AMD RS880 Details Trickle in

[btarunr]

AMD processors finally get to address DDR3 memory on the new AM3 socket. Compatible processors under the Phenom II and Athlon X3, X4 banners that come in AM3 socket packages, will run initially on updated AMD 7-series chipset variants, and later be succeeded by the the company's RD890 and RS880 chipset cores. HKEPC compiled some information on the RS880 core logic. The "RS" prefix for AMD GPG chipsets mark the presence of integrated graphics. Based on the performance efficiency of the RSx80 dice, they're branded into the mainstream RSx80 product (eg: RS780 for AMD 780G), RSx80C for a value product (eg: RS780C for AMD 740G) and a high-end RSx80D (eg: in AMD 790GX).

The RS880 will use feature-set refresh, though will embed a rather dated RV620-class graphics processor. The IGP will have DirectX 10.1 API compliance. Specifications-wise it is identical to the RS780, both sport 40 stream processors, 8 texture address and 4 texture filtering units, though the core speed on the RS880 is expected to be significantly higher. The feature-set refresh, as stated earlier, includes support for Universal Video Decoder 2 (UVD-2), in addition to 100% hardware acceleration for VC-1, H.264 and MPEG-2 bitstream decoding. Also provided is video dynamic-contrast. The IGP supports HDMI with audio routing, and DisplayPort. The chipset will be released in Q3 2009. Like the current RS780, the RS880 will be manufactured on the 55nm node of TSMC. It will be used on motherboards with companion SB710 or SB800 southbridge chips.



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[eidairaman1]

reason they wont use anything like a 1950 Pro on their Mobos is fact of heat generated and the complexity of power circuitry needed to run the chipset, imagine a 1950 pro heatsink on a motherboard (freaking Huge- ala Skulltrail)

 

[WarEagleAU]

3rd Quarter of next year huh, damn was hoping it would be out sooner for the newer phenoms coming out.

 

[Abu Assar]

I was hoping for a next-gen IGP , i.e 3450 or somethin'

but the same IGP as 780 with just higher clock !?

I don't know how it will perform , but it doesn't sound good either.

any way, I believe they have smart engineers there who defiantly will choose the best solution available.

thanks for the news !

 

[Mussels]

the onboard radeon 3200 (in the 780G chipset) is in fact, a 3450 without dedicated ram. I have one in my media PC. thats why they're crossfire capable.

The ''clocked significantly higher" is probably related to the fact mines stock at 500MHz, yet i can OC it to over 1GHz without any trouble.

 

[btarunr]

In the RS880-D configuration, they should be able to use the sideport to access dedicated DDR3 memory, like we have in some of today's 790 GX boards.

 

[tkpenalty]

Hybrid Crossfire with every HD4xxx/3xxx/future 5xxx would be nice.

 

[Darknova]

Hybrid Crossfire with every HD4xxx/3xxx/future 5xxx would be nice.

I'd love that. Just got a 790GX board, and was disappointed to see that only 2 cards (from what I read in the manual) were compatible with Hybrid Crossfire

Still, looks like a good update, but I don't think it'll be something everyone should run out and buy unless DDR3 is necessary, and considering most current AM2+ boards will be compatible with AM3 it might take some time before current users upgrade.

 

[Flyordie]

but Windows 7 doesn't support Hybrid Crossfire/SLI. ;-) So thats a bust.

 

[mdm-adph]

Wonder why they took a step back to the RV620?

 

[Octavean]

3rd Quarter of next year huh, damn was hoping it would be out sooner for the newer phenoms coming out.

Well, this is only for AM3 which we knew would take a bit longer. Phenom II should be here way before Q3 2009. If you want fries with that, er,...I mean if you want DDR3 with Phenom II you'll have to wait a little longer.

Not sure that DDR3 will make much of a difference with respect to performance but right now it will burn a bigger hole in your pocket

 

[Mussels]

Wonder why they took a step back to the RV620?

now i could be fuzzy, isnt RV620 the radeon 3200 already in use? its half memory half guess.

If they're reusing the 780G chipset, doesnt that make sense?


the problem with the crossfire with teh onboard is that it still requires matching GPU's. that meaans anything with the same core as the 3450 - only the sloooow cards.

 

[ASharp]

but Windows 7 doesn't support Hybrid Crossfire/SLI. ;-) So thats a bust.

From what I understand, Windows 7 doesn't support it natively. With that being said, Crossfire/SLI can still be implemented via drivers from ATI and NVIDIA (as it currently is now).

