ports …), you also get cool features like HDMI, a CPU ‘Turbo Button’ and an onboard Radeon HD 4250 GPU.

Given that this motherboard comes kitted with a Radeon HD 4250 GPU, we could save cash and not fit a discrete GPU, but since this is a gaming rig that would be cutting one corner too many!

Good, solid motherboard.

Price: $80

RAM
Since this is a gaming rig, we need a lot of RAM, and we want that RAM to be fast and we want that RAM to be stable.

The RAM I’ve chosen to go for here is 8GB of G.SKILL Ripjaws Series DDR3 1600.

Fast, stable, and sexy.

Price: $85

Graphics cards
This is a gaming PC, so we need a decent graphics card. That said, since this is a budget system we can’t just spring for a top-end AMD Radeon HD 6000 or NVIDIA GTX 500 card. We want something that is in the sub $100 mark.

For this build I’ve gone for the SAPPHIRE 100289-2L Radeon HD 5670 that comes with 1GB of DDR5 RAM fitted. Not the most awesome card out there, but it’s still good enough to keep up with the latest games out there.

Price: $90

Power Supply Unit (PSU)
This sort of system needs a robust, reliable PSU but you don’t need a behemoth 1000W+ to power this PC. A good sub 500W PSU is more than adequate.

I’ve picked the Thermaltake TR2 W0070RUC 430W. This is all the PSU that you need for this PC, and it comes with a decent price tag.

Price: $45

Hard drive
Storage. We want lots of storage, and we want it fast. If this wasn’t a budget system than I’d suggest a Solid-State Drive (SSD), but we’re working on a budget here.

I’ve gone for my favorite drive from my favorite vendor - The 1TB Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX. This is a super drive that offers bags of high-performance storage (thanks in part of the 7,200RPM spindles and 64MB of cache).

Price: $90

Optical drive
Finally, an optical drive. Nothing much to say about this. Go for the ASUS DRW-24B1ST DVD burner. It does the job.

Price: $20

Barebones price: $525

Additional components
A couple of additions you might be in the market for (unless you already have them):

PC chassis - There are so many to choose from that I’m not going to bother picking one. Since this is a budget system I personally wouldn’t spend more than about $50 on a case, but you’re free to do whatever you want.
Operating system - Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit OEM - #99.

CyberPower PC Debuts AMD APU Technology

2011-07-17T19:00:00.000-07:00

CyberPower Inc. www.cyberpowerpc.com a manufacturer of custom gaming PCs, today announced a series of desktop gaming systems based on AMD’s all new A-Series Desktop Platform with Accelerated Processing Units (APUs), which integrate the CPU, GPU and memory controller in one die to offer low power consumption and high performance at low cost.

With its A-Series line of APUs, AMD has fired the latest volley in the CPU/GPU wars by creating a new segment of processors that balance CPU and GPU performance with lower power consumption and value, while offering maximum multimedia, video and gaming performance.

CyberPower will feature the new AMD A-Series APUs in its Gamer Ultra series of desktop gaming PCs with prices starting at $699.

CyberPower customers can configure their Gamer Ultra system with a choice of an AMD Socket FM1 A-Series A4 dual-core CPU with Radeon HD 65XX HD Graphics, or A6 and A8 quad-core CPUs, which have twice the cache and more powerful Radeon 66XX HD graphics.

Motherboard options in the Gamer Ultra include the ASUS F1A75-V PRO or F1A75-M PRO. Both motherboards feature an FM1 socket, AMD’s new A75 FCH chipset that supports AMD’s new high performance A & E2- series Accelerated Processors with up to 4 cores, plus integrated AMD Radeon HD 6000-plus series graphics for a truly immersive computing experience. Support is also included for Microsoft DirectX 11 capabilities, native multi-monitor support, HD graphic support as well as AMD Turbo Core and AMD VISION Engine graphics technology to help all digital content like videos, games and photos look its best.

When combined with additional standard features such as four DDR3 memory sockets, three PCI Express x16 slots, seven SATA-600 ports, native USB 3.0 ports, and 7.1 channel audio, the CyberPower Gamer Ultra series has all the horsepower and features to tackle anything.

All CyberPower systems based on the A-series platform can be easily customized with a number of hard drive and/or SSD, optical drive, memory, CyberPower Advanced Hydro Liquid Cooling, and other peripheral or component options at the company website. All systems will be able to drive the industry’s largest and highest resolution flat-panel displays.

Additionally, CyberPower loads every system with Microsoft Windows 7 64-bit Operating System with Service Pack 1 to enhance your gaming and multimedia experience and includes an industry-best-3-year limited warranty and free lifetime phone support.

AMD 990FX Motherboard from ASRock

2011-07-17T10:29:00.000-07:00

ASRock and Fatal1ty teamed up to offer a gaming motherboard based on AMD's new 990FX chipset.

Friday ASRock said that it teamed up with Johnathan 'Fatal1ty' Wendel to create the first AMD-based gaming motherboard, the Fatal1ty 990FX Professional, featuring support for the AM3+ socket, 8-core CPUs and AMD's 990FX chipset. The board also sports premium gold caps and enables AMD Quad CrossFireX, 3-Way CrossFireX and CrossFireX as well as Nvidia Quad SLI and SLI.

"I wanted a motherboard for AMD CPUs with the same successful features as our award winning, Intel based Fatal1ty P67 Professional" Wendel said. "In addition, ASRock has come up with some new technologies that excited me, such as the XFast LAN which can reduce the latency of on-line games, and allows gamers to play at their highest level and Frag the competition!"

According to ASRock, the premium board uses a Digital PWM design that delivers Vcore voltage to the processor more efficiently than standard motherboards. Coupled with V12+2 phase power, users are assured the most stable overclocking possible. The board also allows gamers to customize their mouse polling rate thanks to the Fatal1ty Mouse Port, offering an adjustable range between 125 Hz and 1000 Hz.

"One of the great aspects of the ASRock - Fatal1ty relationship, is that Johnathan is always pushing for new gaming features, giving our engineers suggestions that help them develop applications like XFast LAN, F-Stream and the Fatal1ty Mouse port," said James Lee, VP of ASRock Sales and Marketing. "The 990FX is the fourth board in our line of Fatal1ty gaming motherboards, so we now offer a full range of products for the serious gamers of the world."

Other highlighted features of the new AMD gaming mobo include:

100-percent Japan-made high-quality Conductive Polymer Capacitors
Supports Dual Channel DDR3 2100(OC)
Dual PCIE GLAN with Teaming function
Dr. Debug, Smart Switch Design: Power/Reset/Clear CMOS Switch with LED
Supports Fatal1ty XFast USB, XFast LAN technologies, Graphical UEFI
Supports Fatal1ty F-Stream, On/Off Play Technology, Turbo UCC
7.1 CH HD Audio with Content Protection (Realtek ALC892 Audio Codec), Supports THX TruStudio

The motherboard comes packed with a free bundle including one 3.5mm Audio Cable, one Front USB 3.0 Panel and a trial version of CyberLink MediaEspresso 6.5. Pricing and availability wasn't provided although the company said it wouldn't have an "advanced price" to match the advanced features. Stay tuned for more.

Source : http://www.tomshardware.com/news/Fatal1ty-AM3-CrossfireX-990FX-johnathan-Wendel,13090.html