Previewing AMD's Brazos, Part 1: More Details on Zacate/Ontario and Fusion
by Anand Lal Shimpi on November 9, 2010 1:09 AM ESTThe Chipset err...Fusion Controller Hub
The Zacate/Ontario APUs have an integrated PCIe interface sporting 8 lanes. Four of those lanes are used for AMD’s Universal Media Interface (UMI) - a bus that links the APU to the Hudson FCH. The remaining four can be used for discrete graphics or a combination of discrete graphics and other PCIe controllers. Both PCIe interfaces can run at gen 1 or gen 2 transfer rates.
Display output naturally stems off of the APU. You can drive two displays in tandem over any combination of VGA or Display Port/DVI/HDMI/LVDS.
As I mentioned earlier, the APU sports a single channel memory controller - but you can install up to two DIMMs on that channel. Speeds are down from the 1333MHz system we tested at IDF, DDR3-1066 is the max you’ll officially see on a Brazos system.
The Hudson FCH supplies up to 14 USB 2.0 ports, 6 x 6Gbps SATA ports and another 4 PCIe lanes. The FCH is based on AMD’s SB800 series of South Bridges. Despite the small size, this is a full featured platform.
From the looks of it, AMD has all of the right ingredients for some very competitive entries in the mainstream and ultraportable notebook markets. Now it’s just up to the OEMs to build something cool out of it.
Check back in about a week for the full rundown on Zacate performance.
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Zingam - Tuesday, November 9, 2010 - link
Now that's a picture I like a lot! It is so nerdy! :DMr Perfect - Tuesday, November 9, 2010 - link
The picture of the test setup? Yeah, I like the Pro Networking! "Faceplates? We don't need no stinking faceplates!"Markstar - Tuesday, November 9, 2010 - link
...is when I can see something like this for the Desktop. Obviously this would be awesomeAlso, it becomes pretty apparent that AMD is falling behind more and more when it comes to the manufacturing process. TSMC's troubled 40nm process just doesn't cut it anymore and AMD's own process is pretty far behind as well.
Also, while I often tell people that they don't need to replace their 4 year old computer to check emails, 1/1.2GHz does sound a little low.
mino - Tuesday, November 9, 2010 - link
Q1, there are plenty of ITX designs in the pipe. I just hope someone is smart enough to do a bunch of mATX ones too.Nobody is proposing the 9W for desktops. Also, 1Ghz dual Bobcat shall be in the ballpark of "high-end" Atoms as far as GUI "snappiness" goes.
jabber - Tuesday, November 9, 2010 - link
I've been using a dual core 1.3GHz CULV setup for the past year and its been perfect.I cant tell any day to day difference between it and my 3.4GHz quadcore box.
The need for more CPU power for the day to day tasks mentioned in the article past a long time ago.
The 1.3GHz CULV benches almost as fast as a 3GHz P4D from a few years back. Plenty fast enough.
Remember this platform is aimed at mum and dad boxes. Also I've been farming out dual core Atom ION boxes for office use the past year. Had nothing but positive feedback. Customers love them. Big step up from all those 3GHz single core P4 or AthlonXP boxes they struggled with before.
All hail efficent low power for the mainstream.
Dark_Archonis - Tuesday, November 9, 2010 - link
That's going to be a potential problem for AMD. If people like their Atom boxes, what would entice them to switch to AMD Ontario or Zacate boxes?jabber - Tuesday, November 9, 2010 - link
Not sure thats an issue.Its about appealing to those that havent made any switch yet.
If my customer base is anything to go by there are masses of folks out there struggling along with 3GHz P4 boxes with 512MB of ram and 80GB slow HDDs
They think thats average PC performance. Give them anything under $500 new off the shelf and its a revelation to them.
We really will see a clear divergance of PC use over the next two years.
There will be the small group of hardcore gamers and benchmark junkies.
There will be the small group of specialists/developers/number crunchers.
Then there will be the rest whose CPU needs were met a long time ago and just need the ideal rounded package of CPU/GPU/Media to take care of them.
Dark_Archonis - Tuesday, November 9, 2010 - link
A lot of average people haven't even moved completely to HD videos yet. Current P4 boxes are actually enough for more people than you think.A Celeron or Atom box is enough for a lot of people. You're making an assumption that a large group of buyers *want* something more powerful than an Atom or Celeron, which are the price points Bobcat is aiming at. I think it's debatable how large such a group is.
khimera2000 - Wednesday, November 10, 2010 - link
I think that it will do well. sub 500 sounds fine, and i think there will be a significant group of people who will by this for there kids as there first machine. My brother go an atom job for his son and he hasent even broken out of grade school yet.for the old and intrench.. might be a struggle but for the younger kids i think AMD will do well since they spend most of the time farming on facebook, which will help with gpgpu and the 6xxx vid card.
Zoomer - Tuesday, November 9, 2010 - link
The Sim 5000.