 

[Flyordie]

Yes, Sharp, but I will wait till more information comes out to make a firmer decision. So I will consider it non-working until proven otherwise. ;-)

 

[mdm-adph]

now i could be fuzzy, isnt RV620 the radeon 3200 already in use? its half memory half guess.

If they're reusing the 780G chipset, doesnt that make sense?


the problem with the crossfire with teh onboard is that it still requires matching GPU's. that meaans anything with the same core as the 3450 - only the sloooow cards.

I guess I'm just confused -- I coulda swore the graphics core in the 780G was called the RS780 and wasn't the same as just a bare RV620.

 

[Zubasa]

I guess I'm just confused -- I coulda swore the graphics core in the 780G was called the RS780 and wasn't the same as just a bare RV620.

RS780 is the name of that whole northbrige. The IGP is still based on the RV620.

 

[mdm-adph]

Wonder why they don't stick a RV635 core in there, just for fun -- the power draw wouldn't be that much more, but the performance would be great.

 

[Darknova]

Yes, Sharp, but I will wait till more information comes out to make a firmer decision. So I will consider it non-working until proven otherwise. ;-)

Microsoft did say they weren't going to natively support Hybrid Crossfire/SLi as they saw no reason to as the uptake has been slim, BUT they also said that didn't stop nvidia or ATi adding support in with their drivers.

 

[cdawall]

Wonder why they don't stick a RV635 core in there, just for fun -- the power draw wouldn't be that much more, but the performance would be great.

then there would be no reason to upgrade this is still got something to do with money if you can play crysis @med settings on an IGP why bother dropping $150 more on a 4850 just to et it to high settings?

 

[kysg]

going back to the rv620 so bites.... allthough there are 780G and 790GX boards that have the sideport memory on them they are only good for lightweight, probably featherweight tasks, and movies, and HTPC tasks.

and hybrid crossfire gets chucked out the window because you can only use 4 gpus with it, two of which are now decommisioned. 2400XT, 2400pro, 3450, 3470.

I wish they could have tried something like adding the 3650's gpu, or the a 4 series GPU in there, just to improvements and take home integrated and low-end segment. ah-well just will windows 7 was supposed to be the end to IGP graphics so who knows.

 

[mdm-adph]

then there would be no reason to upgrade this is still got something to do with money if you can play crysis @med settings on an IGP why bother dropping $150 more on a 4850 just to et it to high settings?

Because crysis at medium settings is never going to be enough -- call me crazy, but no matter how great an IGP is, people are still going to upgrade.

I had a 3650, played fine, and even I still upgraded to a 4670 the week they came out, and I'm a frugal buyer.

The people who are going to be satisfied with an IGP are going to be satisfied with an IGP -- doesn't matter what type it is. Remember, most people still use just plain old Intel Integrated Graphics, and they're more than happy with it.

I just wanted to see them stick a 3650 in there to see the technical achievement, which would be pretty neat, you have to admit.

 

[Darknova]

I'm currently using the onboard of my 790GX (4870 has gone back for RMA ) and it's just not fast enough. My desktop experience is no longer silky smooth as it used to be, unless I disable Aero in which case it flys. So I'd love to see a better IGP added to the new boards, just so we don't have to suffer crappy onboard if our graphics cards die

 

[mdm-adph]

I'd just love to see ATI adopt the hybrid system that I think nvidia's moving full-speed ahead with -- using the onboard graphics during regular 2D system-management stuff, and powering down the discrete graphics card competely when not in use.

That way, a 3650-type IGP would be perfect for anything Vista Aero or Linux Compiz effect that would be thrown at it, and something like a 4870 would be turned on when you started up a game.

Come on, ATI -- get started.

 

[Darknova]

I'd just love to see ATI adopt the hybrid system that I think nvidia's moving full-speed ahead with -- using the onboard graphics during regular 2D system-management stuff, and powering down the discrete graphics card competely when not in use.

That way, a 3650-type IGP would be perfect for anything Vista Aero or Linux Compiz effect that would be thrown at it, and something like a 4870 would be turned on when you started up a game.

Come on, ATI -- get started.

That's EXACTLY how I want my PC to be. Use my onboard for desktop, and GPU for games. Unfortunately they can't seem to get different GPUs working in Hybrid Crossfire

 

[Mussels]

my 780G works just fine running aero, at the low res i use.

i want the hybrid crossfire/SLI as well. the power/noise savings would be immense.