Project update DRIVERSTORER IS NOW STORERCAD.

You are viewing an archived DriverStorer page. The original material remains available below.

Explore STORERCAD

DriverStorer archive

From the DriverStorer archive

Preserved for old bookmarks, shared links, and search results.

AMD FM1 Socket motherboards, APUs available now.

Originally published August 16, 2011

What is an AMD APU?

AMD APU- CPU and GPU on a single dye

Newegg is currently carrying AMD FM1 socket motherboards, and APU processors (GPU/CPU combined on one chip)

AMD A8-3850 Llano 2.9GHz 4MB L2 Cache Socket FM1 100W Quad-Core Desktop APU AD3850WNGXBOX

ASUS F1A75-M PRO FM1 AMD A75 (Hudson D3) HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard with UEFI BIOS

 

What is an Accelerated Processing Unit? (APU)


At the most basic level, AMD’s new Accelerated Processing Units combine general-purpose x86 CPU cores with programmable vector processing engines on a single silicon die. AMD’s APUs also include a variety of critical system elements, including memory controllers, I/O controllers, specialized video decoders, display outputs, integrated device drivers and bus interfaces, but real appeal of these chips stems from the inclusion of both scalar and vector hardware as full-fledged processing elements. Others have lashed a CPU and a basic graphics unit together in a single package, but none have attempted this feat with truly  programmable GPUs like those in the AMD Fusion designs, let alone GPUs that can be programmed using high-level industry-standard tools like DirectCompute and OpenCL.  AMD is best situated to address this engineering challenge, as it is currently the only company which has access to extensive IP resources (e.g. patents and engineering expertise) in both x86 processor technology and industry-leading GPU technology. In fact, AMD’s recognition that it needed proven GPU technology for future converged products drove its 2006 acquisition of ATI Technologies. AMD’s APUs are set to arrive in a variety of shapes and sizes adapted to the requirements of their target markets. AMD has disclosed that its first APUs, code-named “Llano” and “Ontario,” are designed for mainstream desktop and notebook platforms and “thin and light”

read more about Fusion, and APUs at AMD