AMD has today introduced its new codename Llano processors to the market. These will be two of the “Fusion APU’s” which are processors with built in graphics cores. These particular releases will be for desktop FM1 systems only, the Mobile Llano’s will come a bit later. Both the A6-3650 and A8-3850 are based on the latest 32nm fabrication process which Intel introduced a lot earlier with their Sandy Bridge processors.
The A6-3850 is the lower end model with 4 cores @ 2.6GHz and a respectable 320 on board graphics stream processors forming the HD 6530D. The A8-3850 has 4 cores @ 2.9GHz and 400 on board graphics stream processors forming the HD 6550D. Both APU’s will be equipped with 4MB of cache and a TDP of 100W.
Pricing is st at $135 for the A8-3850 and $115 A6-3650, which is reasonably competitive given the superiority of the AMD vision graphics of the Intel HD graphics, although some analysts are suggesting lower prices will be needed for AMD to stand up against the superior Sandy Bridge CPU’s.
Not long now, we have waited what seems for ever to see what AMD has to offer. Held of on Sandy for this time to find out if it was the right thing to do.