AMD Readies New Multi-GPU Technology for Fusion Llano APUs

[btarunr]

After a well-received launch of the Fusion "Zacate" accelerated processing unit (APU) for nettops and entry-level PCs, AMD's higher-performance APU, codenamed "Llano", is just around the corner. Llano is intended for use on mainstream desktops, business PCs, and all-in-one PCs, it is better geared for higher-resolution, visually-intensive computing. Its competitors include Intel's Core i3 and Core i5 dual-core processors. AMD is backing up this launch with a new multi-GPU technology which is both similar and different from Hybrid CrossFireX. The similar part is that the GPU embedded in the Fusion chip will work in tandem with a discrete AMD Radeon graphics card, the difference is that it can work with any HD 6000 series graphics card, and multiply the available display connectivity.

The Fusion Llano APU will be part of AMD's Lynx mainstream desktop platform. The Llano APU embeds two x86-64 processing cores that feature the latest SIMD extensions, a DirectX 11 compliant GPU, a dual-channel DDR3 memory controller, a PCI-Express 2.0 hub, and an interconnect to the Hudson M1 chipset. The APU gives out a PCI-Express 2.0 x16 port, which is configurable using external switching. AMD also ran its own internal tests to show the performance advantage the new multi-GPU technology will give. AMD's Lynx mainstream desktop platform is expected to launch a little later this year.



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[Hayder_Master]

all in one PC, interesting

 

[Solten]

Very promising. Llano FTW!

 

[HXL492]

waiting for quad APUs to come out . if theres any...

 

[Over_Lord]

Haha, recently Lucid announced something similar to this, nVidia has Optimus or something.

 

[ThomasK]

Haha, recently Lucid announced something similar to this, nVidia has Optimus or something.

Optimus is a technology that allows you to switch off the discrete gpu in a notebook when there's no intense visual power needed. It has nothing to do with Hybrid CrossfireX nor this new Multi-GPU technology that will be adopted on the upcoming Fusion Llano APU's.

 

[meirb111]

how much "around the corner" is it April,May,June?

 

[Fourstaff]

Yes plz, as long as the CPU don't suck.

 

[Imsochobo]

Yes plz, as long as the CPU don't suck.

It is stars cpu's.
So you can perhaps expect 3-3.2 ghz phenom II (improved somewhat) with HD5670 performance.

Rough estimate though, but its what to expect.
In 2012 comes bulldozer with fusion.

Hope this clarified it abit, it will definately smack some I3. aka mainstream.

 

[ToTTenTranz]

So Llano + HD6670 will give us ~HD5750/HD6750 performance.

Sounds very interesting, mainly for notebooks.

 

[Swamp Monster]

Interesting, I am waiting for reviews. I hope power consumption will be low.

 

[HalfAHertz]

It is stars cpu's.
So you can perhaps expect 3-3.2 ghz phenom II (improved somewhat) with HD5670 performance.

Rough estimate though, but its what to expect.
In 2012 comes bulldozer with fusion.

Hope this clarified it abit, it will definately smack some I3. aka mainstream.

No it will actually be more like the quad core athlons because it will lack l3 cache. They had to cut it to make room for the graphics core

 

[Over_Lord]

Optimus is a technology that allows you to switch off the discrete gpu in a notebook when there's no intense visual power needed. It has nothing to do with Hybrid CrossfireX nor this new Multi-GPU technology that will be adopted on the upcoming Fusion Llano APU's.

my bad

 

[bucketface]

looks like AMD will finally bring some competition to the mainstream laptop and all in one pc's. though i suspect that the cpu side may lag behind the intel equivalents the gfx may give a better performance than the competition.

 

[NC37]

Graphics certainly will. Intel has never been competent in making competitive graphics. Course, regular consumers won't care till they want to run certain apps that won't run on Intel graphics .

 

[Thatguy]

Graphics certainly will. Intel has never been competent in making competitive graphics. Course, regular consumers won't care till they want to run certain apps that won't run on Intel graphics .

Consumers have proven time and again that they love ey candy. Humans like shiny. This will allow for OEM's to put out customized SHINY versions of installed OS's for humans and humans like shiny. Turn up the desktop effects.

 

[Mussels]

brilliant for crossfire users, they can use the IGP's ports and have the other cards turn off to save power when just bumming around on the desktop.

 

[Thatguy]

brilliant for crossfire users, they can use the IGP's ports and have the other cards turn off to save power when just bumming around on the desktop.

Yes !

 

[AsRock]

brilliant for crossfire users, they can use the IGP's ports and have the other cards turn off to save power when just bumming around on the desktop.

You mean like HybridPower ?. If so that be great if ATI got on to that as i have been waiting on that from AMD\ATI for so long now.

 

[Mussels]

You mean like HybridPower ?. If so that be great if ATI got on to that as i have been waiting on that from AMD\ATI for so long now.

sounds like it, yes.

crossfire some 6K cards, route the outputs via the onboard... awesomesauce.

 

[wahdangun]

so its just like hydra multi GPU but exclusive to just HD 6XXXX

 

[Mussels]

so its just like hydra multi GPU but exclusive to just HD 6XXXX

not quite.


hydra lets you mix and match at will, this will require regular crossfireX + llano


so you cnat have a 6770 + 6870 + llano for crossfire purpose

6870+6870+llano will work peachy however.

 

[wahdangun]

not quite.


hydra lets you mix and match at will, this will require regular crossfireX + llano


so you cnat have a 6770 + 6870 + llano for crossfire purpose

6870+6870+llano will work peachy however.

i mean Llano can be CFied with any HD 6XXXX card

like 6870+llano, or even HD 6970+llano and still gain a little bit performance, thats why i said its like hydra

 

[AsRock]

sounds like it, yes.

crossfire some 6K cards, route the outputs via the onboard... awesomesauce.

Totally awesome having on board with 2 6870's and only using 10w while visiting TPU . It's one reason i have not upgraded as i am not much for nvidia chipsets.

I think thats what they are trying \ want to do now after seeing the power idle usage of the 5xxx \ 6xxx ranges.

And if this does that by a year it be much more mature which be right on time for me.