AMD launches APU Era

LAS VEGAS, NV, Jan 04, 2011 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX). Today at the Consumer Electronics Show, AMD (NYSE: AMD) launched a new class of accelerated processor that combines more compute capabilities than any processor in the history of computing. The AMD Fusion Family of Accelerated Processing Units (APUs) incorporate — in a single die design — multi-core CPU (x86) technology, a powerful DirectX(R) 11-capable discrete-level graphics and parallel processing engine, a dedicated high-definition video acceleration block, and a high-speed bus that speeds data across the differing types of processor cores within the design. New generations of desktop, notebook and HD netbooks are now available based on AMD Fusion APUs at affordable price points. Tablets and embedded designs based on AMD Fusion APUs are expected to be available later in Q1 2011. The new range of product features include stutter-free HD video playback, breakthroughs in computational horsepower to handle the most demanding applications,(2) DirectX 11-capable graphics and all-day battery life.(1)

AMD expects leading manufacturers Acer, Asus, Dell, Fujitsu, HP, Lenovo, MSI, Samsung, Sony and Toshiba to announce plans to deliver AMD Fusion APU-based systems at very compelling value and mainstream price points.

As Rick Bergman, senior vice president and general manager, AMD Products Group, said:

We believe that AMD Fusion processors are, quite simply, the greatest advancement in processing since the introduction of the x86 architecture more than forty years ago. In one major step, we enable users to experience HD everywhere as well as personal supercomputing capabilities in notebooks that can deliver all-day battery life.(i) It’s a new category, a new approach, and opens up exciting new experiences for consumers.

HD 2.0 Everywhere High definition (HD) content is ubiquitous today. From YouTube videos to DirectX 11 games to Blu-ray, the world is tapping into various ways to enjoy this content with the computer serving as the hub. And thanks to the VISION Engine from AMD, a set of capabilities unique to all AMD Fusion APU-powered PCs, the visual side of computing never looked more vivid and realistic. The VISION Engine is an unmatched combination of:

• DirectX 11-capable graphics
• Massive parallel processing to speed application performance(3)
• The UVD3 video acceleration block found in the new AMD Radeon(TM) HD 6800 Series GPUs
• Unique graphics driver capabilities updated on a monthly basis to continuously improve visual performance

Selecting a PC equipped with the VISION Engine and software from AMD partners means Internet browsing is a faster, application-like experience; 1080p HD video playback is gorgeous, smooth and quiet; standard definition video looks high-definition; 2D content can be converted into stereoscopic 3D; even the most graphics-intensive websites load quickly; manipulating HD content is fast and easy; and 3D gaming at HD resolutions is fast and life-like.(4)

Personal Supercomputing Much of a computing experience is linked to software and, until now, software developers have been held back by the independent nature in which CPUs and GPUs process information. However, AMD Fusion APUs remove this obstacle and allow developers to take full advantage of the parallel processing power of a GPU — more than 500 GFLOPs for the upcoming A-Series “Llano” APU(5) — thus bringing supercomputer-like performance to every day computing tasks. More applications can run simultaneously and they can do so faster than previous designs in the same class.(2)

AMD AllDay(TM) Power Additionally, AMD Fusion technology enables all-day battery life — 10 hours or more.(1) The new power-saving features present in the single-chip design greatly extend the time between plug-ins, even when enjoying HD content.

Out power and Outperform: E-Series, C-Series and A-Series APUs The 2011 low power platform (formerly codenamed “Brazos”) enhances the everyday computing experience and is available beginning today in two APU variations: E-Series and C-Series. These APUs feature the new x86 CPU core codenamed “Bobcat.” “Bobcat” is AMD’s first new x86 core since 2003 and was designed from the ground up to deliver stellar mobile performance.

The 2011 mainstream platform is primarily intended for performance and mainstream notebooks and mainstream desktops. It will feature the 32nm die A-Series “Llano” APU, which includes up to four x86 cores and a DirectX 11-capable discrete-level GPU, and is scheduled to ship in the first half of 2011 and appear in products mid-year.

Footnotes:

1. In testing conducted by AMD performance labs, the 2011 Low Power platform reference design “Zacate” E-350 demonstrated up to 641 minutes or 10.68 hours “all-day” battery life while idle, and up to 249 minutes or 4.15 hours as an “active” metric using 3DMark ’06. The reference design consisted of a AMD Dual-Core Processor E-350, 1.6Ghz 2C, 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3-1066 system memory 14.0″ display @ 1366×768, Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit, 62Whr Li-Ion battery. The 2011 AMD C-50 Dual-Core Accelerated Processor demonstrated up to 735 minutes or 12.26 hours “all-day” battery life while idle and up to 379 minutes or 6.31 hours as an “active” metric using 3DMark ’06. The reference design consisted of a an AMD Dual-Core processor C-50 1.0Ghz 9W, 2GB (1x2GB) DDR3-1066 system memory, AMD Radeon(TM) HD 6250 Graphics with 10.1″ @ 1024×600, 6-cell Li-Ion, 62.2 Whr battery. LED Backlight Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit. All testing performed using a 6-cell Li-Ion, 62.2 Whr battery. AMD defines “all day” battery life as 8+ hours of idle time.
2. Based on performance per watt comparisons between AMD Fusion APUs and the AMD Athlon(TM) II P320 CPU combined with the AMD Mobility Radeon(TM) HD 4250 GPU. In testing conducted by AMD performance labs, AMD Fusion APUs demonstrated the following: A-Series — up to approximately 500 GFLOPS; E-Series/C-Series — up to approximately 90 GFLOPS at 18/9 W. In comparison, the AMD Athlon(TM) II P320 CPU and AMD Mobility Radeon HD 4250 GPU deliver a combined total of 74 GLOPS at 38 W.
3. Requires application support for AMD Accelerated Parallel Processing (APP) technology. AMD Accelerated Parallel Processing technology works with applications designed to take advantage of GPU acceleration capabilities.
4. Additional hardware (e.g. Blu-ray drive, HD or 10-bit monitor, TV tuner, HDMI connector, 3D enabled panels, 3D-enabled glasses/emitter, Blu-ray 3D drive) and/or software (e.g. multimedia applications, 3D content, 3D middleware, 3D games) are required for the full enablement of some features. Not all features may be supported on all components or systems — check with your component or system manufacturer for specific model capabilities and supported technologies.
5. Theoretical peak performance of the A-Series “Llano” APU.

Source: AMD