Tuesday, July 19th 2011
AMD Readies A8-3870 APU with Unlocked BClk Multiplier
After a modest launch of two Fusion A8 series desktop accelerated processing units (APUs) with A6-3650 and A8-3850, AMD is planning to launch a new APU that's better equipped for overclocking. The new A8-3870 APU will feature an unlocked base clock (BClk) multiplier that makes overclocking easier. Currently, a BIOS bug that is spread across motherboard manufacturers, lets users "set" a higher multiplier value for A8-3850 than it's advertised or capable of responding to, resulting in a false illusionary overclock that doesn't yield any performance improvements over the default 29x multiplier value. More on that here.
The A8-3870 APU, however, will have a genuinely unlocked multiplier, increasing the multiplier value will genuinely increase clock speeds and performance. The A8-3870 is expected to have a default clock speed of 3.10 GHz, four x86-64 cores, the GPU component with 600 MHz core clock, 400 stream processor, DirectX 11 compliant Radeon HD 6550D graphics, and dual-channel DDR3-1866 MHz integrated memory controller. Leaked product cycle slides indicate that AMD will release the A8-3870 Unlocked APU in Q4 2011.
Source:
DonanimHaber
The A8-3870 APU, however, will have a genuinely unlocked multiplier, increasing the multiplier value will genuinely increase clock speeds and performance. The A8-3870 is expected to have a default clock speed of 3.10 GHz, four x86-64 cores, the GPU component with 600 MHz core clock, 400 stream processor, DirectX 11 compliant Radeon HD 6550D graphics, and dual-channel DDR3-1866 MHz integrated memory controller. Leaked product cycle slides indicate that AMD will release the A8-3870 Unlocked APU in Q4 2011.
21 Comments on AMD Readies A8-3870 APU with Unlocked BClk Multiplier
Review was what I thought it would be. GPU performance to blow Intel IGP out of the water, but not totally mature yet. I'm interested to see the 2nd gen APUs when AMD launches those. It is a shame AMD went with higher pricing. You'd think they'd be really trying to get the APU out there. I can just see that as hindering the adoption of APUs into the market.
Seriously, you can only expect so much at certain TDP level. I'd much rather see better graphics (higher operating frequency, possibly with at least 80 more SPs) than faster CPU. A8-3850 is fast enough to throw data around in games, it's the graphics portion that isn't able to keep up with it. 30+ FPS minimum is a must if APu is to be considered low end gaming worthy.
I wouldn't be surprised if the marketing guys have so much turnover that the same people aren't involved with each line of cards.
You guessed it, its the BClk multi :p
Wanted to use something like this chip, an ITX board and Windows 8 (rumored to play Xbox 360 games) to make an XBOX-360/pc. Could be a cheap and exciting computer if it plays XBOX games!
And it has been that way for more than 15 years .. officially , and registered.
Perhaps "XPU" would be a nice new one to use? Ya'kno, because it also SOUNDS cool with them youths and their edgy edges?
Wait, CPU might already stand for something else...
Whilst I can see the point of the Llano APU I am struggling to see the point of a multiplier unlocked version when the Phenom II x4 955BE exists.
Surely if you need the extra CPU grunt then the cheaper (in the UK) Phenom 955BE, cheaper 870/970 MB and discrete HD6670/5670 GPU would be a much better option than an unlocked APU?
I always wondered what a 32nm AM3 chip would be like, and I'd like to see how far this thing will go.